Half Sovereign 2022 Memorial, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

The obverse of the coin displays the first definitive portrait of King Charles III, which shows his bare (uncrowned) head facing left.

Below the neck truncation in tiny letters, the artist's initials MJ (for Martin Jennings).

Around, the monarch's legend followed by the face value and date of issue: CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF ·. Translated from Latin: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith.

Within a beaded border, the reverse of the coin displays a dynamic interpretation of the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom. In its standard variant used outside of Scotland, the shield is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three passant guardant lions of England; in the second, the rampant lion and double tressure flory-counterflory of Scotland; and in the third, a harp for Ireland. The crest is a statant guardant lion wearing St Edward's Crown, himself on another representation of that crown standing on a knight's helmet.

The dexter (right) supporter is a likewise crowned English lion; the sinister (left), a Scottish unicorn. In the ground below, a thistle, Tudor rose and shamrock are depicted, representing Scotland, England and Ireland respectively.

The motto of English monarchs, DIEU ET MON DROIT (God and my Right), which has descended to the present royal family, is in a ribbon below, while a Garter circlet which surrounds the shield is inscribed with the Order of the Garter's motto, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE (from old French: Shame on he who thinks evil).

The designer's initials J.C (for Jody Clark) are in the right field.

On the ribbon below which has the motto, the date of issue 2022.

The coin was issued in Proof FDC grade for collectors (individually boxed, or in sets) on 15 November 2022.
On 1 February 2023 it was also released as bullion, packaged individually in a plastic capsule or blister card.