A rare 50p worth £1,500 has been hidden inside an advent calendar, as reported by Wales Online. The special coin features The Snowman and a gold version of it is tucked away in one lucky calendar to be found on Christmas Eve. The Royal Mint designed this coin to celebrate The Snowman 2024 collectable 50p series, with a solid gold coin placed behind door 24 in a limited-edition advent calendar. The Snowman 50p coin, available in various metal finishes, will not enter general circulation and is priced from £12 on the Royal Mint’s website.
There are a total of 3,000 advent calendars priced at £30 each, with only one containing the coveted gold proof coin of The Snowman. The new coin showcases a design by Robin Shaw, the art director for The Snowman And The Snowdog, depicting The Snowman decorating a Christmas tree. Since The Snowman first appeared on a 50p coin in 2018, nearly 700,000 coins featuring the character have been collected globally in 75 countries. Rebecca Morgan, the director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, expressed delight in continuing The Snowman tradition on UK coinage.
First published in 1978 as a wordless picture book, The Snowman has been a beloved Christmas story, selling 5.5 million copies worldwide. An animated short film based on the book premiered in 1982. Thomas Merrington from Penguin Ventures highlighted the enduring appeal of The Snowman, with the coin being the seventh in the series. From November 11, fans can create their own 50p coin at the Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant, South Wales.
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