The Royal Mint brought the iconic Monopoly Top Hat to life to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the family-favourite board game.
London’s streets were transformed into a gigantic Monopoly board as fans embarked on a citywide hunt for a colossal silver Top Hat, marking the game’s 90th anniversary. The adventure began at the Strand, with clues unveiled throughout the day, guiding players to 15 iconic board locations including Mayfair and Piccadilly.
The Royal Mint organised the stunt to celebrate the release of its commemorative 50p Monopoly coin. Londoners were invited to ‘spot the top’ for an opportunity to bag one of 100 of these special coins. However, the challenge was made trickier as the enormous Top Hat roamed around the city on foot rather than staying in one place.
The gleaming silver Top Hat, identical to the classic game piece and recreated to over 100 times its original size, was crafted by Masked Singer costumiers, Plunge. Standing at two metres tall and weighing over 16 kilograms, it was hard to miss.
Marianne James, senior vice president of global licensing from Hasbro, who publishes the family-favourite game, commented: “Monopoly’s Top Hat is usually found on the board – not dancing through the streets of London.
“The hunt felt like the perfect way to honour the game’s ongoing legacy – and 90th anniversary – and inspire the next generation of players and collectors alike.”
The scale of the hunt was amplified by a digital treasure hunt, taking place at the same time, across The Royal Mint’s website, with an additional nine coins up for grabs. This ensured players nationwide could participate in this historic gaming event.
Those fortunate enough to snap and share a picture of the Top Hat were in for a chance to win 90 freshly minted coins, nine silver coins – and one made of solid gold for the ultimate collector, worth more than £4,000 in total.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, said: “Every coin we create tells a story, and the Monopoly 50p celebrates 90 years of a truly beloved board game.
“To mark its arrival, we brought an iconic piece of Monopoly to life, giving collectors and fans the chance to ‘Spot the Top’, win a piece of history, and kick start their own coin-collecting adventure.
“Just as Monopoly players cherish their winning strategies and favourite game pieces, coin enthusiasts treasure each unique addition to their collection, creating memories that endure through countless games and generations.”
