英王立造幣局、チャールズ国王の肖像公開　硬貨に使用

【ロンドンＡＦＰ＝時事】英王立造幣局は３０日、硬貨に使われるチャールズ国王の公式肖像を発表した。（写真は英彫刻家マーティン・ジェニングス氏が手掛けたチャールズ国王の肖像があしらわれた硬貨。王立造幣局提供）
　肖像が最初に使われるのは、エリザベス女王の生涯を記念する特別な５ポンド硬貨と５０ペンス硬貨。５ポンド記念硬貨の裏面には、エリザベス女王の新たな肖像２点も使われる。
　肖像を手掛けたのは英彫刻家のマーティン・ジェニングス氏。肖像はチャールズ国王本人の承認も受けている。
　ジェニングス氏によると、チャールズ国王の写真を基に肖像を彫刻したという。
　ジェニングス氏は「私が制作してきた作品の中で最も小さいが、今後何世紀にもわたって世界中の人々の目に触れ、手に取られることを思うと身が引き締まる思いだ」と述べた。
　エリザベス女王の肖像は右向きだったが、王室の伝統に従い、チャールズ国王の顔は左向きとなっている。
　肖像の周りにはラテン語で「チャールズ国王、神の恩寵（おんちょう）により、信仰の擁護者」と書かれている。
　王立造幣局はチャールズ国王の肖像について、今後数か月以内に、流通する硬貨や記念品で使われ始めるとしている。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2022/09/30-11:42）

Britain's Royal Mint on Friday unveiled the official effigy of King Charles III that will appear on coins following his accession to the throne.
The effigy is the work of British sculptor Martin Jennings and was personally approved by the new king.
The first coins bearing the king's portrait will be a special £5 coin and a 50 pence coin commemorating the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
Jennings said his portrait was sculpted from a photograph of the Charles.
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.
In line with royal tradition, Charles's portrait faces to the left, the opposite direction to his late mother.
A Latin inscription surrounding the effigy translates as King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith.
The image of Charles will begin to appear on coins in circulation and on commemorative pieces in the coming months, the Royal Mint said in a statement.
Two new portraits of Elizabeth will feature on the reverse of the commemorative five pound coin.
The Royal Mint has been responsible for depicting monarchs on coins for over 1,100 years since Alfred the Great.
Elizabeth died on September 8 following a record-breaking 70 years on the throne.
Kevin Clancy, director of the Royal Mint Museum, said late queen had appeared on more coins than any other British monarch.
Over the coming years it will become common for people to find coins bearing His Majesty and Queen Elizabeth II's effigy in their change, he said.
The Royal Mint said historically it had been commonplace for coins featuring the effigies of different monarchs to co-circulate.
This ensures a smooth transition, with minimal environmental impact and cost.
There are currently around 27 billion coins circulating in the UK bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.
These will be replaced over time as they become damaged or worn and to meet demand for additional coins, the Royal Mint added.