United Kingdom (Great Britain) Elizabeth II 50 Pence

History

50 Pence 2018, KM# 1559b, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, The Snowman, 40th Anniversary

50 Pence 2018, KM# 1559b, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, The Snowman, 40th Anniversary, Gift box

Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint

Description

The Snowman is a children's picture book without words by English author Raymond Briggs, first published in 1978 by Hamish Hamilton in the United Kingdom, and published by Random House in the United States in November of the same year. The book was adapted into a twenty-six-minute animated television special in 1982, which debuted on Channel 4 in the UK on 26 December. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. The animated special became prominent in British popular culture and its showings have since become an annual festive event.

On a cold winter’s night a snowman comes to life and befriends the little boy who built him. After exploring the boy’s house together and sharing a candlelit feast, the pair fly across the frozen countryside, before racing home to beat the dawn, but wonder turns to sadness. The next morning, the boy wakes to find his snowman has melted.

The Royal Mint has struck a 22 carat gold Proof 50p coin to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this timeless children’s classic. Presented in a beautiful gift box.

Obverse	Crown, jewelry Diamond Diadem Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Elizabeth II The fifth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and drop earrings. The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith. Engraver: Jody Clark ·ELIZABETH II·D·G·REG·F·D·50 PENCE·2018 J.C
Reverse	Character (book, movie, cartoon etc.) Snowman Construction (building, bridge etc.) Pier People (man, woman, child etc.) Boy Depicts the boy and the snowman soar through the night sky together above the twinkling lights of Brighton Pier. The Brighton Palace Pier, commonly known as Brighton Pier is a pleasure pier in Brighton, England, located in the city centre opposite the Old Steine. Opening in 1899, the pier remains popular with the public, with over four million visitors in 2016, and has been featured in many works of British culture, including the gangster thriller Brighton Rock, the comedy Carry On at Your Convenience and the Who's concept album and film Quadrophenia. Engraver: Natasha Ratcliffe N.R.
Edge	Plain