2018-11-22 Thu

Pobjoy Mint released a new 50-penny coin for Gibraltar featuring the iconic character, Father Christmas based on two popular children’s books written by Raymond Briggs. The book named “Father Christmas” was published in published in 1973 while “Father Christmas Goes on Holiday” was released in 1975.

Although this character looks like Santa Claus with a white beard and a red suit, Father Christmas is lazy and lives in a normal house with a cat, a dog and 2 reindeer. He also is busy in his daily chores and does not have Mrs. Claus or elves to help him out. The Reverse features Father Christmas holding a sack of presents on one shoulder and a sling bag with a flask hanging from the other. The obverse depicts an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The designs are approved by the Licensor and Buckingham Palace. Interestingly, the last delivery in the book is to the palace as well.

In 1973, the Library Association awarded the first book with the annual Kate Greenaway Medal. It was the best children’s book illustration by a British subject in that year. It was also named as one of the top 10 winning works during the 50th anniversary of the Greenaway medal in 2005.

The coloured copper-nickel version comes in a Christmas card while the uncoloured one comes as a Christmas tree ornament. The 8 grams copper-nickel coins have a diameter of 27.3 millimetres and a mintage limit of 7,500. It can be bought for $16.95 each. The 16 grams Proof .925 fine silver piedfort version has a diameter of 27.3 millimetres and a mintage limit of 1,500 pieces. Each coin can be bought for $84.95.

Image Courtesy: Pobjoy Mint