The queen is dead ... effigy opportunitines??

[Mister T]

Yes that was quick for a new design: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63073983

Apparently done from photos and not from a sitting.

[Sapyx]

I'm sure surprised at how quick the new portrait was created and approved.

Here's the Royal Mint press release: https://www.royalmint.com/stories/collect/his-majesty-the-kings-official-coinage-portrait/

I can only assume there was pressure from the Mint's marketing department, to not have the entire NCLT production line grind to a halt for several months while a new portrait was chosen.

At least Charles III wasn't as fussy about the portrait as his grand-uncle was.

[redlock]

I'm sure surprised at how quick the new portrait was created and approved.

I think it has been planned for quite some time. Otherwise, creation and approval wouldn't have happened this fast.
So much for ''we don't do it while the reigning monarch still lives.''

I wonder if the RCM and RAM have been surprised by it. It'll be very interesting to see how fast they come up with a portrait of Charles III -- either this ome or one of their own.
New coins, especially NCLT, need to be ready for the holiday season.

[Mister T]

I can only assume there was pressure from the Mint's marketing department, to not have the entire NCLT production line grind to a halt for several months while a new portrait was chosen.

No doubt - time is money.

Anyway, doesn't look too bad, though something about the eyes seems a bit off - they're too small or too closed I think.

[gweidion]

I doubt RAM will bother to create it's own likeness. There shouldn't be any delay in the 2023 issue if adopted quickly.
Personally, if I was Charlie, I wouldn't be happy with the bits behind and below his ear.

[Sapyx]

[quote="redlock" pid='127108' dateline='1664558916']

I think it has been planned for quite some time. Otherwise, creation and approval wouldn't have happened this fast.
So much for ''we don't do it while the reigning monarch still lives.''

I wonder if the RCM and RAM have been surprised by it. It'll be very interesting to see how fast they come up with a portrait of Charles III -- either this ome or one of their own.
New coins, especially NCLT, need to be ready for the holiday season.
[/quote]
I think it's more a case of "dispensing with the tradition of needing a formal portrait sitting", rather than having pre-made portraits lined up and ready to go. The Royal Mint press release indicates the artist worked off recent photographs. Though it's entirely possible the Mint had pre-selected their artist of choice, so perhaps he got in some practice artwork before getting the official call-up. The most recent "official coinage portrait" of Charles III, made back in 2008 when he was still Prince Charles for a coin commemorating his 60th birthday, was made by Ian Rank Broadley, who had also designed the Queen's coinage portrait in use at the time. That 14 year old portrait is, obviously, out of date, not to mention facing the wrong way.

And yes, the RAM seem to have been caught off guard by the haste made by the Royal Mint in making this announcement so soon. The RAM's FAQ page, written back on 13/9/22, still has the "over a year" timetable they originally estimated.

[quote="gweidion" pid='127110' dateline='1664599405']
I doubt RAM will bother to create it's own likeness. There shouldn't be any delay in the 2023 issue if adopted quickly.
Personally, if I was Charlie, I wouldn't be happy with the bits behind and below his ear.
[/quote]

The Mint has already announced they won't be going it alone this time, but accepting whatever the Royal Mint gives them.

[JeffH]

Philip Lowe, Governor of the Reserve Bank said tis at the Reserve Bank Board Dinner last night;
"The Reserve Bank is also responsible for the design of Australia's banknotes. Given this, we are currently considering the design of the $5 banknote following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. We recognise that this is an issue that is of national interest and there is a long tradition of the monarch being on Australia's banknotes. Indeed, the monarch has been on at least one of Australia's banknotes since 1923 and was on all our notes until 1953. Given this tradition and the national significance of the issue, the Bank is consulting with the Australian Government regarding whether or not the new $5 banknote should include a portrait of King Charles III. We will make a decision after this consultation with the government is complete."

The RBA is independent of the government but is consulting the government. Is it a case of, knowing the issue is contentious, they want someone else to blame for the decision if the design is not popular?

Remarks at the Reserve Bank Board Dinner

[JeffH]

King Charles won't be on our next $5 note

[redlock]

King Charles won't be on our next $5 note

I am not too deeply informed by Australian politics. But this decision does not surprise me. As far as I underastand it there is a ''republican movement'' and, moreover, wokeness is going global. At least Charles will be on the coins.

[Triggersmob]

Just heard they are looking at putting on a first nations design of some sort.

[autocoupler]

The first Australians aye. Just my slant on this issue and not intentionally trying to upset anyone.

I don't really care who or what is represented on our bank notes and coins, I just wish we would stop banging on about first nation.

Whenever science breaks new ground in the name of history, in many cases they are correcting a previous error. There is much more knowledge to unfold in my opinion. 

Anyhow, my Wife and I both have family connections to people who arrived in the very early days of European settlement, just another phase in the ongoing population of our island continent. Does this mean we be granted rights and privileges over and above more recent family whose parents arrived after WW11. Absolutely not!