12 November 2018
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The famous Raymond Briggs character Father Christmas takes centre stage on a new 50p coin produced for Gibraltar by Pobjoy Mint.
Father Christmas™ is a short animated film based on two books written by Raymond Briggs: Father Christmas and Father Christmas Goes on Holiday published in 1973 and 1975 respectively. Father Christmas in these publications is a different interpretation of the stereotypical character.
He still looks like the Santa we all know and love, with his large white beard and red suit, however Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas is rather grumpy and works from a normal house coping with every day domestic chores with no Mrs Claus or elves to assist him. The only other occupants of the house are his cat and dog and two reindeer.
Father Christmas 50p coin
The coin design shows an illustration from Raymond Brigg’s book showing Father Christmas with his sack of presents over his shoulder with his satchel and flask on the other side.
Approved by the Licensor and Buckingham Palace, which is very fitting as in the book the last delivery is to the Palace, the obverse of the coin carries the Pobjoy Mint effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The coin has been struck in Cupro Nickel Diamond Finish with the uncoloured version packaged in a Christmas decoration in the shape of a bauble, and the coloured version presented in a special Christmas card.
Father Christmas 50p details
Issue date: 7 November 2018
Mintage: 7,500
Diameter: 27.30mm
Weight: 8.00g
For more information, or to order the coin, visit Pobjoy Mint.
