A  rare 50p coin featuring Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman could turn out to be a hidden treasure, as collectors are now willing to pay up to 1,500 times its original value.

If you happen to have one of these special coins, you could be sitting on a windfall worth hundreds of pounds.

Issued in 2008 to mark the 30th anniversary of Briggs’ beloved 1978 children’s book The Snowman, the coin features an iconic image of the Snowman and James, the young boy from the story.

The Britannia Coin Company is currently listing the piece for an astonishing £750, far beyond its face value.

The Snowman follows James as his snowman magically comes to life, taking him on a whimsical, wintry adventure.

The book was later adapted into an animated short film in 1982, which remains a Christmas classic in the UK.

To commemorate the story’s cultural significance, the 50p coin was designed with an intricate engraving of James and his frosty companion, surrounded by fir trees with the word ‘Christmas’ inscribed above them.

On the reverse side, the coin features the traditional portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.

This version of the 50p was released in collaboration with the Pobjoy Mint and sold in a special capsule built into a The Snowman-themed card, designed to be hung as a Christmas tree ornament.

The Britannia Coin Company describes it as an “extremely scarce uncoloured Snowman and James Isle of Man 50p issued in 2008”.

They added: “This sought-after collectable coin is a new edition of a rare Christmas-themed design first issued in 2003, inspired by Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman.

“This 2008 coin, struck for the 30th anniversary, recreates the 2003 design showing James and his snowy companion ready to take to the air in front of some seasonal fir trees.”

If you have a stash of old coins lying around, now is the perfect time to check for this rare 50p piece. With its rising value and high demand, it could be a winter windfall waiting to be discovered.