One of the late Sussex illustrator Raymond Briggs’ most beloved characters is to make an eighth appearance on UK coins.
The Royal Mint is launching its latest coin in The Snowman 50p Collection, featuring The Snowman and James decorating the Christmas tree.
Only 3,500 will be made as part of an advent calendar, with one customer getting a solid gold version of the coin hidden behind door number 24.
It is the eighth The Snowman 50p issued since the character first appeared on UK coins in 2018.
The design depicts the Snowman and James putting up Christmas lights onto a Christmas tree. Credit: The Royal Mint
Raymond Briggs was born in Wimbledon but moved to Brighton in 1961 when he began teaching illustration part-time at the Brighton School of Art.
During his 25 years at the school, he wrote The Snowman as a book in 1978, which sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide.
It also became an animated television film in 1982, which saw Raymond walking through a field in rural Sussex, and a stage show from 1986.
Towards the end of his life, he lived in a house in Westmeston, East Sussex, and was buried in East Chiltington when he died.
Almost 750,000 coins have been collected across 75 countries since the first design was made.
Designed by illustrator Robin Shaw, he said: “It doesn’t get old seeing one of my designs appear once again on a 50p piece.
“This year’s coin captures the magic of Raymond Briggs’ most enduring creation, offering a lasting keepsake for fans of this festive tale.”
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said: “We’re so excited The Snowman is returning on a 50p this Christmas.
“The Snowman is such a great British Christmas classic and collectors will be excited to add the eighth coin to their collections.”
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