04 December 2020
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The Royal Mint has launched a new 50 pence coin celebrating Raymond Briggs’ much loved Snowman, featuring a poignant design of The Snowman hugging James by Robin Shaw, illustrator and animator.
The collectable coin range celebrates Raymond Briggs’ classic tale with a new design created by Robin Shaw, award-winning animator and illustrator. Shaw was also the art director on The Snowman and The Snowdog animation, the heart-warming sequel to the original television adaption.
The poignant design shows The Snowman and James hugging, reflecting how the timeless tale brings people together at Christmas.
Snowman 50p available coin in three versions and in colour
The 2020 Snowman coin comes in a range of finishes – including brilliant uncirculated, silver proof and gold proof – and arrives in packaging which explores the classic Raymond Briggs’ tale. There is also the option to purchase colour coins, which bring Shaw’s design to life using the latest printing technology.
The commemorative coin is only available in these versions and will not be entering circulation.
Robin Shaw, Designer of The Snowman 2020 coin, and award winning animator and illustrator, said:
“I’m delighted to have worked with The Royal Mint once more to bring The Snowman to life on a fifty pence. In a year where many of us have been separated, The Snowman helps remind us of the importance of a hug and our love for one another. In creating the 2020 design I wanted to capture this unique bond between The Snowman and James in recognition of Raymond Briggs’ timeless tale which unites us each Christmas.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the fantastic drawings created through our special The Snowman sketch-a-long. As a child I was inspired by Raymond Briggs 1978 book and the 1982 television adaptation, so I’m excited to see what this generation of budding illustrators and animators comes up with.”
Third coin in the Snowman coin series
This is the third commemorative Snowman coin released by The Royal Mint in collaboration with Snowman Enterprises and officially licensed by Penguin Ventures (part of Penguin Random House UK), with previous coins released in 2018 and 2019.
First published in 1978 and adapted for television in 1982, Raymond Briggs’ heart-warming story of childhood innocence continues to delight young and old alike. Watching The Snowman with the whole family has become a much-loved Christmas tradition.
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To celebrate the new coin and provide a fun activity at home, The Royal Mint worked with Robin Shaw to create an exclusive ‘sketch-a-long’ for fans. The online class, available via The Royal Mint’s website, provides hints and tips to help budding animators create their own Snowman drawings and share them via #SnowmanSketchalong.
