Royal Mint's Aslan Coin Design Rejected for Resembling a 'Poodle'
In a surprising twist for literary commemorations, the Royal Mint was forced to abandon plans to feature the iconic lion Aslan on a special 50-pence coin after its design was criticised for making the majestic creature look more like a humble 'poodle'. The coin, released in 2023 to celebrate C.S. Lewis's classic novel The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, ultimately featured schoolgirl Lucy and the faun Mr Tumnus instead.
Committee Minutes Reveal Design Flaw
Minutes from a September 2022 meeting of the Royal Mint's advisory committee, obtained by The Mail on Sunday under freedom of information laws, reveal the decisive moment. The committee chair, Baroness Stuart, observed that 'Aslan seemed to have assumed the proportions of a poodle rather than a roaring lion'. This stark assessment led to the immediate rejection of the design, despite earlier enthusiasm for featuring the symbolic king of Narnia.
Initially, the Mint had high hopes for Aslan's inclusion. At a previous meeting in May 2022, committee members expressed strong support for a design centred on the lion, especially after Lady Stuart indicated she 'did not care for the designs featuring the wardrobe'. One member notably praised the concept, pleased that the lion 'had been given a central place, rather than hidden in the undergrowth'.
Technical Challenges and Alternative Designs
A spokesperson for the Royal Mint explained the technical hurdles: 'Several designs were considered during development, including a depiction of Aslan. However, the fine detail of the historic illustration could not be clearly reproduced and alternative designs were progressed.' This issue highlights the challenges of translating intricate literary imagery into the precise medium of coinage, where clarity and detail are paramount.
Despite Aslan's pivotal role as the creator and king of Narnia—a character intended by Lewis as a Christian allegory representing Jesus—his likeness was ultimately excluded from the minted coins. The estate of C.S. Lewis, the theologian author of the 1950 book, was unavailable for comment on the design controversy.
This incident underscores the delicate balance between artistic interpretation and faithful representation in numismatic tributes to beloved cultural works. While Aslan's noble presence was missed, the final coin still honours the enduring legacy of Narnia through its other cherished characters.
