New “Harry Potter” Coin Designs from the Royal Mint Announced
It may not be Galleons or Sickles or Knuts, but Harry Potter-inspired currency is soon making its way into circulation around the United Kingdom from the Royal Mint.
As a celebration of the 25 years since the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, yet-to-be-revealed coin designs will be inspired by the Boy Who Lived, Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts, and the Hogwarts Express. The exciting reveal from the Royal Mint came after a proclamation from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II “determining the specifications and designs for a new series of two hundred pound, twenty-five pound and fifty pence gold coins; a new series of ten pound, five pound, two pound and fifty pence silver coins; and a new series of fifty pence cupro-nickel coins” was announced by the Gazette.
All eight of the aforementioned coinage will include a variety of designs that have been described only in text form so far, which only makes the anticipation grow stronger. An exciting aspect of the £2 silver coin is that it has been confirmed to include the iconic quote from Dumbledore, “NITWIT! BLUBBER! ODDMENT! TWEAK!” along the edge.
Another £2 silver coin will include an inscription of Hogwarts’s slogan, which provides students with the sage advice “DRACO DORMIENS NUNQUAM TITILLANDUS.” Any true Hogwarts student would wisely remember such a slogan at the drop of a hat, but if it’s been a while since you’ve read it, the Latin phrase translates to “never tickle a sleeping dragon” in English.
These UK coins will all be legal tender and are made so by the effigy of Her Majesty on the side opposite the magical designs. Even if the public can spend said currency on anything from a sandwich to a brand-new wand, it may be a worthy opportunity to start a fun Potter-themed coin collection.
In its announcement of the new collection, the Royal Mint also extends an invitation “to take part in an enchanting event streamed live from [t]he Royal Mint Experience,” where one of the new designs will be revealed for all to see. The event, scheduled for Thursday, September 8, works out to be just days after Hogwarts would be back in session and students would be starting yet another year of magical learning. The livestream starts at 7:00 p.m. BST (2:00 p.m. ET) and will be followed by a panel discussion and an opportunity for a Q&A with the panelists.
