My precious: Lord of the Rings anniversary coin with ‘groundbreaking’ feature launched

A new coin has been launched - (The Royal Mint/PA Wire)

A new 50p collectable coin, launched by the Royal Mint, is set to enchant fans of The Lord of the Rings with a unique, hidden feature.

The release marks the 25th anniversary of Peter Jackson’s cinematic epic, The Fellowship of the Ring.

This coin is the inaugural piece in a seven-strong collection, developed in collaboration with Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products. Over the next three years, subsequent releases will commemorate the 25th anniversaries of all three films in the beloved fantasy series.

Designed by Royal Mint coin designer Thomas T Docherty, the coin’s reverse side prominently features the One Ring, the powerful artefact central to JRR Tolkien’s saga. It is inscribed with the iconic Elvish lettering and Black Speech: "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."

A selection of these 50p coins boasts a "groundbreaking" design element. When light strikes the surface, a hidden image of the Eye of Sauron is revealed, emerging from the negative space at the centre of the Ring. Craftspeople at The Royal Mint meticulously engineered the coin’s surface to focus light in this precise manner.

The coin will be available to buy from Wednesday morning (The Royal Mint/PA Wire)

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, commented: "Even the most devoted Fellowship of collectors couldn’t have imagined a coin quite like this. To mark 25 years since Peter Jackson first brought Middle-earth to the big screen, The Royal Mint have unveiled a collectable 50p coin to celebrate the anniversary."

Highlighting the innovative caustic technology, Ms Morgan added: "It’s a remarkable feat of British craftsmanship, and one that fans will have to see to believe. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a dedicated collector this is one coin you absolutely will want to own."

Each coin will be presented in packaging featuring a map of Middle-earth, designed for both individual and collective display. The Lord of the Rings 50p coin will be available for purchase from 9am on 20 May via the Royal Mint’s website, with prices starting at £15.