Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 40th Anniversary of the Star Wars, Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine
  • 50 Pence 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 40th Anniversary of the Star Wars, Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine
  • 50 Pence 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, 40th Anniversary of the Star Wars, Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, 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 Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. As part of the motif, a special lenticular image feature relating to the iconic duo is placed above the primary design. Below is the iconic STAR WARS logo.

Darth Vader is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. The character is the central antagonist of the original trilogy and, as Anakin Skywalker, is one of the main protagonists in the prequel trilogy. Star Wars creator George Lucas has collectively referred to the first six episodic films of the franchise as "the tragedy of Darth Vader". Darth Vader has become one of the most iconic villains in popular culture, and has been listed among the greatest villains and fictional characters ever. His masked face and helmet, in particular, is one of the most iconic character designs of all time. The character has been portrayed by numerous actors: David Prowse physically portrayed Vader while James Earl Jones has voiced him in all of the films and some television shows, and Sebastian Shaw portrayed the unmasked Anakin in Return of the Jedi, as well as the character's spirit in the original release of that film.

Sheev Palpatine, also known by his Sith name Darth Sidious, is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. Initially credited as the Emperor in the original trilogy films, he serves as the main antagonist of the nine-film Skywalker saga, in which he is portrayed by Ian McDiarmid. In creating Palpatine, Lucas was inspired by real-world examples of democratic backsliding during the rise and rule of dictators such as Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Adolf Hitler.

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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