New UK coins to feature portrait of Queen Elizabeth II

London: A new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II which will appear on coins in Britain was unveiled Monday - only the fifth one of her 63-year reign.

The likeness shows the 88-year-old monarch facing right in profile and wearing a crown and drop earrings. It replaces a previous portrait which dates back to 1998.

The image was designed by Jody Clark, an engraver at the Royal Mint, the south Wales-based body responsible for making Britain`s coins.

The new coins featuring the portrait go into production from Monday and are likely to start appearing in peoples` pockets later this year.

"Jody`s achievement is something that we can celebrate as a proud moment for the Royal Mint," said Adam Lawrence, its chief executive.

"Capturing a portrait on the surface of a coin demands the utmost skill and is one of the most challenging disciplines of the coin designer`s art."