The Royal Mint has launched a new 50p coin to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cluedo's first fictional murder in 1926. The coin features six of the game's most recognizable suspects: Miss Scarlett, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, Mrs Peacock, Reverend Green, and Mrs White.
Tim Mulhall, head of fandom at The Royal Mint, stated that each coin tells a story, and the Cluedo 50p merges two popular British traditions: collecting and storytelling. The coin's design, created by Henry Gray, draws inspiration from the retro aesthetic of the original Cluedo game. The prominent question "WHO, WHERE AND WITH WHAT?" is featured, with specific editions incorporating the game's signature colors. Even the packaging is designed to evoke the Cluedo board and playing pieces.
A notable detail is the inclusion of hidden microtext, featuring character names, locations, and weapons, which can be viewed with a magnifying glass or a phone's zoom function.
The Royal Mint also organized a theatrical launch event at The Chesterfield Hotel in Mayfair. Actress Ellie Leach, who played Miss Scarlett, attended the event, sharing her enthusiasm for the iconic character and game. Leach has previously starred in the UK tour of "Cluedo 2."
Marcia Lewis, daughter of Anthony and Elva Pratt – the Birmingham couple who created Cluedo during World War II – was also present. Anthony Pratt conceived the game's idea during the wartime blackout, with Elva assisting in designing the board. Waddingtons published the game in 1949. Lewis expressed pride in her parents' creation becoming a significant part of British popular culture and participated in striking her own Cluedo coin.
Coin Pricing and Editions
The new coins became available on The Royal Mint website on September 28. The Brilliant Uncirculated 50p is priced at £19.95, with a color version costing £29.95. Neither of these versions has a fixed mintage.
For collectors seeking more substantial options, a colored sterling silver Proof coin is available for £99.50, with a presentation limit of 4,500 and a maximum total mintage of 4,511. A 22-carat gold Proof coin, weighing 15.5g, is priced at £2,495, with a presentation limit of 80 and a maximum mintage of 90.
A smaller 1/40oz fine gold Proof coin, measuring 8mm, is priced at £195. This particular design is by Emma Noble and has a presentation limit of 1,250 with a maximum mintage of 1,260.
Collectibility and Additional Offerings
Dan Hatfield, who covered the launch, advised collectors to purchase editions they will enjoy owning within their budget. He noted that while low mintages can be appealing, scarcity alone does not guarantee value. Future value, he explained, is determined by a combination of scarcity, demand, design, and the story behind the item, suggesting the Cluedo coin is likely to be highly sought after.
Beyond the coins, The Royal Mint is also releasing a Cluedo Advent calendar for £39.95, limited to 2,250 units, which includes 23 milk chocolate coins and a color Brilliant Uncirculated 50p.
An online competition, "The Case of the Missing Coin," launched on September 28, with a new clue released weekly until October 19. Participants must identify a suspect, location, and weapon to enter a prize draw for a gold Cluedo 50p coin valued at over £2,000.
Visitors to The Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant can strike their own Cluedo 50p coin starting October 6. This visitor version features a simplified design by Emma Noble and includes a magnifying glass for examining hidden details against the Cluedo board.
The Cluedo coin represents a legacy that spans from a family's imagination and generations gathered around a board to a piece of British minting history.