Over seven million 10p pieces featuring the King’s portrait are being released into general UK circulation for the first time, and will soon begin appearing in everyday pockets and wallets nationwide.

The Royal Mint confirmed that 600,000 coins bearing a 2023 date alongside 6.5 million carrying a 2026 date are being distributed across the country to meet a heightened demand for the 10p denomination.

Entering public use from August 25, this marks the initial occasion that 10p coins showcasing Charles’s image have gone into circulation. They represent the fourth coin denomination to feature the monarch’s portrait, following the progressive introduction of 5p, 50p and £1 coins since 2022.

UK coins bearing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender and in active circulation, with the aim of ensuring a smooth transition with minimal environmental impact and cost.

With Charles coins representing just 1% of the 24.142 billion coins in circulation across the UK, the new 10p coins will be highly sought after, the Mint said.

The new 10p coins feature the capercaillie bird on the reverse or “tails” side.

The design is part of a collection inspired by the flora and fauna of the British Isles, reflecting the King’s passion for conservation.

The coins will be available through post offices and bank branches.

Rebecca Morgan, director at the Royal Mint, said: “This is a landmark moment for the nation’s coinage, as people begin finding the very first 10p coins bearing the King’s portrait in their change.”

She said of the capercaillie bird appearing on coins: “We hope that by putting this extraordinary bird into millions of pockets and purses, we can spark a nationwide conversation about a species at real risk of vanishing from Britain forever.”

Some 10p coins will also be available at tills in the Royal Mint Experience, the Royal Mint’s visitor attraction based in South Wales.

A recent report from banking and finance industry body UK Finance found that a significant number of people still rely on cash.

It said around 1.4 million UK adults mainly use cash for their day-to-day spending, but 19 million use cash once a month or less frequently, reflecting a wide variation in people’s payment preferences.

Cash use fell to 3.9 billion payments in 2025, down from 4.3 billion the previous year, UK Finance said.

The report said that cash represented 8% of payments in 2025, falling from 9% in 2024 and 45% in 2015.

By 2035, cash use is expected to account for just 4% of payments made in the UK, with around two billion transactions, according to UK Finance.