Royal Mint launches new 50p coins featuring the Gruffalo

Coins depict famous character meeting Mouse in the woods

(Royal Mint

Fans of the Gruffalo are in for a treat as a range of new 50p coins depicting the famous character have been launched.

The new designs depict the moment the children’s storybook character meets with Mouse in the woods.

The new coin, which has been produced by the Royal Mint, will not be entering general circulation but is available to buy from its website.

An uncirculated version can be snapped up for £10, while a silver version is available for £65 and a gold Gruffalo coin is priced at £980.

The famous story, which was written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, was first published 20 years ago.

It has become a firm bedtime reading favourite for children all over the globe, having sold 14.5m copies worldwide.

This isn’t the first time the Royal Mint has produced a 50p coin featuring the character.

(Royal Mint)

Earlier this year, gold and silver versions were launched to celebrate the books 20th anniversary.

The coins, which featured close-up illustrations of the Gruffalo alone, sold out within a day of going on sale in February.

Nicola Howell, director of consumer at the Royal Mint said: “Following the fantastic response to the Gruffalo’s debut appearance on a 50p coin to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the book, we are delighted to introduce an additional coin capturing Mouse and Gruffalo’s first meeting, continuing the story of one of the world’s most favourite literary monsters on UK coins.”

(Royal Mint)

Donaldson, said: “The launch of the first Gruffalo coins in February was a great 20th birthday present for him, and the issue of a second collectable 50p coin in the same year feels like the icing on his birthday cake.”

Scheffler added that he hopes the story of the Gruffalo and the new coins will be something children that children can cherish "for a long time".

(Royal Mint)

“Having never imagined that the Gruffalo would appear on a coin, it is great that we have two coins in the 20th year of the book," he said.

Other children’s favourites which have appeared on coins include a sell-out Beatrix Potter character collection as well as Paddington and the Snowman.