With just over seven million 10p coins featuring the Capercaillie entering circulation, there will soon be more of the bird in people’s change than there are left in the wild across the UK as the species is so threatened it is on the critical ‘red list’.

The Royal Mint confirmed 600,000 2023 dated and 6.5m 2026 dated King Charles III’s 10p coins have been released and will be available across the UK. This is the first time a 10p coin bearing the King’s portrait will enter circulation.

With King Charles III coins representing approximately 1% of the 24.142 billion coins currently in circulation across the UK, these new 10p pieces will be highly sought after by both seasoned numismatists and those new to coin collecting, the Royal Mint said.

Rebecca Morgan, director at The Royal Mint, said: ‘This is a landmark moment for the nation’s coinage, as people begin finding the very first 10p coins bearing The King’s portrait in their change.

‘It’s what’s on the reverse (tails) that makes this coin truly remarkable, the Capercaillie, a bird found only in the Scottish Highlands, and one now teetering on the edge of extinction. We hope that by putting this extraordinary bird into millions of pockets and purses, we can spark a nationwide conversation about a species at real risk of vanishing from Britain forever.’

The coin design is part of His Majesty’s Definitive collection, inspired by the flora and fauna of the British Isles and highlighting King Charles III’s passion for conservation. The coins will be available through post offices and bank branches nationwide.

King Charles already features on £5, £10, £20 and £50 banknotes, running alongside the notes featuring the portrait of  the late Queen Elizabeth II and all remain legal tender and in active circulation, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal environmental impact and cost.  

The next big development for the Royal Mint will be the rollout of the new banknotes featuring British animals, with the final animals to be confirmed by the end of 2026.

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