A Dungannon-based Post Office are among the first in the country to receive new 5p coins bearing King Charles III’s effigy.
Located within The Oaks Centre in Dungannon, The Oaks Post Office have proudly showcased their first batch of coins which are now available to enter into circulation.
The aptly named Oaks Post Office in Dungannon – one of eight branches chosen because they have names symbolising connections to Oak – have received an amount of the new 5p coin featuring the King’s effigy and an oak leaf design on the other side.
It’s the first design change for the 5p in circulation in 17 years. The coins – dated and minted in October 2023 – are being released due to increased demand for the 5p denomination, marking a significant milestone in British numismatic history.
The Royal Mint has announced that 23.2 million King Charles III’s first 5p coins are entering circulation across the UK, creating another opportunity for coin collectors and the public to find these historic pieces in their everyday change.
Postmaster Sean Ferry is an avid coin collector, so he is excited that his branch – which he took on in February 2024 with his wife and son – is involved in the publicity.
There are oak trees on Oaks Road leading all the way up to The Oaks Shopping Centre. Oaks are also part of the native woodlands in the Dungannon region of Northern Ireland, which include species such as the sessile oak and pedunculate oak.
Since the introduction of His Majesty’s portrait on UK coinage in 2022, collectors have been eagerly seeking coins bearing the new royal effigy.
With King Charles III coins representing approximately 0.2% of the 24.605 billion coins currently in circulation across the UK, these new 5p pieces are highly sought after by both seasoned numismatists and those new to coin collecting.
