The Bank of England has issued its first banknotes featuring King Charles III, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The notes are slated to enter circulation in mid-2024, gradually replacing those portraying Charles’s late mother, who began appearing on paper money in 1960.
Over 4.7 billion Bank of England notes are in circulation, totaling approximately £82 billion ($99.8 billion). Since 1956 they have been printed at the Debden Printing Works, a high-security facility in Essex.
The Royal Mint, which creates the UK’s coins, has already released its money, which has a picture of the King made by sculptor Martin Jennings. There are currently 27 billion coins in circulation with the Queen’s face on them, which will be replaced when they wear out.
Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, author Jane Austen, painter JMW Turner, and mathematician Alan Turing will continue to appear on the reverse side of the new English banknotes.
