Both the King and Queen Elizabeth II will feature on a new Harry Potter coin collection from the Royal Mint. The coins are being made to mark 25 years since the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was released in the UK in 1997.
And the Royal Mint has confirmed that the set will be one of "a small number" that will see a change of portrait. The first two coins in the collection will launch this year and feature the portrait of Elizabeth, and the final two coins, launching next year will feature the portrait of Charles.
The first of the series, a 50p coin which depicts a young Harry Potter, is already available to buy from the Royal Mint's website. Prices range from £11 for a brilliant uncirculated 50p to £5,215 for a £200 denomination gold Harry Potter coin.
A colour version of the Harry Potter 50p is available for £20. Other coins in the collection will feature the Hogwarts Express, Professor Albus Dumbledore and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Nicola Howell, chief commercial officer at the Royal Mint said: “As the official maker of UK coins, we are delighted to make a spellbinding coin collection to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. The first coin in the collection, celebrating Harry Potter, will be available for collectors and fans to buy from today.”
Ffion Gwillim, the Royal Mint designer who modelled the artwork onto coins, said: “The Harry Potter illustrations are so iconic and recognisable.”
