The Snowman returns to the Royal Mint as it expands its 50p licenced coin selection for 2019

Back for the second year, The Snowman rejoins an ever-growing range of classics that the Royal Mint is putting on its fifty pence coin range, alongside the recent Wallace & Gromit, Paddington and Gruffalo issues. The same range as usual, comprising an 8g sterling silver coin and a 15.5 gram 22kt red gold variant, with the former getting a paint job.

Most readers are familiar with these issues now. Very nicely packaged, especially the silver in its neat themed acrylic frame, they make nice packages for fans and we know these are super popular with collectors, despite what is rapidly becoming some very high pricing indeed. This 50p format has always been the mints first choice for their media issues, but we’d like to see a bigger coin to justify the price of these. While we’re the first to argue against the ridiculous notion many bullion stackers hold that collectible coins should be priced similarly to bullion, we’re not blind to the fact that £65 for a quarter-ounce of silver is really pushing it as far as value goes.

If a younger collector just wants the design, a base-metal brilliant uncirculated version is available in a nice presentation card for just £10. This isn’t a design that will enter general circulation. Available now, the gold coin is already listed as 95% sold, as we’d expect given the incredible sales performance of previous gold issues.

First published back in 1978, Raymond Briggs’ children’s word-less picture book, The Snowman, debuted to critical acclaim. Telling the story of a young boy that builds a snowman which then comes to life, it was adapted to an Oscar-nominated animated short film in 1982. Much loved, especially in its British homeland, The Snowman has become a staple of the Christmas TV schedule and the book continues to sell. A sequel called the Snowman and the Snowdog was published on the 30th anniversary of the original.

PRESS RELEASE

The Royal Mint, together with Penguin Ventures (part of Penguin Random House) has announced that it will be releasing a second coin in The Snowman series. This special 50p coin celebrates the charm of Raymond Briggs’ timeless children’s classic.

Taking inspiration from the original hand-drawn book illustrations, The Snowman™ coin features James and The Snowman about to fly off on their magical adventure to the North Pole. The coin showcases the snowy scenery surrounding James who looks up at The Snowman with excitement as they embark on their journey.

Working in partnership with Snowman Enterprises, we enlisted the help of award-winning animator and illustrator Robin Shaw, Assistant Director of The Snowman™ and The Snowdog, the sequel to the original animated adaptation of the book, to illustrate the coin.

Nicola Howell, Director of Consumer at The Royal Mint commented: “Following the fantastic response to The Snowman’s debut appearance on a 50p coin to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs’ classic tale in 2018, we are delighted to introduce the second coin in the series capturing James and The Snowman’s friendship.

“Over the past few years, the Beatrix Potter, Gruffalo and Paddington collections have been extremely popular, and we believe the second Snowman coin will be equally as successful. This particular coin, continues the story and focuses on the next step of The Snowman and James’ magical journey.”

Thomas Merrington, Creative Director at Penguin Ventures said: “We’re delighted that The Snowman will once again appear on a commemorative coin for the second year running, following the success of the 40th anniversary edition. Our enduring partnership with The Royal Mint has seen a series of classic children’s characters featured on British coins, offering collectors and fans of the original stories, a perfect keepsake to treasure.”