Celebrating Monopoly's 90th anniversary: Is a valuable, scarcely found edition of the game within your reach?
Monopoly, the classic board game that has become an indelible part of many family gatherings, Christmases, and rainy weekends in Britain, celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2020. This beloved game, first launched in 1935, has since sold more than 275 million copies worldwide and been translated into 47 languages.
The game's creator, Charles Darrow, handmade a complete set in 1933, which later sold for $146,000 at auction in 2010. This rare "White Box" edition, featuring the original game pieces and cards, is considered one of the most valuable Monopoly sets ever sold.
One of the unique features of the Monopoly game is the coin, which showcases Mr Monopoly, playing pieces, and property cards. The coin has a lenticular feature on the 'GO' symbol, that transitions to the M money symbol when the coin is titled. These coins, available in color, silver, and gold options, can be purchased from the Royal Mint for £15.
Luxury editions of Monopoly can fetch a high price. For instance, a Franklin Mint Collector's Edition set routinely sells for over £100, and a collector's edition set with a game table and a certificate of authenticity sold for £1,841 in 2023. Earlier this month, a glass protector for a collector's edition Monopoly set sold on Ebay for more than $100.
The history of Monopoly is not just limited to its commercial success. During the Second World War, British intelligence services created a set of Monopoly containing hidden escape tools. These wartime sets, featuring a spinner and wooden pieces due to wartime shortages, often sell for more than £40.
In 2020, an East Grinstead edition of Monopoly with gold playing pieces, produced in limited quantities (7), was rumored to sell for £2,000. This special edition, featuring London locations, was created by Waddingtons.
The Royal Mint has also joined in the celebration of Monopoly's 90th anniversary by launching a commemorative 50 pence coin. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, anticipates collectors to treasure this coin as a unique addition to their collections.
Whether it's the nostalgia of playing the game as a child, the thrill of building a property empire, or the simple joy of rolling the dice, Monopoly continues to captivate players worldwide. One can only wonder what the future holds for this iconic game.
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