This holiday season, the Royal Mint is stirring excitement and nostalgia by hiding something quite special behind the doors of its newly launched advent calendars. Tucked away behind door number 24 is not just any coin, but the precious gold edition of the beloved 50p piece featuring ‘The Snowman’—a delightful nod to Raymond Briggs’ classic Christmas story.
The savvy marketing move aims to engage not only collectors but also families gearing up for the festive season. Available for £30, these limited-edition advent calendars are being offered to the public, but only 3,000 of them are on the market. Out of this exclusive selection, only one calendar will contain the gold coin, valued at £1,355. This gold prize coin will be found by one lucky person who opens their calendar on Christmas Eve, adding to the thrill of holiday surprises.
The Royal Mint revealed this initiative as part of the launch of the Snowman 2024 collectable 50p coin, which can be purchased separately across multiple precious metal finishes, with prices starting at just £12. These coins will not enter general circulation, making them solely collectible items and desirable gifts for fans of this cherished story.
This year’s coin design, which showcases The Snowman as he decorates a Christmas tree, was crafted by Robin Shaw, who served as art director for The Snowman and The Snowdog, the sequel to the original animated adaptation. The version aimed at collectors will feature vibrant colors, bringing the warmth and magic of the Christmas tale to life on the small canvas of the 50p piece.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, noted, “The Snowman collectable 50p has become a Christmas tradition at the Royal Mint, and we are delighted to continue this much-loved story on UK coinage. This year marks The Snowman’s seventh appearance on the coin, and Robin Shaw’s special design expertly captures the magic of Christmas.”
This annual release has become quite popular since The Snowman was first featured on Royal Mint coins back in 2018, with nearly 700,000 coins shipped worldwide to collectors. The story itself, first published as a wordless picture book by Raymond Briggs, has sold an astonishing 5.5 million copies globally, capturing the hearts of families during the holidays.
Interestingly, the original animated adaptation of The Snowman first aired way back on December 26, 1982, and it continues to be cherished by audiences of all ages. It’s this timeless appeal of The Snowman and the festive spirit it embodies—of joy, family, and giving—that the Royal Mint is tapping yet again this Christmas.
This year, starting November 11, fans of The Snowman will even have the unique opportunity to strike their own 50p coin at the Royal Mint Experience, located in Llantrisant, South Wales—a fun activity to engage with the festive spirit and coin collecting culture.
Fans have plenty to look forward to with the advent calendars and the coins coming down the pipeline, which promise to bring the magic of The Snowman right to the heart of homes across the UK. The announcement has set the stage for yet another year of celebrating childhood nostalgia and the enchantment of the Christmas season.
