Tuesday, December 6, 2011

New Charles Dickens coin honors author

This picture made available by Britain's Royal Mint taken Nov. 9, 2011, shows the new 2 pound sterling coin with the Queen's head, right, and the reverse with the image of Charles Dickens, made up from some of the titles of his most famous novels, which has been created to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth on 7 February 1812. (AP Photo/David Parry) EDITORIAL USE ONLY

This picture made available by Britain's Royal Mint taken Nov. 9, 2011, shows the new 2 pound sterling coin with the Queen's head, right, and the reverse with the image of Charles Dickens, made up from some of the titles of his most famous novels, which has been created to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth on 7 February 1812. (AP Photo/David Parry) EDITORIAL USE ONLY

This picture made available by Britain's Royal Mint taken Nov. 9, 2011, shows the reverse of the new 2 pound sterling coin with the image of Charles Dickens, made up from some of the titles of his most famous novels, which has been created to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth on 7 February 1812. (AP Photo/David Parry) EDITORIAL USE ONLY

(AP) ? The Royal Mint has come up with a novel way to wish Charles Dickens a happy 200th birthday ? a new coin with a portrait of the author made up of the titles of some of his most famous fictional works.

The two-pound ($3.20) uncirculated collectible coin will be available via the Royal Mint's website for a price of 8.50 pounds ($13) starting this week, officials said.

Coins designed for circulation will be available early next year to mark Dickens' birthday. The celebrated Victorian novelist was born two centuries ago on Feb. 7, 1812.

The design released Tuesday shows a portrait by artist Matthew Dent that uses titles like "David Copperfield" and "A Christmas Carol" to form a silhouette of Dickens' face.

"I wanted the design of the coin to reference both the immense contribution Dickens has made to British literature and his iconic portrait," Dent said.

The portrait is based on a bust of the author on display at the Charles Dickens Museum in London.

The edge of the coin is inscribed with the quotation "Something will turn up," associated with the ever-optimistic Wilkins Micawber character in "David Copperfield."

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Online: www.royalmint.com

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2011-12-06-EU-Britain-Dickens-Coin/id-da7abb7b2c6a40478ef3edc70de38980

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