Post Office among first to receive new King coins

A Post Office in Dungannon will be one of the first in the UK to receive a batch of the first 5p coins bearing King Charles III’s portrait.

The Oaks Post Office in the County Tyrone town, which is in the Oaks Shopping Centre on the Oaks Road, has been chosen because the 5p coins feature an oak leaf design on the other side.

It is one of eight branches to be chosen – along with five in England, one in Wales and one in Scotland.

The new coins were minted and dated in October 2023 but are only being released now due to increased demand for 5p pieces.

There will be 23.2 million entering circulation.

Postmaster Sean Ferry, an avid coin collector who runs the branch with his wife Olga and son Joe, said he was excited to get his hands on the new coins.

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coins at the Royal Mint, said it was the first time the design of the 5p coin had changed since 2008.

She said it “represents the deep connection between our monarchy and the natural world” and reflects the King’s “lifelong dedication to environmental conservation”.

The eight post office branches have been chosen because they either have “oak” in their name or are close to famous oak trees.

The 5p featuring the King is the third denomination to enter circulation, after the 50p and £1 coins bearing his likeness.

Only about 0.2% of the 24.6 billion coins in circulation in the UK bear his portrait, with the rest featuring his mother Elizabeth II.