The Royal Mint Marks Aardman’s 50th Anniversary With New Collectable 50p

The Royal Mint, a FinTech Wales member based in Llantrisant, has launched a collectable 50p coin celebrating 50 years of Aardman, the world-famous animation studio.

The official UK coin marks half a century of stop-motion storytelling from Aardman, whose much-loved characters include Wallace and Gromit, Morph, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy and Feathers McGraw.

To mark the launch, Aardman Co-Founder Peter Lord visited The Royal Mint to strike one of the very first 50p coins. He was joined by Morph, one of the most recognisable characters in British television history.

The coin has been produced in partnership with Aardman and features a tails-side design created by the animation studio. The design includes Morph, Shaun the Sheep, Feathers McGraw, Wallace and Gromit, alongside the Aardman logo and star as a special nod to the studio’s 50th anniversary.

A selection of the coins will also feature colour, bringing the characters to life on metal.

Rebecca Morgan, Director at The Royal Mint, said: “Aardman characters have been part of the fabric of British life for fifty 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. To honour that legacy on a collectable 50p coin for the very first time feels genuinely momentous and we think it’s, well, quite simply crackers not to own one. This is one of those coins that fans will treasure not just as a collectable, but as a celebration of something that has brought so much joy to so many people.”

Peter Lord, Co-Founder and Creative Director at Aardman, said: “I’m very proud that the story of Aardman, and the characters we’ve created over the last fifty 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.”

The gold version of the Aardman 50p will be produced from recycled gold. According to The Royal Mint, this marks the first time a gold commemorative coin has been made available individually from recycled gold.

The gold has been recycled from old jewellery and coins, representing a milestone in The Royal Mint’s commitment to using sustainably sourced precious metals. The Royal Mint aims to extend this approach to all of its collectable gold coins by the end of 2026.

The coin launches at 9am on 9 June 2026 and is available to purchase from The Royal Mint website.

Collectors can also strike their own Aardman 50p from 3 August to 5 October, with a mini exhibition celebrating 50 years of Aardman on display at The Royal Mint Experience from 3 August to 13 September.