Shoppers may find ‘a piece of history’ among the change in their purse this week with the release of five million new coins to mark the coronation of King Charles.

Post Office branches and banks across the country are to start feeding the new-look 50p pieces into circulation from Thursday morning.

The special coin is the second 50p - bearing the King’s official coin portrait - to enter circulation.

The first was the Memorial 50p, released in December last year, which marked the historic transition from Queen Elizabeth to King Charles, following the Queen’s death in September 2022.

While one side of the new coin (heads) carries the new monarch’s official portrait, the reverse – or tails – features Westminster Abbey, in a nod to the location of the coronation.

In the centre of the coin, created by Royal Mint designer Natasha Jenkins, is the King’s official cypher.

All 50p coins entering circulation will feature His Majesty’s uncrowned portrait, says The Royal Mint, differing from the commemorative coronation coins unveiled to the public earlier this year.

That collection proved popular with people globally - with coin collectors from 89 countries buying it directly from The Royal Mint.

Rebecca Morgan from The Royal Mint, said staff expect this release to be just as popular.

She said: “This is a special moment for the nation, as members of the public will have the opportunity to find a piece of history in their change.

“We anticipate the coronation 50p coins will be highly sought after among coin collectors and members of the public keen to own a piece of British history.”

A 50 pence piece is Britain's most collectable coin, says The Royal Mint, and provides 'the ideal canvas' for a commemorative design.

In 2021 it released a list of Britain’s rarest 50p pieces in circulation – with a 2009 Kew Gardens coin at the top of the chart.

All UK coins bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender and in active circulation.

Historically, says the Royal Mint, it has been commonplace for coins featuring different monarchs to co-circulate to ensure a smooth transition with minimal environmental impact or additional cost.

There are approximately 27 billion coins currently circulating in the UK bearing the profile of Queen Elizabeth II.

These will be replaced over time as they become damaged or worn in response to the demand for additional coins.