The Royal Mint has unveiled a new series of collectable coins to commemorate 50 years of Aardman Animations, the acclaimed studio behind beloved characters such as Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.
The Academy Award-winning animation house, known for its distinctive stop-motion style, is being celebrated with a collection featuring some of its most iconic creations.
The “tails” side of the new 50p coin, designed by Aardman itself, showcases a vibrant ensemble of characters. Among those depicted are the mischievous Feathers McGraw, the ever-popular Shaun the Sheep, the classic Morph, and the much-loved duo Wallace and Gromit. A selection of these coins will also be available in full colour, bringing the intricate designs to life.
open image in galleryTo mark the launch, Aardman co-founder Peter Lord visited The Royal Mint, where he personally struck one of the first 50p coins. The Bristol-based, employee-owned studio has been captivating audiences since the 1970s, building generations of fans with its unique storytelling.
This year, Aardman celebrates its half-century milestone with various events and the upcoming release of a new film, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, this autumn.
Rebecca Morgan, director at The Royal Mint, highlighted the cultural impact of the studio’s creations.
She stated: “Aardman characters have been part of the fabric of British life for 50 years, and the nostalgia they carry is truly extraordinary. Whether you grew up watching Wallace and Gromit on Christmas Day, fell in love with Morph as a child, or introduced Shaun the Sheep to a new generation, these characters hold a very special place in people’s hearts.”
open image in galleryMr Lord expressed his pride in the collaboration, adding: “I’m very proud that the story of Aardman, and the characters we’ve created over the last 50 years, are being celebrated by the work of The Royal Mint. It was such a pleasure to visit and see for myself, close up, the amazing care and artistry that goes into making these beautiful coins. In fact, the whole place reminded me of the Aardman studio – both are full of super-talented artists and craftspeople creating timeless work. We love to bring pleasure and fun to our audiences, and these fabulous coins surely represent that joyous spirit.”
Notably, a gold version of the Aardman 50p will be crafted from recycled gold, sourced from old jewellery and coins. The Royal Mint has announced its ambition to extend this sustainable approach to all its collectable gold coins by the close of 2026.
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open image in galleryThe collectable coins will be available for purchase from 9am on Tuesday, June 9, directly from The Royal Mint’s official website. Alongside brilliant uncirculated and colour editions, collectors can also acquire silver and gold versions. Prices begin at £15 for a brilliant uncirculated 50p coin, £25 for a colour version, £92.50 for a silver coin, and £2,420 for the gold edition.