Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 40th Anniversary of the Star Wars, R2-D2 and C-3PO
  • 50 Pence 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 40th Anniversary of the Star Wars, R2-D2 and C-3PO
  • 50 Pence 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 40th Anniversary of the Star Wars, R2-D2 and C-3PO, Fold-out packaging
Description

The Royal Mint has launched a series dedicated to the incredibly successful Star Wars film franchise. Created by George Lucas, Star Wars started with the 1977 film and quickly became a global pop culture phenomenon. It has expanded into various media forms, including films, TV series, video games, novels, and theme park attractions, building a vast fictional universe. Star Wars is one of the highest-grossing media franchises ever.

In relation to the Star Wars project, production was moved to England's Elstree Studios to save costs. Many scenes were shot in England, featuring British actors, including those who played C-3PO and R2-D2. The actual Star Wars robots were constructed by the English company Peteric Engineering. The United Kingdom played a crucial role in creating the film's special effects, earning recognition for their originality and creativity.

All nine films of the "Skywalker Saga" received Academy Award nominations, with the first two winning awards. When combined with the anthology films Rogue One and Solo, the franchise's total box office revenue surpassed $10 billion, making it the second highest-grossing film franchise of all time.

Obverse

Depicts King Charles III’s effigy, surrounded by the Latin inscription. Engraver's initials on the neck.

CHARLES III DEI GRATIA REX FIDEI DEFENSOR means King Charles III, by the Grace of God King, Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Martin Jennings (MJ)

•CHARLES III•D•G•REX•F•D•50 PENCE•2023
MJ

Reverse

Depicts images of C-3PO and R2-D2, as both characters are seen inside the Millennium Falcon, the infamous starship which has played a role in some of the greatest victories of the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic.

As part of the motif, a special lenticular image feature relating to the iconic duo is placed above the primary design. When the coin is tilted under a source of light, both Tatooine (a fictional desert planet) and the Rebel Alliance ‘Starbird’ logo are revealed. Below the droids is the iconic STAR WARS logo.

C-3PO, also known as See-Threepio, is a humanoid robot character featured in the Star Wars franchise. Appearing in the original, prequel, and sequel trilogies, C-3PO was built by Anakin Skywalker. Designed as a protocol droid, his purpose is to assist with etiquette, customs, and translation, claiming fluency in over six million forms of communication. C-3PO, alongside his astromech droid companion R2-D2, adds comic relief and serves as a foil within the films' narrative structure. Actor Anthony Daniels has portrayed the character in eleven out of the twelve theatrical Star Wars films, with the exception of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

R2-D2, also known as Artoo-Detoo, is a fictional robot character in the Star Wars franchise. Appearing in ten of the eleven theatrical Star Wars films, R2-D2 serves as an astromech droid and forms friendships with various characters throughout the film series, including C-3PO, Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. English actor Kenny Baker played R2-D2 in the original trilogy, receiving billing credit in the prequel trilogy where his role was reduced due to the utilization of radio-controlled props and CGI models to portray R2-D2.

Design: Ffion Gwillim

STAR
WARS
© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd.

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 8 g
Diameter 27.3 mm
Thickness -
Shape polygon
Sides 7
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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