- Circulation: N/A
- Year issued: 2020
- Value circulated: N/A
- Value circulated in excellent condition: N/A
- Value uncirculated: £20.00
- Composition: Cupro-nickel
- Scarcity index: TBC
For Christmas in 2020, the Royal Mint have released a 50p coin with the Snowman on. This coin is a wonderful Christmas gift for anyone, as well as children, and with limited numbers available, they are ideal for collectors.
History of the coin
The 50 pence coin was one of the coins which were released when the UK adopted decimal currency. The 7 sided coin was first released in 1969, and replaced the old 10 shilling note. It was the 3rd decimal coin to be released, and it has maintained its distinctive shape over the years.
It has been used many times to commemorate special occasions and events in the UK, and every year a special Christmas coin is produced. For 2020, it’s the Snowman 50p.
About the Snowman
The Snowman was created by Raymond Briggs.
The book ‘The Snowman’ was released in 1978, and such was its popularity it was made in to a film for television just 4 years later. First shown in 1982, it won a BAFTA and was nominated for an Academy Award.
The film has since been shown nearly every year on television at Christmas, and it is still a favourite with children.
It tells the story of James, who builds a snowman in the garden. At midnight, the snowman comes to life and James shows it around his house. They ride through the woods and then the snowman begins to fly, taking James on a magical ride over Norway and the Arctic. They meet other snowmen before meeting Santa and his reindeer.
Santa gives James a scarf and they return home. The next morning James wakes up to find the snowman has melted and all that’s left are his hat, scarf, eyes, nose and buttons.
How many Snowman 50p coins were made?
The Snowman 50p is a special collector’s edition for 2020, and only 15,000 uncirculated coins were minted.
Design and Designer
The Snowman 50p coin shows the snowman giving James a big hug.
- Obverse design:
This shows the 6th portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Jody Clark
- Designer: Robin Shaw
Robin Shaw has worked with Raymond Briggs for many years, so he was the perfect choice for the Snowman design.
Robin has worked on ‘The Snowman and the Snowdog’ and ‘Ethel and Ernest’, both adaptations of Briggs’ books. His directorial debut came in 2016, when he directed ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’, which was shown over Christmas. He has also worked on ‘Paddington 2’ and ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea.’
His other work includes commercials, with high profile clients such as Mastercard, United Airlines and Actimel.
He has won awards for his work, including a British Animation Award in 2014.
Variations
The Snowman 50p coin has not been released in to general circulation, and they are only available in a limited edition.
- 15,000 Brilliant uncirculated colour coins are available
- 7,000 Silver Proof coins were produced
- 275 Gold Proof coins were produced.
