The Snowman™: A Magical Journey on Coins

Raymond Briggs’ beloved winter tale has become synonymous with Christmas. Each year, millions of families gather to watch the enduringly popular animated film and its sequel, The Snowman and The Snowdog, as part of a special annual tradition. More than four decades after the film’s initial release, The Snowman is still loved by adults and children alike, and, like hanging up decorations or leaving mince pies out for Father Christmas, has become a part of the magical anticipation and excitement of Christmas.

Our Snowman UK 50p coins have also become something of an annual tradition for The Royal Mint since 2018 when we issued our first coin featuring everyone’s favourite festive character. Selling 15,000 silver Proof coins on the first launch day, which equates to an average of one every two seconds, the new editions of this popular coin have returned each year as The Royal Mint’s official festive coin. This year sees the release of our seventh coin in the series which features a new and exclusive design by award-winning illustrator Robin Shaw, who worked as the assistant director on The Snowman and The Snowdog.

A Master of his Craft

First published in 1978 as a wordless picture book, The Snowman has since sold 5.5 million copies worldwide. Briggs’ skilful pencil illustrations embellish the story with a magical aura, enchanting the reader and drawing them into a snowy world filled with wonder.

“I remember that winter because it had brought the heaviest snow I had ever seen. Snow had fallen steadily all night long and in the morning I woke in a room filled with light and silence, the whole world seemed to be held in a dream-like stillness. It was a magical day … and it was on that day I made The Snowman.”

Raymond Briggs, describing his inspiration for the story.

The book inspired an animated short film that was first broadcast on Channel 4 on 26 December 1982. Adding to the story’s association with Christmas, it has aired annually ever since, although Briggs never intended for it to become a festive tale but instead for its message to be about the transience of life. The Snowman’s creator sadly passed away in August 2022 at the age of 88, but generations will continue to cherish his beloved tale about friendship and loss for Christmases to come.

Reimagining a Classic

Whilst paying homage to the hazy, nostalgic style of Briggs’ pencilled drawings, the award-winning illustrator Robin Shaw has created the reverse design for our 2024 Christmas coin. In a previous interview with the illustrator, Robin explained how the animated film adaption of the story inspired his creative career:

“The Snowman was something I saw as a child and entranced me. I looked at the book and saw the film and thought ‘That’s what I want to do!’ To be entrusted with Raymond Briggs’ most enduring creation continues to be an incredible honour and joy.”

The Snowman and The Snowdog

The 1982 film adaption of The Snowman was incredibly successful, earning a BAFTA for Best Children’s Programme in 1983, as well as an Academy Award® nomination for Best Short Film. Three decades later in 2012, The Snowman and The Snowdog, a sequel to the original film, was released. Made with Briggs’ blessing, the story revolves around a boy called Billy who discovers a snowman-building kit on Christmas Eve. He builds a snowman and decides to make a little snowdog with the leftover snow. Just like the original story, the two come to life when the clock strikes midnight and the trio embark on a magical adventure. In 2022, we released a coin commemorating the tenth anniversary of The Snowman and The Snowdog.

Collect a Christmas Tradition

This year’s official Christmas coin release is the seventh coin in The Snowman series. The first Snowman UK 50p coin to be released in 2018 featured a reverse design that showed one of the most iconic scenes from the film where The Snowman and James go flying across the night sky on an enchanting adventure to the North Pole. This year’s reverse design shows the beloved Christmas character taking part in one of the most special festive traditions – decorating the Christmas tree and placing a star at the top.

Our Snowman UK 50p coins are available in a range of editions, including Brilliant Uncirculated colour-printed coins, and are perfect as stocking fillers or as gifts that can be treasured for a lifetime.

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