Brittany Hobson, Canadian Press
Published Monday, November 13, 2023 at 7:13 PM ET
The first Canadian coins featuring King Charles’ face will soon be in circulation across the United States.
The Royal Mint of Canada in Winnipeg will on Tuesday display a model of the king that appears on one side of all Canadian coins.
For the first time, a portrait of a monarch will be imposed on a madman.
The Mint announced that small quantities of the King’s coins dated 2023 will be put into circulation in early December. Coin exchanges are scheduled to take place later that month at Mint boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg.
The image features the work of Canadian portrait artist Stephen Rosati, who has designed other coins for the Mint, including six National Hockey League goaltender silver coins and the 100th Anniversary Rooney honoring the Toronto Maple Leafs. It has been.
According to the Mint’s website, more than 350 artists and sculptors were invited to submit their portfolios to the judging panel.
The shortlisted artists were given mandatory design requirements and their work was judged on aesthetics, technical requirements and suitability for mass production. Part of the design is a profile to the left of the King’s face opposite a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The winning design was sent to Buckingham Palace for approval.
The Mint said it has used Canadian artists to design royal statues since 1990 as a way to showcase their talents.
Earlier this year, the federal government directed the Mint and the Bank of Canada to replace the Queen’s likeness on coins and the $20 bill with one of the monarchs.
The Mint previously released collector coins in solid gold and silver to commemorate the coronation of the king.
The king ascended the throne in September 2022 following the death of his 96-year-old mother, who ruled for 70 years. He celebrated the beginning of his reign with a glamorous coronation ceremony attended by world leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Other Commonwealth countries are also moving to replace the Queen’s image.
Australia will use its first gold dollar coin to feature the portrait of a king. The country expects about 10 million dollar coins to be in circulation by Christmas.
All Canadian coins still in circulation under the Queen are considered legal tender.
— With files from The Associated Press
