Just like magic… The Snowman™ returns to UK 50p

For me, Christmas isn’t complete without The Snowman™. Every year, it’s guaranteed to put a smile on my face.

First published in 1978, the book has sold more than 5.5 million copies in 15 different languages! In 1982, the story was also adapted into an animated film by Channel 4.

Whichever version you prefer, it’s fair to say The Snowman™ has earned its title as one of the world’s greatest tales.

One of my favourite scenes from the tale, is when James is building his Snowman and we see him draw on a big smile.

So, this is why the 2021 UK Snowman 50p, is one of my favourite festive coins. This exact scene from the book can be seen on the design of this 50p and if you’re like me, it’s bound to warm your hearts this winter.

The new design by award winning illustrator and animator, Robin Shaw, continues the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved festive tale, The Snowman™.

It would be hard to find someone who doesn’t have fond memories of this magical festive tale, making this 50p the perfect Christmas gift for collectors and Snowman fans alike.

As you’d expect with such a special 50p, your coin has been struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality and carefully encapsulated in Official Change Checker Packaging with the all-important security hologram, guaranteeing its quality.

Whether you’re treating yourself, or a loved one this Christmas, there’s snow way you’ll want to miss this 50p issue. To secure yours for JUST £4.50 (+p&p), simply click here >>


In the rest of this blog, I give you my top tips for building your own snowman and I invite you to discover the history of The Snowman™ on coins.

So, grab yourself a blanket, a cup of cocoa, and cosy up!


2020 UK The Snowman 50p

Issued in 2020 to continue the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of Raymond Briggs’ classic Christmas tale, Robin Shaw’s design of this 50p takes inspiration from the friendship between The Snowman™ and James.

This coin is no longer on sale at The Royal Mint, meaning it’s not as easy to get hold of. Luckily, Change Checker has some remaining stock of this charming 50p. To secure yours whilst stock lasts, click here >>

2019 The Snowman 50p

In 2019The Snowman™ made his second UK 50p appearance, featuring alongside his friend James, set against the snowy mountains they famously fly over in the tale.

At the time of its release, it was the second Christmas 50p to be ever be released in the UK, with previous festive releases being dedicated to the £5 coin!

2018 The Snowman 50p

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Christmas classicNatasha Ratcliffe’s design of this 2018 50p features The Snowman and James ‘walking in the air’

This 50p was so popular that the Silver Proof version completely SOLD OUT on the first day of issue!


Whilst the 2018 release marked the first time that The Snowman™ appeared on a UK coin, it’s not the first time that this frosty friend has appeared on a 50p…

Isle of Man Snowman 50ps

Over the years, The Snowman has featured on a number of different 50ps from The Isle of Man, some of which are incredibly sought after.

eBay sold listing for the 2003 Isle of Man Snowman 50p

One such coin from 2003 featuring James and The Snowman™ sold for over £250 on the secondary market in 2019 – not a bad return on a 50p coin!

Isle of Man coinage is particularly sought-after by collectors as mintages are significantly lower than in the UK, due to a population of around 85,000.

As these coins are very similar in appearance and specification to UK coins, they can sometimes find their way over here when people return from holidaying on the island.


As winter approaches and the weather gets even colder, it’s got me thinking about building my own snowman…

Source: Francisco AnzolaCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Here are some helpful tips so you can build the best snowman this year!

  1. The best time to pack snow is when it approaches melting point and becomes moist and compact. This means you can build a big snowball by simply rolling it (which saves a lot of your energy!)
  2. A good time to build a snowman may be the next warm afternoon directly following a snowfall with a sufficient amount of snow. This ensures the snow has had time to approach melting point!
  3. Protect your snowman from the sun damage! Give your snowman the best shot at a long life by situating it someplace flat and shady and face it away from the sun.
  4. Help your snowman find its balance! Aim for a 3-2-1 snowball ratio and remember, the lower to the ground your snowman is, the more stable it will be.
  5. Jim Sysko, an expert snowman builder who worked on the largest snowman in the world, suggests flattening the top of each snowball before placing the next one on top. That way your snowman will have more stability.
  6. Personalise your snowman! Just because the process of building a snowman has remained unchanged for centuries, doesn’t mean you can’t add your own spin on things with decorations! Why not give it a funky cap or repurpose last year’s Christmas jumper?

