Advent calendar will include hidden coin worth £1,300 for one lucky person

Brits have been given the chance to secure a small fortune in their advent calendar this Christmas.

Hidden inside one particular countdown to the big day will be a one of a kind hidden coin, worth a whopping £1,355.

The Royal Mint is behind the scheme as it released a limited edition advent calendar for 2024 in the theme of iconic festive book and film, The Snowman.

In launching the themed advent calendar, The Royal Mint confirmed every calendar would include a collectable 50 pence piece in the theme of The Snowman with it unique in that it will be coloured.

The coin can be found behind the door for 24 December, making it a lovely festive memento heading in to the big day itself.

The new coin celebrates Raymond Briggs’ picture book with a new design created by Robin Shaw, who was art director on The Snowman and the Snowdog, the sequel to the original television adaptation.

But behind one door on one of the calendars, instead of a coloured 50p there will be a solid gold coin.

The Snowman advent calendar for 2024 (Royal Mint)

This coin is worth £1,355 on the open market - with 100 for sale on The Royal Mint website - but is expected to attract massive bids should you sell at auction, given it is a one of a kind find from the calendar run.

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “The Snowman collectable 50p has become a Christmas tradition at the Royal Mint, and we are delighted to continue this much-loved story on UK coinage.

“This year marks The Snowman’s seventh appearance on a 50p, and Robin Shaw’s special design expertly captures the magic of Christmas.”

One lucky person with the advent calendar will land the golden coin (Royal Mint)

Shaw said: “It’s an honour to see one of my designs appear once again on a 50 pence piece.

“This year’s Snowman coin captures the magic of Raymond Briggs’ most enduring creation while celebrating The Snowman’s latest adventure on UK coins.”

Sadly for those wanting the advent calendar, it has sold out on The Royal Mint website, with just 3,000 of them available to the public.

Priced at £30, all 3,000 calendars were sold within 24 hours of going on general sale.

3,000 calendars have been sold, with 2,999 of them having this coloured 50p (Royal Mint)

As we said, you can still get your hands on the golden 50p by buying it from The Royal Mint website for £1,355. Only 100 of these are available for purchase and are expected to sell out quick.

First published in 1978 as a wordless picture book, The Snowman has since sold 5.5 million copies worldwide.

The book inspired an animated short film that was first broadcast on Channel 4 on Boxing Day, 1982.