The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra has released an effigy of King Charles III head that will appear on $1 coins before Christmas time.

The coin was designed by Martin Jennings who says it was a “privilege to sculpt”.

“It is the smallest work I have created, but it is humbling to know it will be seen and held by people around the world for centuries to come,” he said.

Jennings’ portrait of the king was sculpted from a photograph that was passed by the Royal Mint in London and approved by Buckingham Palace.

The coin will see the king without a crown.

Royal Australian Mint chief executive Leigh Gordon says the only way to get the new edition is by scrapping card payments.

“The best way for you to access one of those coins … is to use cash. If you use cash, and you get change, you increase your chance of getting a coin,” she said.

This year the mint plans to introduce 10 million King Charles III $1 coins and introduce the effigy on different currencies by 2024.

Photo: Cluster of Australian Dollar Coins by Karen Laårk Boshoff available HERE and used under a Creative Commons license. This image has not been modified.