The Royal Mint transformed central London into a real-life MONOPOLY board this week to celebrate the launch of its new collectible 50p coin marking the 90th anniversary of the iconic board game.
A gleaming silver Top Hat – modelled after the game’s classic token but magnified more than 100 times its original size – toured 15 MONOPOLY board locations across the city. Standing two metres tall and weighing more than 16 kilograms, the hat was created by costume specialists Plunge, known for their work on The Masked Singer, and required specialist transport as it made its way across the capital.
The spectacle was part of the “Ultimate UK MONOPOLY Coin Hunt,” in which members of the public were challenged to “Spot the Top” and share a photo of the moving Top Hat on social media with the hashtag #MONOPOLY50p. Participants had the chance to win one of 100 new commemorative coins released by the Mint.
The hunt began on the Strand, with clues dropped throughout the day to lead players on a 10-kilometre chase around iconic London landmarks. A simultaneous digital treasure hunt on the Royal Mint’s website ensured that fans across the country could also take part.
The Royal Mint has released a new 50p coin to celebrate MONOPOLY’s 90th anniversary, marking the first time a board game has been featured on a UK coin. (Images provided by the UK Royal Mint)
In total, 90 of the new coins were awarded to participants, along with nine silver editions and a single solid-gold version. Together, the prize coins were valued at more than £4,000.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, said the project was designed to blend nostalgia with coin collecting. “Every coin we create tells a story, and the MONOPOLY 50p celebrates 90 years of a truly beloved board game,” she said. “We brought an iconic piece of MONOPOLY to life, giving collectors and fans the chance to ‘Spot the Top,’ win a piece of history, and kick start their own coin-collecting adventure.”
Marianne James, Senior Vice President of Global Licensing at Hasbro, said the collaboration was a playful way to honour MONOPOLY’s enduring popularity. “MONOPOLY’s Top Hat is usually found on the board – not dancing through the streets of London,” she said. “The Ultimate UK MONOPOLY Coin Hunt felt like the perfect way to honour the game’s ongoing legacy – and 90th anniversary – and inspire the next generation of players and collectors alike.”
The commemorative coin, created in collaboration with Hasbro, features MONOPOLY-themed design elements, including iconic game pieces. It is available in standard, silver proof and gold proof finishes, with prices starting at £15. Each coin comes packaged in MONOPOLY-branded presentation materials and is available from the Royal Mint’s website at www.royalmint.com/monopoly.