Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2022, Sp# H113, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 25th Anniversary of Harry Potter Magic, Hogwarts Express
  • 50 Pence 2022, Sp# H113, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 25th Anniversary of Harry Potter Magic, Hogwarts Express
  • 50 Pence 2022, Sp# H113, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 25th Anniversary of Harry Potter Magic, Hogwarts Express, Box with a certificate of authenticity
Description

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a 1997 fantasy novel written by British author J. K. Rowling. The first novel in the Harry Potter series and Rowling's debut novel, it follows Harry Potter, a young wizard who discovers his magical heritage on his eleventh birthday, when he receives a letter of acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry makes close friends and a few enemies during his first year at the school and with the help of his friends, he faces an attempted comeback by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents, but failed to kill Harry when he was just 15 months old.

The book was first published in the United Kingdom on 26 June 1997 by Bloomsbury. It was published in the United States the following year by Scholastic Corporation under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It won most of the British book awards that were judged by children and other awards in the US. It has been translated into at least 73 other languages and has been made into a feature-length film of the same name, as have all six of its sequels. The novel has sold in excess of 120 million copies, making it the third best-selling novel of all time.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone publication the Royal Mint has struck a four-coin series that begins with a coin celebrating Harry Potter, the boy wizard and hero of the books. This is the very first time the wizarding world of Harry Potter has appeared on UK coins. Other coins in the collection would feature the Hogwarts Express, Professor Albus Dumbledore and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reverse of each coin features an original illustration by Jim Kay, the artist who created the first fully illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

The first coins in the collection will feature the image of Elizabeth, and the final two, launching next year, will feature King Charles. The first two coins were produced before the Queen's death in September, but the Royal Mint said it was not replacing it with the portrait of King Charles III to minimise waste or unnecessary environmental impact.

Obverse

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·2022
J.C

Reverse

Depicts the Hogwarts Express and the Platform 9¾ – the beginning of Harry’s magical journey.

Each coin in the series has a latent feature that displays a lightning bolt and the number 25 for the special anniversary.

The Hogwarts Express was the name of the train that ran between London King's Cross Station Platform 9¾ and Hogsmeade station. It made this run about six times a year, maybe more, as needed. It also made the run back again to London at the end of term in June.

The Express dutifully carried students of all years to and from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It travels at the start and end of every term. It is the school's primary method of travel.

The train left Platform 9¾ without fail every 1 September at 11 o'clock in the morning, arriving at Hogsmeade station in the early evening. Some students took the train back to King's Cross Station to go home for the Christmas and Easter holidays, but some did not, as they stayed at Hogwarts.

Design: Jim Kay and Ffion Gwillim

HOGWARTS EXPRESS
25
25 YEARS OF MAGIC

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.91667
Weight 15.5 g
Diameter 27.3 mm
Thickness -
Shape polygon
Sides 7
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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