Royal Mint releases new 50p coin to celebrate The Chronicles of Narnia

27 September 2023 , 23:01

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Royal Mint unveiled the new Narnia 50p coin today (Image: PA)

The Royal Mint has unveiled a new collectable coin celebrating the C.S. Lewis classic The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe.

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe has enthralled readers for more than 70 years since the fantasy novel was first released in 1950. It tells the story of Lucy and her siblings, who walk through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia and learn of their destiny to free it with the guidance of a mystical lion called Aslan.

Part of the Royal Mint Classic Children's Literature series, the 50p features a fine detailed reproduction of the book's original illustrator's drawing of Mr Tumnus and Lucy walking through the snowy woods in Narnia, measuring only 27.3 millimetres in diameter.

Designers digitally translated Pauline Baynes' illustration on to a coin, ensuring that no detail was lost during the process of the 50p being struck. A selection of coins in the range also feature colour printing techniques. The collectable 50p coin can be purchased from the Royal Mint's website, with prices ranging from £11 for a brilliant uncirculated version to £1,220 for a gold coin.

The coin marks 70 years since the C.S. Lewis book (PA)

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a story that has captured the imagination of readers in the UK and worldwide, with C.S. Lewis enchanting people with a magical realm called Narnia through his writing. The Royal Mint’s popular collectable coin series celebrating Classic Children’s Literature has seen many stories and authors celebrated on their own coin such as Beatrix Potter and Raymond Briggs.

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“Today we are beyond thrilled to be unveiling an official collectable UK 50p coin celebrating the globally adored story of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis to our popular series. In keeping with C.S. Lewis’ novel, the coin design features the original illustration that appears in the book, making it the perfect keepsake for any fan of this story.”

Natasha Wynarczyk