During a coin reveal event at its tourist attraction in Llantrisant, South Wales, The Royal Mint showed the world the first Star Wars collectible coin design in its new Star Wars collection. Images of R2-D2TM and C-3POTM are the first to appear as part of a four-coin collection, marking the first time the iconic characters from the original Star Wars trilogy have appeared on official UK coins, including the nation’s most collectible coin, the 50p.
First Star Wars Collectible Coin Design:
Both figures are seen within the Millennium Falcon, the legendary starship that played a role in many important Rebel Alliance and New Republic victories. Each coin in the series will feature a different pair of characters from the Star Wars universe, such as Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, Luke Skywalker and Leia, and Han Solo and Chewbacca. Coin collecting is still the most popular hobby in the United Kingdom, and coins are the most commonly collected item. Fans of the franchise will appreciate the novel approach the Royal Mint took with their Star Wars collection.
British coins featuring characters created by American filmmaker George Lucas have been brought to life by seasoned coin designer Ffion Gwillim in partnership with The Walt Disney Company. The artisans at The Royal Mint used age-old methods and state-of-the-art technology to accurately reproduce the Star Wars characters R2-D2 and C-3PO in full color on official UK coins for the first time. Lenticular elements on each coin in the Star Wars Commemorative Coin Collection tilt in the light to reveal designs. Tatooine and the ‘Starbird’ logo of the Rebel Alliance are featured in the lenticular effect of the first coin in the series.
To guarantee precision and add a unique touch to the coin’s design, The Royal Mint used a picosecond laser to engrave the intricate pattern onto the coining dies. Including it in the Star Wars series will help spread awareness of The Royal Mint’s expert striking techniques to a wider audience. The one exception is the quarter-ounce gold coin, which lacks the lenticular feature in favor of a static image.
The Royal Mint is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the release of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi with the release of an extraterrestrial collection, as stated by Rebecca Morgan, Director of Collector Services at The Royal Mint. They hope that the launch of this collection will excite not only the growing number of Star Wars fans in the United Kingdom and around the world but also newcomers to the hobby of collecting coins.
The Royal Mint has done an excellent job recreating the first two Star Wars characters to appear on coins in the collection—the lovable duo of R2-D2 and C3-PO—for this set. The first coin in a series honoring the franchise’s most recognizable figures will be available online at 9 a.m. (BST) on July 10 in denominations of 50 pence and one troy ounce. All four coins will be available for purchase on the day of the official release.
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