The Snowman 50p coin unveiled by Royal Mint for Christmas

The collectable coin celebrates Raymond Briggs' classic 1978 children's book

A new collectable coin celebrating The Snowman has been launched by the Royal Mint.

The design retells Raymond Briggs' classic children's book about James, a young boy who builds a snowman that comes to life.

It is the first of the Royal Mint's 50p Christmas coins to feature the official coinage portrait of King Charles.

First published in 1978, The Snowman has sold more than 5.5 million copies around the world.

• New coins designed to help children add up

• Harry Potter coin to be last with Queen's image

The 2023 coin design is the sixth Snowman edition to be added to the Royal Mint's Christmas series.

Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at the Royal Mint, said: "Continuing our partnership with award-winning illustrator Robin Shaw, we are excited to release another original festive coin that brings Raymond Briggs's story to life in a new way.

"This year's edition of The Snowman coin is particularly special, being the first of our Christmas coins with King Charles III's effigy on its obverse.

"We hope that people love the coin's design and look to collect a piece of British Christmas history."

Author-illustrator Briggs died last August at the age of 88.

The Snowman was turned into a Bafta TV award-winning animated TV film in 1982.

It also received an Oscar nomination for best animated short film.

It was first broadcast on Boxing Day 1982 and has been shown almost every Christmas since.