United Kingdom: Christmas Favourite Continues With Latest Snowman Gold And Silver 50 Pence Commemorative Coins

The popular holiday series celebrates Raymond Briggs’ timeless, magical tale of a young boy and his snowman. First launched in 2018, each design has captured a special scene in the story featuring the Snowman and James depicted in full colour on both the sterling silver proof and cupro-nickel versions. Since The Snowman first appeared on commemorative coins in 2018, close to 700,000 coins featuring this beloved character have made their way into collections globally and dispatched across 75 different countries.

The story of the Snowman began as a wordless picture book, created and illustrated in 1978 by the late Raymond Briggs.  Published by Puffin, The Snowman has sold over 5.5million copies around the world. The heart-warming story of a boy who befriends a magical snowman has become a classic winter’s tale that is now synonymous with Christmas in Britain. First broadcast on British television on the 26^th December 1982, The Snowman was produced into a 26-minute animated film based on Raymond Briggs’ publication. The softly illustrated animated scenes were paired together without spoken dialogue and which became an immediate success, receiving a nomination for the 1982 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. A sequel entitled The Snowdog was subsequently released in 2012 to equal popularity.

For 2024, the latest design continues with the beloved Snowman who is taking part in one of the most special festive traditions – decorating the Christmas tree. The moment is captured just as the Snowman puts the last ornament on the tree – the star which is placed at the very top. The design is created by Robin Shaw, award-winning animator and illustrator.  Shaw was also the art director on The Snowman and The Snowdog, the heart-warming sequel to the original television adaption. The obverse side includes the effigy of HM King Charles III created by engraver Martin Jennings. Both the denomination of 50 PENCE and the year of issue, 2024 is shown as part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness.

The Brilliant Uncirculated base metal versions are presented in a Christmas-card type format suitable for exchanging as a holiday greeting. The special edition cupro-nickel colour reverse is presented in a folder with illustrations of the Snowman and text describing the animated film. The silver Proof coins are housed in a custom Perspex/lucite case, enabling the coin to be displayed and viewed from both sides. The gold Proof version is presented in a custom hardwood high gloss case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Mint.