London: The UK’s Royal Mint announced the final set of coins featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II have entered circulation alongside coins depicting her heir King Charles III. The release includes 23.29 million of final £1 coins dated 2021 and 2022 featuring the Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept 8, 2022.

A new set of 7.565 million £1 coins bearing the portrait of Charles will circulate as the older ones are phased out. “This release represents a pivotal moment in British coinage history. As we release more of the King Charles III £1 coins into circulation alongside the final coins of Queen Elizabeth II, we’re witnessing the physical representation of our monarchy’s transition,” said an official.