London’s cityscape was turned into an enormous Monopoly board to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the iconic game. A giant silver Top Hat was hidden across 15 famous locations, starting from the Strand, with participants deciphering clues throughout the day to locate it in spots like Mayfair and Piccadilly.
The Royal Mint orchestrated the event to mark the release of a special 50p Monopoly coin. London residents were encouraged to find the oversized Top Hat for a chance to secure one of the 100 unique coins. The challenge was made more exciting as the massive Top Hat roamed the city on foot, adding an element of difficulty to the search.
Crafted by Plunge, the Top Hat replica, standing at two meters tall and weighing over 16 kilograms, gleamed in the sunlight, closely resembling the classic game piece. Marianne James from Hasbro, the publisher of Monopoly, expressed enthusiasm, stating that seeing the Top Hat on the streets of London was a unique experience that honored the game’s legacy and sparked interest among new players and collectors.
In conjunction with the physical hunt, a digital treasure hunt was hosted on The Royal Mint’s website, offering the chance to win additional coins. Participants who snapped and shared a photo of the Top Hat stood a chance to win a variety of coins, including one made of solid gold valued at over £4,000.
Rebecca Morgan, the director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, highlighted the significance of the Monopoly 50p coin, emphasizing how each coin tells a story and how this particular coin celebrates 90 years of the beloved board game. The event aimed to engage collectors and fans by bringing a classic Monopoly piece to life and kickstarting a new coin-collecting adventure.
The event also aimed to engage players nationwide through a digital treasure hunt on The Royal Mint’s website, offering additional coins as prizes. Participants who managed to spot and share a picture of the oversized Top Hat had the opportunity to win a total of 90 freshly minted coins, including a rare solid gold coin valued at over £4,000.
Rebecca Morgan, the director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, emphasized the storytelling aspect of coin creation and how the Monopoly 50p coin commemorates the enduring appeal of the game. The event not only celebrated Monopoly’s legacy but also aimed to inspire a new generation of coin collectors and enthusiasts.