A rare 50p coin featuring Raymond Briggs' The Snowman could land you quite the windfall - as it's now selling for 1,500 times its original value. The coin, issued in 2008, features an image of Briggs' characters the Snowman and James from his 1978 children's book The Snowman.
![[The hard-to-find piece is so sought after that the Britannia Coin Company now lists it for £750 - far beyond its initial value]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/20/15/95411045-14417689-image-a-9_1740066374081.jpg)
The hard-to-find piece is so sought after that the Britannia Coin Company now lists it for £750 - far beyond its initial value. The Snowman follows the story of James, whose snowman comes to life at night and plunges him into a festive adventure set amongst wintry scenes.
![[On the back is the traditional portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, the fourth coin portrait of Her Majesty used on UK and Crown Dependency currency]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/20/15/95411039-14417689-image-a-10_1740066378671.jpg)
The children's book, which was animated 1982, has become a mainstay of Christmastime for families - and inspired a coin for its 25th and 30th anniversaries. The silver coin has the iconic image of the Snowman and James - alongside both their names - on one side, with etchings of fir trees and the word 'Christmas' above.
On the back is the traditional portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, the fourth coin portrait of Her Majesty used on UK and Crown Dependency currency. The coin was first issued in 2003, for the 25th anniversary of The Snowman, but this particular version was released in 2008 in partnership with the Pobjoy Mint to mark the 30th.
The coin, issued in 2008, features an image of Briggs' characters the Snowman and James from his 1978 children's book The Snowman. The hard-to-find piece is so sought after that the Britannia Coin Company now lists it for £750 - far beyond its initial value.
It was sold in a clear capsule, that was built into a The Snowman-themed card. This could be hung as a Christmas tree decoration, adding to the already festive theme of the 50p coin. The Britannia Coin Company writes: 'Extremely scarce uncoloured Snowman and James Isle of Man 50p issued in 2008.
'This sought-after collectable coin is a new edition of a rare Christmas-themed design first issued in 2003, inspired by Raymond Briggs' The Snowman, first published in 1978. 'The magical tale of a young boy’s snowman coming to life was adapted into a short animated film in 1982 which has become a mainstay of British festive TV schedules.
'This 2008 coin, struck for the 30th anniversary, recreates the 2003 design showing James and his snowy companion ready to take to the air in front of some seasonal fir trees.'. On the back is the traditional portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, the fourth coin portrait of Her Majesty used on UK and Crown Dependency currency.
