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Royal Mint marks 15 years of Zog with 50p coin

Oscar Edwards
BBC News
The Royal Mint A coin with Zog featured sits on a table with Zog written behind and a circular picture of the dragon and his two parent-dragons waving to him.The Royal Mint
Zog was written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler - the duo behind such books as The Gruffalo and The Highway Rat

A new coin is set to be released celebrating the much-loved children's character Zog.

The 50p will be unveiled by the Royal Mint, in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, marking 15 years since the dragon was created.

The picture book was written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

The pair have previously had their work turned into a commemorative coin when a limited edition Gruffalo's Child 50p was released last year.

Zog tells the story of an accident-prone dragon in school who learns to roar, fly and breathe fire.

There were two books released in 2010 and 2012, with the first winning the Galaxy National Book Award.

The coin will feature the orange Zog flying and s The Royal Mint's childhood characters collection.

This follows previous character coins including The Snowman and Paddington Bear.

The Royal Mint said these had become "treasured items" in collections.

Donaldson said she "never imagined he would fly so far into people's imaginations".

She added: "Seeing our determined dragon on a 50p piece would definitely earn him a golden star from Madam Dragon."

The Royal Mint A woman with brown and blonde hair smiles holding a coin up to the camera.The Royal Mint
Julia Donaldson said she was "delighted" that Zog is being celebrated on a coin

Scheffler said it was an "incredible honour" to see his drawing "transformed onto a coin".

Rebecca Morgan of The Royal Mint said it "continues our tradition of honouring beloved children's literature".

The Zog 50p coin can be purchased on The Royal Mint website, starting at £15 with coloured versions available with a starting price of £25.

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