23 October 2023 , 12:54
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The Royal Mint has released a brand new 50p coin celebrating the Christmas classic "The Snowman".
The coin design is based on the incredibly popular picture book by the late Raymond Briggs and has been designed by the award-winning illustrator and animator, Robin Shaw. Raymond Briggs died last August at the age of 88.
The book, published by Puffin and first released in 1978, tells the story of a young boy named James who builds a snowman which comes to life. The book sold 5.5million copies worldwide and was later turned into a Bafta TV award-winning animated TV film in 1982.
The animated film was first broadcast on Boxing Day in 1982 and has been shown almost every Christmas since. The design of the coin features the young boy dressed in his pyjamas and dressing gown and the snowman holding hands and dancing.
The 2023 coin is the sixth to be added to The Royal Mint’s Christmas coin series celebrating Raymond Briggs’ Christmas tale. However, it is the first of the Royal Mint's 50p Christmas coins to feature the official coinage portrait of King Charles.
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You can buy the collectors coin from the Royal Mint website with prices starting at £11 (PA)As these are collectable items, you can purchase them from the Royal Mint. You can get yourself a standard uncirculated snowman coin for £11.
The price of the Snowman 2023 50p limited edition coloured Coin - which has 10,000 units - is £20 whilst the other limited edition coin - which only has 5,000 - is £70. You can also get a Snowman Gold Proof coin - which only has 100 units - for £1,220.
Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at The Royal Mint said: “The Royal Mint is delighted to celebrate the tale of The Snowman on official UK coins for its sixth year in 2023. Continuing our partnership with award-winning illustrator Robin Shaw, we are excited to release another original festive coin that brings Raymond Brigg’s story to life in a new way.
"This year’s edition of The Snowman coin is particularly special, being the first of our Christmas coins with King Charles III’s effigy on its obverse. We hope that people love the coin’s design and look to collect a piece of British Christmas history.”
Speaking about the design, Robin Shaw said: “I am thrilled to enter my sixth year working with The Royal Mint, helping to bring Raymond Briggs' classic winter’s tale to life for collectors and fans of the story alike.”