The World’s First Thunderbirds 50p Coins
“5… 4… 3… 2… 1… Thunderbirds 50ps are GO!”
It’s been six decades since those unforgettable words rocketed onto British television screens, launching one of the most beloved sci-fi series in history. Now, for the first time ever, all five Thunderbirds have landed — not on Tracy Island, but on a set of official 50p coins.
And collectors, it’s a moment you won’t want to miss.
Celebrating 60 Years of Thunderbirds on Official 50p Coins
To mark the 60th anniversary of Thunderbirds, a stunning series of British Isles 50p coins has been released — and it’s truly something special.
Each coin showcases one of the iconic Thunderbird machines — from the sleek, supersonic Thunderbird 1, to the orbital sentinel Thunderbird 5 — all beautifully struck with full-colour designs that pop with detail and personality.
For fans, this is more than a coin release. It’s a celebration of a British sci-fi legacy that pushed the boundaries of imagination, engineering, and storytelling.
What’s on the Coins? Meet the Thunderbirds
Let’s take a closer look at what makes these coins so special:
🔵 Thunderbird 1
The hypersonic rocket plane that’s always first to the scene. Piloted by the ever-capable Scott Tracy, it’s the face of rapid response — and the first line of International Rescue.
🟢 Thunderbird 2
That unmistakable green VTOL craft piloted by Virgil Tracy. Known for transporting heavy rescue gear (and Thunderbird 4, of course), its design was as practical as it was unforgettable.
🔴 Thunderbird 3
The bold red space rocket, operated by Alan Tracy. Its missions in orbit — and beyond — kept the Earth safe from peril in the most extreme situations.
🟡 Thunderbird 4
A fan-favourite! This compact yellow submersible, piloted by Gordon Tracy, handled the dangers of the deep. It’s sleek, agile, and always ready for underwater action.
⚪ Thunderbird 5
Orbiting Earth high above, this communications hub — maintained by John Tracy — was the eyes and ears of the entire operation. No rescue mission could start without it.
Spotlight on the Artist: Lee Sullivan
Bringing the Thunderbirds 50p coins to life is none other than acclaimed comic book artist Lee Sullivan, whose illustrations grace both the coin designs and the accompanying presentation booklets in this special anniversary collection.
Lee made his mark working on iconic titles such as Doctor Who, Transformers, RoboCop, 2000AD, Fireball XL5, and of course — Thunderbirds.
A lifelong fan of the series, Lee began working on Thunderbirds strips for Redan Publishing in the 1990s. What he thought would be a short stint turned into a five-year creative journey, during which he produced nearly all of the originated strips for the title — handling pencilling, inking, and eventually full-colour digital artwork. He also created Thunderbirds illustrations for Redan’s Fun to Learn activity magazines.
His deep connection to the series, combined with decades of illustrative expertise, makes Lee’s contribution to this coin range something truly special. Each coin and booklet is infused with his passion for the franchise — ensuring this collection isn’t just official, but authentic to the spirit of Thunderbirds.
Explore the Full Thunderbirds Coin Range
Don’t wait for International Rescue — these coins are already proving incredibly popular.
In fact, the Thunderbirds Collectors Edition has already sold out, proving just how in-demand these coins are. That’s not just hype — it’s a clear sign that fans and collectors are eager to own a piece of this historic release.
If you don’t want to miss out on the remaining issues, now is the time to act.
👉 Click here to explore the full Thunderbirds coin collection
From single coins to full sets, including premium editions — there’s a release to suit every kind of fan and collector.
