Special 50p coins featuring King Charles III have just been released into general circulation and many will be checking their change for them in the coming days.

However, coins with Queen Elizabeth II on them remain legal tender and will do until they are too worn or damaged to be used.

And that could take some time because, as the new coins entered tills and pockets around the country, the Royal Mint confirmed how much of its money from the old reign remains in use. And the figure is huge – 27 billion coins.

Her Late Majesty, who reigned for 70 years, featured on more coins than any other British monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II was first seen on coins in 1952, months after her accession. In total, there were five official portraits of Her Late Majesty used on coins.

Her long reign also saw the biggest change to British money in generations. In 1971, decimalisation took place, bringing a new range of coins into use.

It will be several years before the last coins featuring Queen Elizabeth II come out of circulation. Money with King Charles III’s image on it is now co-circulating with that depicting his mother.

The new 50p marks his Coronation with five million coins being put into use on August 10th 2023.