UK Royal Mint uses the force for Star Wars coin collection

From Skywalker to Vader, series will mark 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi

All change for 50p coins as R2-D2 and C-3PO will be added in colour for the first time. Photo: Royal Mint

A collection of commemorative coin designs will be released by the UK's Royal Mint to mark the 40th anniversary of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

It is the first time characters from the sci-fi series will feature on an official UK coin.

The third film of the original trilogy, starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, was released in 1983.

Characters including friendly robots C-3PO and R2-D2 will be the first to feature on the 50p coins as part of the four-coin collection.

Other coins will feature Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, the villainous Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Han Solo and Chewbacca.

Experienced coin designer Ffion Gwillim has brought the characters to life by working in collaboration with Disney.

Combining traditional minting techniques with cutting-edge technology, the Royal Mint's craftspeople have been able to reproduce R2-D2 and C-3PO in colour for the first time on the coins.

Each coin in the Star Wars collection features a special lenticular feature which reveals symbols when tilted in the light.

The lenticular feature on the first coin in the collection features both Tatooine and the Rebel Alliance "Starbird" logo.

The intricate designs were imprinted onto the coins using an advanced picosecond laser to ensure accuracy and create an additional, special effect.

Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at the Royal Mint, said: "We are delighted to launch an out-of-this-world collection to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

"We are excited to enthuse new and existing coin collectors across the world, as well as Star Wars' thriving fan base, both in the United Kingdom and internationally, with the launch of this collection."

The first coin in the collection celebrating the characters from Star Wars, which comes in a 50p, will be available to purchase at 9am on the Royal Mint's website on Monday.