King Charles III Effigy Unveiling for New Canadian Coins
By thecanadiannumismatist | Tuesday, 14 November 2023
A ceremony at the Mint's Winnipeg manufacturing facility took place to unveil the effigy His Majesty King Charles III that will appear on the obverse of all Canadian coins. this ceremony occured the same date of his birth, on November 14, 1948. The first strike of the new circulation coin bearing the new image was also made.
The mint said a small amount of 2023-dated coins with the King are to circulate in early December. Coin exchanges are set to take place later in the month at the mint's Ottawa and Winnipeg boutiques.
Since opening its doors in 1908, the Mint has featured the portrait of the reigning monarch on Canadian coins. When the Government of Canada announced that the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III would appear on Canadian coins, we were proud to once more uphold a longstanding Canadian tradition. Many of our employees worked as one to meet the historic challenge, and we are pleased to be ready for production on the day of His Majesty’s birthday.
- Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint
By Steven Rosati, a Canadian artist, was chosen to create the portrait of Charles II. Rosati designed other coins for the institution, including six silver National Hockey League goalie coins and a circulating 1 dollar 2017 to commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
I am honoured and humbled to have had my design of His Majesty King Charles III’s effigy chosen for such a prestigious moment in the history of Canadian coins and very excited and proud to eventually see it in production. I am also very grateful to be among the many talented artists who have done designs for the Royal Canadian Mint.
- Steven Rosati
Mr. Rosati is only the third Canadian artist to have designed a royal effigy for Canada’s coinage since 1990. He is preceded by Dora de Pédery-Hunt (1990-2002) and Susanna Blunt (2003-2023).
Rolls and sets will be also sold by the Mint.
The design process
Invitations
An email invitation was sent to more than 350 artists as well as to Mint engravers.
Instructions
Each artist and engraver who responded with a notice of interest and a required portfolio of portrait was evaluated. Each shortlisted artist and engraver was receive an artist brief outlining mandatory design requirements.
Selection
Design concepts were evaluated by an internal Mint review panel that judged submissions based on aesthetics, technical requirements and mass-production suitability.
Approvals
The winning design was submitted for necessary government and Buckingham Palace approvals.
Preparations
The Mint began the engraving and tooling process where dies are created to strike the coins.
Striking
Production, or striking, of new circulation coins began.
Charles III already appeared on some circulating, collector and bullion coins in various countries before and after his coronation. Here are some examples:
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. The Mint also produces collector coins, bullion products, as well as Canada's military and civilian honours.
Queen Elizabeth II, longest-serving monarch, has died on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
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