Fans of The Lord of the Rings will soon be able to acquire a new collectable 50p coin launched by The Royal Mint on Wednesday. The release commemorates the 25th anniversary of Peter Jackson's film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
A Seven-Coin Collection
Created in partnership with Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products, this coin is the first in a seven-strong series celebrating the epic fantasy films over the next three years. Future releases will mark the 25th anniversaries of all three films in the trilogy.
Design Details
The coin's design centres on the One Ring, the iconic symbol from JRR Tolkien's saga. Designed by Royal Mint coin designer Thomas T Docherty, the reverse side features Elvish lettering and Black Speech inscribed on the Ring, representing the words: “One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.”
A selection of the 50p coins includes a groundbreaking feature: when light strikes the surface, a hidden image of the Eye of Sauron emerges from the negative space at the centre of the Ring. Craftspeople at The Royal Mint engineered the coin's surface to focus light precisely.
Expert Comments
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, said: “Even the most devoted Fellowship of collectors couldn’t have imagined a coin quite like this. To mark 25 years since Peter Jackson first brought Middle-earth to the big screen, The Royal Mint have unveiled a collectable 50p coin to celebrate the anniversary.”
Highlighting the caustic technology used to reveal the hidden Eye of Sauron, Ms Morgan added: “It’s a remarkable feat of British craftsmanship, and one that fans will have to see to believe. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a dedicated collector this is one coin you absolutely will want to own.”
Packaging and Availability
Each coin's packaging features a map of Middle-earth, designed so that the collection can be displayed together or individually. The Lord of the Rings 50p coin is available to purchase from 9am on May 20 via The Royal Mint's website, with prices starting at £15.
