Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, The Snowman
  • 50 Pence 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, The Snowman
  • 50 Pence 2023, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, The Snowman, Acrylic block
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.

Since the story of The Snowman turns 40 in 2018, the Royal Mint has commemorated it over the past few years due to its unwavering popularity.

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 a scene where the snowman, as he comes to life, happily dances with James, still in his bathrobe and in his backyard.

The dedicated design team at the Royal Mint combines traditional craftsmanship with innovative digital colour printing technology to bring the design to life, keeping true to the hand-drawn.

Engraver: Robin Shaw

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 8 g
Diameter 27.3 mm
Thickness -
Shape polygon
Sides 7
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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