Rare coins: Royal Mint releases Dennis the Menace 50p to mark 75 years of Beano mischief - is it worth money?
Dennis and Gnasher are now on a collectible 50p coin, with the chance to strike your own at The Royal Mint 🎨
- Dennis the Menace stars on a new 50p coin to mark 75 years of Beano mischief
- The coin features Dennis and his dog Gnasher
- Available from The Royal Mint, the coins cost £15 for brilliant uncirculated, and £25 for a colour version
- Visitors can strike their own coin at The Royal Mint Experience from February 26
- Collectors may be wondering if it could rise in value
Fans of classic British comics have a new reason to celebrate, as Dennis the Menace is immortalised on a 50p coin to mark 75 years of mischief.
The coin, created in collaboration between The Royal Mint and Beano Studios, features Dennis in his iconic red-and-black striped jumper with his loyal dog Gnasher by his side.
Dennis made his comic debut on March 17, 1951 in Beano issue 452, and the comic itself has been entertaining generations since its first publication on July 30, 1938 by Dundee-based DC Thomson.
Alongside Dennis, beloved characters such as Minnie the Minx, The Bash Street Kids, and Roger the Dodger have also become cultural icons.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coins at The Royal Mint, described the new release as “Dennis’s greatest prank yet,” capturing his mischievous grin, Gnasher at his side, and that “irresistible spirit of rebellion.”
Rob Glenny, executive director at Beano Studios, said: “To see that mischief officially minted is a brilliant way to mark 75 years of laughs, pranks and unleashed imagination.”
How to get a Dennis the Menace 50p
Collectors can buy the coin directly from The Royal Mint’s website, with prices starting at £15 for a brilliant uncirculated version.
The full-colour edition featuring vibrant full-colour printing to bring the famous duo to life is priced at £25.
From Thursday, February 26, visitors to The Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant, South Wales, can also strike their own Dennis the Menace 50p as a souvenir.
Could it be worth more than 50p?
While the coin is legal tender with a face value of 50p, many often wonder if commemorative coins can increase in value.
Some 50p designs, particularly those with low mintages or errors, have become highly sought after, but most modern commemorative coins are produced in significant quantities, which can limit their potential resale value.
That said, coins that are kept in pristine condition, especially colour versions or those with original packaging, may attract collector interest in the future.