The Snowman is being depicted on a new Royal Mint 50p coin 鈥 with a gold version hidden in one of its advent calendars for someone to discover on Christmas Eve.
The Mint said that to further celebrate the launch of The Snowman 2024 collectable 50p, it has hidden a solid gold coin behind door 24 in one limited-edition The Snowman advent calendar, offering someone the chance of 鈥渟triking gold鈥.
The Snowman 50p coin is available in a range of precious metal finishes, including colour editions, on the Royal Mint鈥檚 website, with prices starting at 拢12. It will not be entering general circulation.
The advent calendars will be priced at 拢30, with a total of 3,000 available 鈥 and only one will have a gold proof coin of The Snowman hidden inside.
The new coin celebrates Raymond Briggs鈥 picture book with a new design created by Robin Shaw, who was art director on The Snowman And The Snowdog, the sequel to the original television adaptation.
This year鈥檚 reverse (tails) design shows The Snowman decorating a Christmas tree.
A selection of the coins will feature colour, bringing the story to life on the small canvas of a 50p coin.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: 鈥淭he Snowman collectable 50p has become a Christmas tradition at the Royal Mint, and we are delighted to continue this much-loved story on UK coinage.
鈥淭his year marks The Snowman鈥檚 seventh appearance on a 50p, and Robin Shaw鈥檚 special design expertly captures the magic of Christmas.鈥
Mr Shaw said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honour to see one of my designs appear once again on a 50 pence piece.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 Snowman coin captures the magic of Raymond Briggs鈥 most enduring creation while celebrating The Snowman鈥檚 latest adventure on UK coins.鈥
First published in 1978 as a wordless picture book, The Snowman has since sold 5.5 million copies worldwide.
The book inspired an animated short film that was first broadcast on Channel 4 on December 26 1982.
Thomas Merrington, creative director, Penguin Ventures, said: 鈥淩aymond Briggs鈥 The Snowman is a beloved and magical story that captures the hearts of many families at Christmas every year and we are thrilled our partnership with the Royal Mint continues to flourish with the release of this seventh coin.鈥
From November 11, Snowman fans will also be able to strike their own 50p featuring The Snowman at the Royal Mint Experience, based in Llantrisant in South Wales.