The death of the Queen will result in numerous alterations to British institutions, such as the regal succession and the words of the national song. However, one of the most significant alterations will be made to British money, which has the Queen’s portrait.
According to The Coin Expert, there have been five distinct pictures of the Queen on British banknotes and coins since she ascended to the throne in 1952.
Now that her son Charles is king, British money will include his portrait.
The portrait of King Charles III will eventually appear on British currency, although it will likely take many years.
According to The Coin Expert, the process of replacing the Queen’s portrait with the new monarch’s will take several years due to the number of banknotes now in circulation.
There are currently about 4.7 billion Bank of England notes in circulation, according to the bank’s website, and over 29 billion coins, according to the Royal Mint.
A spokeswoman for the Bank of England informed Insider that all banknotes containing the Queen’s portrait remain legal money, and additional information will be provided once the time of mourning has ended.
British banknotes and coins bearing the portrait of the Queen.
through Getty Images: Karol Serewis/SOPA Images/LightRocket
In spite of the fact that the Queen succeeded her father, King George VI, in 1952, she did not appear on a Bank of England note until 1960. Robert Austin’s portrait of her was featured on the original £1 note. According to the Bank of England, the portrait was condemned for being a harsh and unrealistic representation of the subject.
The Bank of England included a new portrait of the Queen by Reynolds Stone on the £5 note in 1963 and the £10 note in 1964. Roger Withington drew the most recent portrait of the Queen for banknotes in 1990.
The UK will not be the only country to change its money after the death of the Queen.
According to Guinness World Records, the Queen’s portrait appears on the currency of at least 33 different countries, more than any other living monarch.
Canadian currency from 1988.
DeAgostini/Getty Images
The following countries have issued coins depicting the Queen: Canada, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, East Caribbean States, Jamaica, Turks Caicos, Falkland Islands, St. Helena, Tristan da Cunha, South Africa, Rhodesia, East Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, Seychelles, Hong Kong, Malaya The United Kingdom, British Borneo, Australia, New Zealand, Tokelau, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man.
The Queen was the head of state in the majority of these Commonwealth countries. The portrait of the Queen may be replaced by one of the new head of state of the Commonwealth. However, just as the Commonwealth countries have their own currencies and banknote designs, they will also determine a new image through their own process.
Buckingham Palace representatives did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.