Raymond Briggs’ beloved winter’s tale returns on a 50p coin in 2023, as we celebrate The Snowman™ with a magical new design by award-winning illustrator and animator Robin Shaw.

Originally created by Briggs in 1978 as a wordless picture book, the story has since become synonymous with British Christmas traditions, helped in part by the popular film adaptation starring David Bowie. Traditionally broadcast on Christmas Eve by Channel 4, the tale’s original meaning about the transience of life has evolved to capture the warmth and joy of festive spirit.