Wicked Commemoratives Defy Gravity

To celebrate 20 years since the musical Wicked opened at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, the Royal Mint has launched a commemorative 50-pence collection. “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,” says Tim Mulhall, head of fandom at the Royal Mint. “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.”

Royal Mint designer Ffion Rees crafted the reverse, which features Elphaba’s hat and broomstick. A clock face appears in the background, with other elements from the musical surrounding the design, including Glinda’s wand and shoes, the Grimmerie spellbook, a flying monkey, cogs, bubbles, and the Wizard of Oz’s hot air balloon. The obverse bears Martin Jennings’s effigy of King Charles III.

The commemorative is available in several editions, including gold proof (mintage 75) and silver proof color (4,000) priced at $3,231 and $123, respectively. Brilliant uncirculated ($20) and brilliant uncirculated color ($37) versions are also available with an unlimited mintage. All 50-pence Wicked commemoratives are offered on the Royal Mint’s website.