http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...rait-of-The-Queen-will-be-used-next-year.html A new portrait of The Queen will be used on UK coins from next year, the Royal Mint has revealed. The image of Her Majesty used on newly-struck coins will be updated for the first time since 1998 after a competition is held to find a suitable depiction. The current coinage portrait of The Queen was designed by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS, and has been a constant presence on circulating and commemorative coins for 16 years. It is only the fifth definitive coin portrait to have been created during The Queen's 62 year reign, making it a rare and significant change for the coins we all use every day. The closed competition to choose a new image has been commissioned by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee and an undisclosed number of specialist designers will be invited to submit designs under anonymous cover. Related Articles Queen meets Emir of Qatar among Isil funding allegations 29 Oct 2014 Duke of Edinburgh seen wearing hearing aids for first time 28 Oct 2014 Queen hosts reception for Victoria Cross heroes 28 Oct 2014 Queen's warning to Scottish voters ends charade of impartiality 15 Sep 2014 Next year will also see the first 2015 dated coins to be released, such as the new 2015 Sovereign, which will be the last ever coins to feature the current effigy. Dating back to the 15th Century, The Sovereign was for many years the primary circulating gold coin not just in the UK but in many countries around the world. It was named The Sovereign because of the handsome portrait of the Monarch engraved on its obverse. This 2015 Sovereign will be a particularly special issue, as the early editions will feature the current portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley, while those struck in 2015 will be amongst the very first to feature the new effigy. Adam Lawrence, chief executive of The Royal Mint, said: "This change of effigy will make 2015 a vintage year for UK coins, and while it will be hugely exciting for us all to see the new design appear on the coins we use every day, we also believe it is right that The Sovereign, our most famous coin which gets its name from the fact that it carries an image of the monarch on its obverse, be among the first to carry both the current portrait on these new releases, and the new effigy when it is revealed."
