News in Brief

RAM Unveils New Effigy for Circulating Coinage

The Australian government has unveiled the effigy of HM King Charles III, which will soon start appearing on circulating coins produced by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM).

Designed by Dan Thorne from the UK’s The Royal Mint, the effigy has been approved by the King and, in a departure from the current coin design, does not feature a crown atop the monarch’s head. According to Leigh Gordon, RAM CEO, the Mint intends to produce ten million of the new coins by Christmas.

The first coin to feature the King’s effigy will be the $1, which will begin appearing in banks across the country before the end of the year. The other denominations will be progressively released in 2024, based on bank demand. RAM has already said that it will continue to use the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Obverse until May 2024.