The Royal Mint has unveiled a new 50p coin celebrating 20 years of the hit West End musical Wicked.
Launched today (September 17), the commemorative coin marks two decades since the show opened at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre in September 2006.
Since then, Wicked has been performed more than 7,500 times in the capital and has attracted nearly 14 million audience members.
There are several versions of the coin, worth at least 39 times its face value.
Royal Mint releases new 50p to mark 20 years of London's Wicked musical
Tim Mulhall, head of fandom at The Royal Mint, said: "For millions of fans around the world, Wicked isn’t just a musical, it’s a story that stays with you long after the curtain falls.
"This collection lets fans hold a piece of that magic in their hands: a coin that captures the friendship, the flying broomsticks and the unforgettable colours of Oz.
"Whether you’re a coin collector, you’ve seen the show a hundred times or you’re simply drawn to the story of Elphaba and Glinda, this is a way to carry a little bit of that wonder with you, wherever you go."
The reverse design of the coin features iconic imagery from the show, including Elphaba’s hat and broomstick, Glinda’s wand and shoes, the Grimmerie spellbook, a flying monkey, and the Wizard of Oz in his hot air balloon.
The coin is available in several editions, with prices starting at £19.50 (39 times its face value), and some versions include colour detailing inspired by the musical’s signature green and pink palette.
A gold edition has been crafted using recycled gold, part of The Royal Mint’s goal to use recycled materials for all collectable gold coins by the end of 2026.
Each coin comes in packaging inspired by the London stage production.
A spokesperson for Wicked London said: "We are proud to have Wicked immortalised on an official UK coin as part of our landmark anniversary, offering fans and collectors alike a magical opportunity to commemorate the date long after the curtain falls on the celebrations."
The coins launch at 9am today (September 17) and can be purchased from The Royal Mint’s website.
What makes a coin valuable?
Many things that can make a coin valuable, and all different types of British change can be worth more than their face value.
The 50 pence piece has become the most valued and collected coin in the UK.
It is the largest of any British coin with a 27.5mm diameter, allowing space for decorative pictures.
It has often been used to celebrate big events over British history.
The rarest coins tend to be the most valuable, with mintage (the number of coins of each design made) being the primary attraction for collectors.
Along with the design, other aspects of the coin that increase its value are its condition and whether it has a design error.
The way in which it is sold can also determine the coin’s value, with some coin collectors bidding vast amounts of money on eBay or at auction.
Others may opt for more robust valuations by selling via a coin dealer.
Recommended reading:
- Royal Mint's 9 rarest coins revealed and the rare £2 worth more than £500
- The rare Royal Mint 50p coin selling for more than 350 times its face value
- Royal Mint reveals rarest version of each British coin including 20p, 50p and more
Royal Mint's top 10 most valuable 50p coins
Here is a list of the top 10 most valuable coins, when they were made, and how many were minted:
- Atlantic Salmon (2023), 200,000
- Kew Gardens (2009), 210,000
- Olympic Wrestling (2011), 1,129,500
- Olympic Football (2011), 1,161,500
- Olympic Judo (2011), 1,161,500
- Olympic Triathlon (2011), 1,163,500
- Peter Rabbit (2018), 1,400,000
- Flopsy Bunny (2018), 1,400,000
- Olympic Tennis (2011), 1,454,000
- Olympic Goalball (2011), 1,615,500
Have you ever collected or found a rare coin? Let us know in the comments.
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