I’d love to know in the comments if you’ve got any other tips for building a snowman!


The 2021 UK The Snowman™ 50p is definitely my favourite festive 50p of recent years. Which Snowman 50p is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!


Secure the 2021 UK The Snowman 50p today!

Secure yours today for JUST £4.50 (+p&p) by simply clicking here >>

As you’d expect with such a special 50p, your coin has been struck to a superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality and carefully encapsulated in Official Change Checker Packaging with the all-important security hologram, guaranteeing its quality.

The Snowman™ is back! Brand new UK 50p JUST released!

It’s a magical day indeed as this morning, The Snowman™ has made a return to the UK’s favourite coin, the 50p!

2020 UK The Snowman 50p. Secure yours here >>

This brand new 50p has been issued to continue the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the much-loved festive tale, The Snowman™!

In this latest release we see James and the Snowman embracing in a scene that is sure to warm your hearts this festive season!

Designed by Robin Shaw, this brand new 50p brings our favourite Christmas character to life exactly how we remember him from the famous tale.

With such a special issue, this coin is available in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality from JUST £4.50 (+p&p)

Secure yours here >>

But this isn’t the first time we’ve seen The Snowman™ feature on a 50p! Previous Snowman 50p coins from The Royal Mint have proved incredibly popular with collectors and have even seen sell outs within just hours of release!

So, grab yourself a blanket and a mug of hot chocolate and cosy up, as we take a look at the history of The Snowman on coins…

2019 UK Snowman 50p

2019 UK Snowman 50p

In 2019, The Snowman™ made his second UK 50p appearance, featuring alongside his friend James, set against the snowy mountains they famously fly over in the tale.

At the time of its release, it was the second Christmas 50p to be ever be released in the UK, with previous festive releases being dedicated to the £5 coin.

This coin is still available to order in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for JUST £4.50 but we have STRICTLY LIMITED STOCK remaining, so act fast.

Click here to secure yours >>

2018 UK Snowman 50p

2018 UK Snowman 50p

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Christmas classic, Natasha Ratcliffe’s design features The Snowman and James ‘walking in the air’

Issued as the very first UK Christmas 50p and very first UK Snowman issue, this coin was destined to be popular amongst collectors!

In fact, it was so popular that the Silver Proof version completely SOLD OUT on the first day of issue!

Whilst the 2018 release marked the first time that The Snowman has appeared on a UK coin, it’s actually not the first time that this frosty friend has appeared on a 50p…

Isle of Man Snowman 50ps

Over the years, The Snowman has featured on a number of different 50ps from The Isle of Man, some of which are incredibly sought after.

eBay sold listing for the 2003 Isle of Man Snowman 50p

One such coin from 2003 featuring James and The Snowman™ recently sold for over £250 on the secondary market – not a bad return on a 50p coin!

Isle of Man coinage is particularly sought-after by collectors as mintages are significantly lower than in the UK, due to a population of around 85,000.

As these coins are very similar in appearance and specification to UK coins, they can sometimes find their way over here when people return from holidaying on the island.

Have you found an Isle of Man Snowman 50p on your travels or perhaps one has mistakenly made its way into your change! Let us know in the comments below!


It seems as though this frosty friend is a festive favourite amongst collectors but we want to know which Snowman 50p is your favourite!

Let us know in the comments below!


Gift The Snowman 50p this Christmas for JUST £4.50 (+p&p)

Secure yours today by clicking here >>

This coin really is the perfect festive treat for a loved one or even as a gift to yourself.

