2018 The Snowman 50p Coins
The Snowman 50p coin was released by The Royal Mint shop on Monday 5th November 2018 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of ‘The Snowman’ story written by Author Raymond Briggs.
Designed by Natasha Ratcliffe, the Snowman 50 pence coin depicts the boy and the snowman flying through the night sky above Brighton Pier.
Other The Snowman coins
One cold winter’s night, magic is in the air
On a cold winter’s morning, a little boy wakes up to find a blanket of snow as far as the eye can see. He builds a snowman in the garden complete with coal for buttons and an orange for a nose, dressed in a scarf and hat. When night falls, the snowman comes to life and a magical adventure begins, but wonder turns to sadness. The following morning, the boy rushes downstairs to find his new friend has melted.
Originally conceived as a way to introduce children to the concept of mortality, the story of The Snowman has become a much-loved festive favourite. As this classic tale turns 40, The Royal Mint celebrates this milestone with commemorative-only coins (not in circulation). Featuring a design by Natasha Radcliffe, and modelled by Robin Shaw, Assistant Director of The Snowman and the Snowdog, the little boy and the snowman are brought to life, soaring through the moonlit sky.
This Snowman 50p 2018 coin has been issued in BU, Silver, and Gold Proof Presentations:
It will NOT enter general circulation.
How many Snowman coins were minted in 2018?
The Royal Mint mintage figures are as follows:
| 40th Anniversary of The Snowman 2018 UK 50p Brilliant Uncirculated Coin * | 67,644 |
| 40th Anniversary of The Snowman 2018 UK 50p Brilliant Uncirculated Coin – In Tubes * | 103,061 |
| 40th Anniversary of The Snowman 2018 UK 50p Silver Proof Coin (MCM 15,000) | 14,968 |
| 40th Anniversary of The Snowman 2018 UK 50p Silver Proof Coin – In Acrylics (For Trade) | 3,300 |
| 40th Anniversary of The Snowman 2018 UK 50p Silver Proof Coin in Limited Edition Presentation Box | 1,563 |
| 40th Anniversary of the Snowman UK 2018 Silver Proof Coin – Post Office Exclusive | 1,000 |
| 40th Anniversary of The Snowman 2018 UK 50p Gold Proof Coin | 400 |
- BUNC total is 170,705 coins
Prices are the original issue price (plus P&P).
The Royal Mint says there are no plans for this coin to enter general coin circulation so you can only buy this coin online from their shop or on eBay from a 3rd-party seller.
Snowman 50p BU Coin
The BU coin was only available directly from The Royal Mint shop in the UK to include fold-out packaging that features illustrations from the story by Robin Shaw.
BU Coin Specifications
| Denomination | 50p |
|---|---|
| Maximum Coin Mintage | Unlimited |
| Alloy | Cupro-nickel |
| Weight | 8.00g |
| Diameter | 27.30mm |
| Reverse Designer | Natasha Ratcliffe |
| Obverse Designer | Jody Clark |
| Quality | Brilliant Uncirculated |
| Year of Issue | 2018 |
| Product Code | UK18SMBU |
| Original Issue Price | £10 |
Snowman 50p Silver Proof Coin
- Limited Edition of only 15,000 Silver Proof Snowman coins minted in the standard LEP
- Each coin is cased in a beautiful printed acrylic block with delicate snow falling all around.
- The gift box contains a fold-out booklet, featuring exclusive illustrations from Robin Shaw – Assistant Director of The Snowman and the Snowdog.
- Colour printing recalls the charm of the original illustrations and TV animation.
- Price on day of issue: £60 + P&P
- 100% Reserved (Sold Out) – this Silver Proof coin is reported to have sold out in around 14 hours and is no longer available on the Royal Mint website
Silver Proof Coin Specifications
| Denomination | 50p |
|---|---|
| Limited Edition Presentation | 15,000 |
| Maximum Coin Mintage | 20,000 |
| Alloy | .925 Sterling Silver |
| Weight | 8.00g |
| Diameter | 27.30mm |
| Reverse Designer | Natasha Ratcliffe |
| Obverse Designer | Jody Clark |
| Quality | Proof |
| Year | 2018 |
| Pure Metal Type | Silver |
| Product Code | UK18SMSP |
| Price on Day of Issue | £60 |
2018 Snowman 50p Silver Proof Variants
The Silver Proof version of this coin, costing £60 +P&P on day of issue, sold out the same day – reportedly in only 14 hours. All 15,000 coins!
The Silver Proof Presentation box was released in the following days but not widely known about by UK coin collectors as it did not appear on the Royal Mint website (that we know of).
As a result of the hype that ensued over this coin, all 2,000 of this presentation of the silver coin also sold out quickly but some may have experienced a delay in shipment by as much as a month after order placement. The Royal Mint gave some lucky collectors a free Paddington 50p coin as compensation for the delay.
The Silver Proof coin has a maximum mintage of 20,000 coins. With 15,000 sold in the standard presentation and 2,000 in the large white presentation Boxes.
Limited Edition Gift Presentation
Limited Edition Presentation of 2,000 coins with a large white outer box with Royal Mint crest logo stamped, black box interior, the booklet is supplied but not individually numbered as a COA.
