With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, many are wondering what will happen to Commonwealth banknotes and coins, which have bared the monarch’s likeness for much of her 70 years in office.
The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand are the most populous countries with the Queen’s image on their currency. Other Caribbean nations that use the Eastern Caribbean dollar are included. The Queen’s portrait can be seen on currency in many countries.
Tradition says that King Charles III will replace the Queen’s effigy on these countries’ currency.
Some Commonwealth countries have replaced the monarch’s image with something else in the past.
The four biggest countries with British monarchs have changed their currency.
There was some confusion as to whether the money was still valid after the queen died.
The Bank of England said this week that the Queen will continue to be legal tender in the United Kingdom.
The Queen is expected to be replaced on the U.K. currency by a portrait of King Charles III.
Replacing 4.5 billion sterling bank notes will take about two years, according to The Guardian.
The Queen’s image is featured on Canada’s currency. The final say on design changes is given to the Department of Finance.
A change in Monarch doesn’t require the replacement of circulation coins, according to the Royal Canadian Mint.
Some people are talking about replacing portraits of monarchs with new designs. According to an opinion poll conducted days after the Queen’s death, a majority of Canadians don’t want the face of King Charles III on currency.
