Among the honors and celebrations of the 200^th Anniversary of the publishing of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s “Frankenstein, or, The Modern Promotheus” is a £2 commemorative coin from Britain’s Royal Mint.

A variety of coins are issued by the mint each year to mark important dates and events in history. For 2018, aside from the Frankenstein 200th coin is 50 pence coin to mark 100 years since women won the vote in England, and another £2 coin celebrating the end of World War One. To add to the noting of women’s suffrage and women authors, Jane Austen now appears on a new polymer fiber £10 bank note.

The novel of Frankenstein was first published briefly on January 1, 1818, but pulled from shelves and officially published on March 11, 1818. The first editions did not have the authors name on them and Mary Shelley would only get accredited in later editions.

The Frankenstein coin from the Royal Mint has no image of the monster, or indeed the author, but the word “Frankenstein” in an electric jolt of type across the middle of the reverse side of the coin and the outer band which notes “Bicentenary of Mary Shelley’s – 1818 The Modern Prometheus 2018”. On the obverse side is the profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, looking particularly jowly in this recent release.

In some press releases it is referred to as the “Dr. Frankenstein” coin, but Victor Frankenstein never achieved the title of “Doctor”, so, more a courtesy title.

Secret Memoirs of Mary Shelley  – E-Book

Secret Memoirs of Mary Shelley – Paperback