The original issue price was higher than the regular silver proof coin at £75 + P&P
This is often referred to by coin collectors as the “Black Box Edition”, although The Royal Mint calls it “our limited edition white box”. Confusing! Picture below.
The box lid is held closed with velcro. Be careful how you pull it as it can damage the paper.
Royal Mint Booklet confirms the LEP of 2,000 coins.
Comes in a white outer box with a black inner box.
Front of Info card says
The Royal Mint coin information card is NOT NUMBERED as it is with the regular and Post Office presentations.
Some people still refer to this as the “COA” however the “Certificate of Authenticity” wording is also missing.
The Royal Mint Product Code on the box is UK18SMPB
If you ordered this from The Royal Mint it just shows the Royal Mint logo on the inside box cover.
If you ordered it elsewhere, it had the option to order a “Presented to” message to personalise the gift.
Personalised Gift Presentation
No Snowman Booklet
No COA
Prices vary.
Post Office Edition
Another LEP of the Silver Proof was sold by the UK Post Office.
It is reported that this was limited to 1,000 coins in a black box.
The COA and outer coin box has the Post Office logo on it.
The Royal Mint product code on the box shows UK18SMPO (the regular version shows UK18SMSP)
Issue Price £65
2018 The Snowman 50p Gold Coin
- Limited Edition of only 400 Gold Proof Snowman Coins
- £775 at time of release
- 100% Reserved
Gold Proof Coin Specifications
| Denomination | 50p |
|---|---|
| Maximum Coin Mintage | 400 |
| Alloy | 22 Carat Gold |
| Weight | 15.50g |
| Diameter | 27.30mm |
| Reverse Designer | Natasha Ratcliffe |
| Obverse Designer | Jody Clark |
| Quality | Proof |
| Year | 2018 |
| Pure Metal Type | Gold |
| Product Code | UK18SMGA |
| Price on Day of Issue | £775 |
What is an error coin?
An ERROR COIN version of this 50 pence is being reported by British Coin collectors, where the Snowman has a blue hat or scarf instead of the usual green coloured one.
This has not been accepted by The Royal Mint as an error but some coin collectors are stating that it is. See our Snowman 50p Error Coin page for more details.
Snowman 50 pence options on eBay
eBay sellers have been quick to offer variations of the Snowman 50p coin on eBay. Make sure you understand what you are buying!
The Brilliant Uncirculated coin, when purchased from the Royal Mint, is NOT coloured.
eBay sellers now offer this plain coin with a coloured decal stuck to it, to imitate how the Silver Proof coin looks.
The Silver Proof coin sells for hundreds of pounds so don’t get fooled into thinking a plain coin with the sticker is the Silver version.
The easiest way to be sure you are buying the Silver Proof coin is to check that the listing includes a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) as issued by The Royal Mint. This will have a unique number on it between 1 and 15,000. Low COA (less than 1,000) numbered coins have been selling for above regular market value this week as UK coin collectors see this as a bonus to the coin.
The number on the COA is affecting the price of these coins. For example, a LOW or HIGH COA number can add to the perceived value of the coin to a collector.
It is reported that COA Number 14,999 (of 15,000) sold for £245.
eBay Sellers have also produced custom presentations such as the Christmas cards shown below.
Snowman 50p Snowman Christmas Card
Snowman 50p Santa Christmas Card
Who wrote The Snowman book?
These coins celebrate the 40th Anniversary of ‘The Snowman’ written by Author Raymond Briggs
On a cold winter’s night, a snowman comes to life and befriends the little boy who built him – it’s the start of a magical adventure!
They fly high across the frozen countryside down to Brighton Pier, then race home to beat the dawn, but wonder turns to sadness. The next morning, the boy wakes to find his snowman has melted. Sharing this timeless story has become a much-loved part of Christmas, a family tradition that signals the start of the festive season.
What is beneath them?
The 2018 Snowman 50 pence coin depict the famous ‘The Snowman’ character flying high over Brighton Pier, arm in arm with James.
The enchanting Snowman story of a young boy and a snowman who share a magical night of friendship, fun, and flying above the bright Brighton city lights and beneath the stars.
What do the initials N.R. stand for?
N.R. = Natasha Ratcliffe, the designer of the reserve side of this coin
Coloured Snowman Coin?
The sterling silver proof edition is the first British coin to feature a design entirely in colour!
Beware of BU coins on eBay that have had a delay sticker applied, these are not the same as the Silver Proof coins and not from the Royal Mint.
Snowman Activities
- Make some delicious Snowman Coconut Biscuits. Download The Snowman Biscuit Recipe PDF file
- Snowman Paper Star Christmas decoration making instructions – Download PDF
- The Snowman colouring sheet – Download PDF
What is Numismatic Terminology?
If you are not familiar with Numismatic terms, for your reference:
- What does BU mean? Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) means an uncirculated cupro-nickel coin. Has NOT been in general circulation (pocket change).
- What is a Proof coin? Proof Coins (Silver or Gold) have received special treatment in the minting process to ensure a close to a flawless finish. They have been stamped more than 1 time in the press.
- Limited Edition Presentation (LEP) is the maximum number of coins, presented in this specific style, that will be issued.
- Maximum Coin Mintage (MCM) is the maximum number of coins that will be issued, in any presentation style.
The Snowman™ and The Snowdog™ are TM and Copyright Penguin Random House.
