From Clay to Coin: The Royal Mint Celebrates 50 Years of Aardman with a 50p

Cracking news, Gromit! The Royal Mint today announces the launch of a collectable 50p coin celebrating 50 years of Aardman.

To mark the occasion, Aardman Co-Founder Peter Lord visited The Royal Mint to strike one of the very first 50p coins and he didn't come alone. Morph, one of the most iconic and beloved characters in British television history, made the trip too, making for a fitting moment as two great British institutions came together to celebrate half a century of Aardman's extraordinary creativity.

From the universally beloved exploits of Wallace and Gromit to the timeless antics of Morph and Chas and the farmyard hijinks of Shaun the Sheep and Timmy, Aardman has been turning clay into gold since its first production in 1976, becoming a British institution in the process. This official release, produced in partnership with Aardman, marks our milestone 50th anniversary.

The tails side of the coin, designed by Aardman, features some of the most recognisable characters from the studio's vast back catalogue. The design includes Morph, Shaun the Sheep, Feathers McGraw and, of course, Wallace and Gromit. A selection of the coins will also feature colour, bringing each character to life on metal. At the centre of the design is the Aardman logo and star as a special nod to the studio's 50th anniversary.