Collecting Memories – Owl and the Hundred Acre Woods

Always known as a powerful collecting driver, nostalgia is now being proven by The Royal Mint to be a statistical factor in the collection of their Childhood Character coin line, the Winnie the Pooh Collection.

The Royal Mint’s research was completed in preparation for the launch of the latest coin collection inspired by Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, which celebrates the lovable bear’s friend Owl on a 50p coin. The Owl 50 pence is available in proof gold for $1,450, proof silver for $95, brilliant uncirculated copper-nickel with color for $27 and a plain BU example for just $13.50.

This new line in the Winnie the Pooh Collections was put on sale at the Royal Mint website yesterday and while the precious metal examples carry mintage limits of 545 for gold and 18,000 for silver, the copper-nickel color version will be struck up to 45,000 pieces and the plain C-N 50 pence is unlimited.

The Royal Mint’s pre-release survey found that childhood character coins are inspiring new and younger collectors in statistically significant numbers. The results indicate that 74 percent of 18- to 24-year-old collectors pointed to childhood character coins as an inspiration for starting a collection, while 51 percent of 35- to 45-year-olds began collecting with childhood character coins.

For many folks in the hobby of coin collecting any indication that younger audiences are entering the hobby is wonderful news. The idea that childhood character coins are attracting new and younger coin collectors is a significant bit of information for world mints to seriously consider. If it is working well for the Royal Mint in the UK, could this approach benefit other mints in countries with similar shared memories?

The Royal Mint’s research also found that coin collecting interest in the UK is being passed down through generations, with 45 percent of their younger collectors starting the hobby due to a grandparent or older relative introducing it to them.

Here is one great example shared by The Royal Mint in a recent press release:

Mum of two, Januarie Braganza, from London, is a keen childhood character coin collector, on behalf of her 75-year-old mother Sunny Hall and children; 2-year-old Blaise and 1-year-old Winnie. She said:

“My children Winnie and Blaise collect coins with their Nanna Sunny, who has been collecting coins for years. It is a wonderful hobby they can enjoy together, and they regularly speak on Facetime and show their new coins. It makes her so happy to see the children sharing her passion and helps to keep her mind sharp.”

Speaking of the launch of the latest Owl 50p which celebrates 95 years of Winnie the Pooh with a design based on the original E.H Shepard decorations, she added:

“We love the Winnie the Pooh coins best as my daughter has the same name! The latest Owl 50p coin is beautiful, and the colour really brings the character to life. We’re so excited to receive this coin as part of Blaise and Winnie’s collection and Nanna Sunny loves it too!”

Earlier this month, The Royal Mint revealed that coins are officially the most popular collectable item in the UK, with over a third of collectors having a passion for coins (36 percent). Stamps (30 percent) and books (26 percent) came in second and third most popular. The Royal Mint’s Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin Clare Maclennan said:

“Coins are Britain’s favourite collectable item, and their appeal continues to reach new collectors with the increasing popularity of our childhood character coins which celebrate some of the greatest childhood stories and characters we know and love on official UK coin.

“The collectable Owl 50p is the latest release in Winnie the Pooh series, marking the 95th anniversary of the lovable bear. Inspired by the original watercolour decorations of E.H. Shepard, and available in a vibrant special colour edition, the coin is itself a beautiful work of art for collectors of all ages, and we’re so thrilled to see these pieces are inspiring new and younger collectors to get involved.”

The Owl 2021 UK 50p is the fifth release in the nine-coin Winnie the Pooh and Friends collection. See the full Winnie the Pooh commemorative collection on the Royal Mint website here, https://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/events/winnie-the-pooh-collection/

Other modern commemorative coin programs can also be explored at the website of The Royal Mint at www.royalmint.com or investigate the design process for the Winnie the Pooh Collection with Daniel Thorne of the Royal Mint Product Design Team at https://www.royalmint.com/our-coins/events/winnie-the-pooh-collection/how-we-put-pooh-on-a-coin/