To secure the 2020 UK The Snowman™ 50p for just £4.50 (+p&p), click here >>

There’s nothing ‘Bah, Humbug’ about these brand new Isle of Man ‘A Christmas Carol’ £2 coins!

A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, is arguably one of Charles Dickens’ most famous novels – teaching us to keep the spirit of Christmas and kindness in our hearts all year round.

2020 Isle of Man ‘A Christmas Carol’ £2 Coin Trio. Secure yours here >>

And, in this 150th year since the passing of the greatest novelist of the Victorian Era, Charles Dickens has been celebrated with the release of three enchanting £2 coins, each inspired by his timeless festive tale, including:

  • Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present
  • Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past and Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
  • Scrooge with Tiny Tim as a representation of his redemption

The 2020 Isle of Man ‘A Christmas Carol’ £2 Set is a truly unique festive addition to any collection this Christmas season, or could even make the perfect Christmas gift or stocking filler for a friend or relative!

We only have a limited stock available for Change Checkers, so don’t miss out on your chance to own this BRAND NEW 2020 ‘A Christmas Carol’ £2 Set for JUST £25.00 (+p&p) by clicking here >>


Following in the popularity of previous Isle of Man Christmas coins, this set is sure to be in high demand amongst collectors.

JUST 3,000 of each design will be entering circulation on the Isle of Man, so these coins will be particularly hard to come by, as i’m sure collectors on the island will be quick to snap them up!

Let’s a take a look at some other festive issues we’ve seen from the Isle of Man…

2019 Santa £2

2019 Isle of Man Santa £2

Traditionally, the Isle of Man release Christmas themed 50ps most years, however last year, this incredibly popular Santa £2 coin was released

This magical design features an enchanting portrait of Old St. Nick and bears the inscription ‘Nollick Ghennal’ which is Manx for ‘Merry Christmas’.

At the top of the coin, the distinctive Isle of Man Triskelion (three armoured legs) can be seen.

2003 Snowman 50p

2003 Snowman 50p

2003 marked the very first time The Snowman featured on circulating coinage.

The Isle of Man released a limited-edition coin to mark the 25th anniversary of the release of the ‘The Snowman’ by Raymond Briggs.

Only 10,000 of these coins were ever minted, which makes it incredibly sought-after. In fact, this coin sells for well over face value on the secondary market, often fetching more than £200!

Since 2003, the Snowman has featured on a number of Isle of Man Christmas coins, and has even made two appearances on UK coins, which have been incredibly popular with collectors!

2018 Hunt the Wren £2

2018 Isle of Man Hunt the Wren £2

On boxing day on the Isle of Man, communities come together across the island to dance and sing in the streets around “the king of all birds” who is paraded around on a pole. 

Hunt the Wren, as it is known on the island has become one of the most popular yet more unusual Manx traditions in practice today.

The practice dates back to Pagan times and is centred on the wren bird, which is hunted and then danced through the streets on a special pole.

This £2 coin was issued in 2018 by The Isle of Man to celebrate the Manx tradition.

2013 Christmas Wreath and Stocking 50p

2013 Isle of Man Christmas Wreath and Stocking 50p. Source: Coin Update.

This festive 50p was issued in 2013 on the Isle of Man and features a traditional Christmas wreath and stocking.

It is estimated that only 30,000 of these coins entered circulation on the Isle of Man, making them particularly sought-after. Due to the island having a population of less than 85,000, mintages tend to be much lower than we see in the UK.


Let us know in the comments below what you think of these brand new A Christmas Carol £2 coins!

Will you be bringing them home this Christmas?


Secure this set of three ‘A Christmas Carol’ £2 coins to your collection today!

Secure yours today by clicking here >>

These coins truly are a wonderful addition to any collection and can even make the perfect gift for a loved one!

Secure yours today for JUST £25.00 (+p&p) by clicking here >>