10 Pence - Charles III Capercaillie, Silver Proof

The capercaillie — a large grouse native to Scotland's ancient Caledonian pinewoods — has been in freefall for decades, with the UK breeding population estimated at fewer than 500 individuals by the early 2020s. Its inclusion in this series reflects a broader Royal Mint push to spotlight endangered British wildlife, a theme that has proven commercially durable since the original 50p wildlife series of the 2000s. Whether a proof coin shifts conservation outcomes is another question entirely.

The KM#2438a designation distinguishes this silver proof striking from the base-metal circulation issue, both produced under the first years of the Charles III coinage transition following the September 2022 accession.