Two Pence 2023 Red Squirrel (mint sets only), 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 and the date of issue: CHARLES III · DEI · GRA · REX · FID · DEF · 2023 ·. Translated from Latin, the legend means: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith.

In the right-hand part of the coin, the design depicts a red squirrel above pine needles and pine cones.

On the left, on two lines the value and denomination, 2 PENCE.

The background on the left has a pattern of repeating three interlocking letters C, a feature which takes its inspiration from history and the cypher of King Charles II (C for Charles, CC for Charles the Second, CCC for Charles III), and small diamonds.

The new definitive designs were released on 12 October 2023 in special collector sets.

To celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty, the obverses of the coins in the sets feature a small privy mark in the form of the Tudor Crown, which forms part of The King’s cypher and is used in representations of the Royal Arms, military badges and crown badges.

No coins of this type were struck for circulation in 2023.