3042) The Chronicles of Narnia, Unted Kingdom (UK): “Classic Children’s Literature” Coin Series": Gold and Silver Proof and Colour Coins issued by the Royal Mint, UK featuring the works of author C.S. Lewis: Date/Year of Coins issue: 2023:
The Header/Banner showcases the Reverses of the 50 Pence Proof Gold, Silver and Cupro-nickel Coins against a background representation of the children exiting from a cupboard into the fantasy world of Narnia to begin their adventures.
The Royal Mint has continued with its 50 Pence “Classic Children’s Literature Coin Series" with the release of new Proof Gold, Silver and Cupro-nickel Coins, which feature the works of author C.S. Lewis.
The Chronicles of Narnia:
The Chronicles of Narnia is a Fantasy Film Series and Media Franchise based on a series of portal fantasy novels of the same name by Lewis, which revolves around the adventures of children in the world of Narnia.
Guided by Aslan, a wise and powerful lion that can speak and is the King of Narnia, Lewis’ stories have enchanted millions of readers over the last fifty years.
Those magical events have been chronicled in a total of seven publications, which were written to be read in order of their publication.
Lewis dedicated his series of seven children’s books to his goddaughter Lucy Barfield and gave her name to the fictional Lucy Pevensie, who — with her siblings Peter, Susan, and Edmund — are pivotal figures in the series.
The books are, from one to seven - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950), Prince Caspian (1951), The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952), The Silver Chair (1953), The Horse and His Boy (1954), The Magician’s Nephew (1955), and The Last Battle (1956).
The series is considered to be a classic of fantasy literature, which has influenced many other works of fantasy over the years. Books from the series have also been adapted several times for radio, television, stage, and film productions and now, a commemorative coin of the realm.
The series is set in the fictional realm of Narnia, a fantasy world of magic, mythical beasts and talking animals.
It narrates the adventures of various children who play central roles in the unfolding history of the Narnian world.
Except in The Horse and His Boy, the protagonists are all children from the real world who are magically transported to Narnia, where they are sometimes called upon by the lion Aslan to protect Narnia from evil.
The books span the entire history of Narnia, from its creation in The Magician's Nephew to its eventual destruction in The Last Battle.
The Chronicles of Narnia is considered a classic of children's literature and is Lewis's best-selling work, having sold 120 million copies in 47 languages.
The Commemorative 50 Pence Coins:
By combining Royal Mint craftsmanship, innovative minting technology, and colour printing techniques, the reverse side of the seven-sided 50-pence coin, which is designed by Ffion Gwillim, has captured Pauline Baynes’ original illustrations for the stories in exceptional detail and colour.
The Reverses of the 50 Pence Gold, Silver and Cupro-nickel Coins have reproduced in fine detail the original illustration depicting Mr. Tumnus and Lucy walking through the snowy woods in Narnia.
A selection of coins in the range also feature colour, bringing both characters to life as part of the coin’s design.
This special process requires Royal Mint coin designers to digitally translate Pauline Baynes’ illustrations onto the Reverse face of each coin, ensuring that no detail is lost during the process of striking and colour application.
Below the primary design is the stylised text "THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE".
The Obverses of the 50 Pence Gold, Silver and Cupro-nickel Coins of each coin option features the left facing effigy of King Charles III, designed by Martin Jennings.
The denomination "50 PENCE" and year of release "2023" are included.
The Coins have been issued in several 50 Pence Variants:
i) The specifications of the Gold Coin are:
Country: United Kingdom (UK); Coin Series Theme: “Classic Children’s Literature Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "The Chronicles of Narnia"; Coin issue Date/Year: 2023; Denomination: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: .9167 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 15.5 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.3 mm; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Maximum Mintage: 100 pieces; Coin Quality: Proof; Presentation Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes, numbered. Coin Designer: Ffion Gwillim.
Remarks: The Gold Proof coin is encapsulated and presented in a hardwood high-gloss case accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
ii) The specifications of the Silver Coin are:
Country: United Kingdom (UK); Coin Series Theme: “Classic Children’s Literature Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "The Chronicles of Narnia"; Coin issue Date/Year: 2023; Denomination: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Sterling Silver (Ag); Weight: 8.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.3 mm; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Maximum Mintage: 5,000 pieces; Coin Quality: Proof with applied colour; Presentation Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes, numbered. Coin Designer: Ffion Gwillim.
- The Sterling Silver Proof variants are presented in a custom Perspex/Lucite transparent cube case.
iii) The specifications of the Cupro-nickel Coin (first Variant) are:
Country: United Kingdom (UK); Coin Series Theme: “Classic Children’s Literature Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "The Chronicles of Narnia"; Coin issue Date/Year: 2023; Denomination: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: Cupro-nickel (CuNi); Weight: 8.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.3 mm; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Maximum Mintage: Unlimited pieces; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Presentation Case: Blister-pak type Folder; Coin Designer: Ffion Gwillim.
iv) The specifications of the Cupro-nickel Coin (second Variant) are:
Country: United Kingdom (UK); Coin Series Theme: “Classic Children’s Literature Coin Series"; Coin Theme: "The Chronicles of Narnia"; Coin issue Date/Year: 2023; Denomination: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: Cupro-nickel (CuNi); Weight: 8.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.3 mm; Mint: Royal Mint, UK; Maximum Mintage: 10,000 pieces; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) with applied colour (AC); Presentation: Blister-pak type Folder; Coin Designer: Ffion Gwillim.
- Both versions of the 50-pence Brilliant Uncirculated cupro-nickel coins are housed in a blister-pak type folder with informative text and illustrations.
Links:
MV Empire Windrush - 75 Years:
Music Legends Coin Series:
2) Music Giants III, QUEEN, UK: A comprehensive Coin and Stamps Combo issued by the Royal Mail UK in collaboration with the Queen Band and the Royal Mint, UK: Date of Coin & Stamp combo issue: 09.06.2020
Arthurian Links:
1) King Arthur: The first coin in the six coins "Camelot Series"
Links on other Railway Posts on this blog:
1) Celebrating 150 Years of serving the Indian Nation by the Railways in 2002-2003
A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022):
ii) Charles III, United Kingdom: Effigy unveiled on memorial 5 Pound Crowns and 50 Pence Coins
Related Links on this Blog:
Music Legends Coin Series:
2) Music Giants III, QUEEN, UK: A comprehensive Coin and Stamps Combo issued by the Royal Mail UK in collaboration with the Queen Band and the Royal Mint, UK: Date of Coin & Stamp combo issue: 09.06.2020
Links to "Great Engravers Coin Series":
"Tales of the Earth Coin Series": The Second Dinosaurs Collector Coin Series:
Myths & Legends Coin Series:
A Tribute to the Life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022):
3) Hylaeosaurus, United Kingdom: Third and final Coin in a three Coin 50 Pence Coin Series titled "Tales of the Earth - Dinosauria", brought out by the Royal Mint, UK in five variants - Gold, Silver (x 2 coins) and Cupro-nickel (x 2 Coins): Date of coin issue: 01.06.2020
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories/Dependencies:
1) Northern Ireland Polymer Bank Issues: Danske Bank (10 Pounds Polymer Banknotes), Bank of Ireland (5 & 10 Pound Polymer Banknotes) to go into circulation in 2020/21
4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone
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