LONDON’S streets were turned into a real-life Monopoly board as fans hunted a giant silver Top Hat to mark the game’s 90th anniversary.
Standing an impressive two metres tall and weighing over 16 kilograms, the gleaming silver Top Hat is identical to the classic game piece, which was boosted to over 100 times its original size.
The stunt marked the launch of the 50p Monopoly coin
Monopoly fans were on the hunt for the giant Top Hat
To add an extra twist – the oversized Top Hat was moving, with a person inside roaming the city.
The stunt was organised by the Royal Mint to mark the launch of its commemorative 50p Monopoly coin.
It challenged onlookers to ‘spot the top’ for a chance to win one of 100 of the commemorative coins.
Marianne James, senior vice president of global licensing from Hasbro, said: “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.”
Starting bright and early on the Strand, clues were released throughout the day leading players on a citywide hunt to iconic Monopoly locations.
The colossal gaming icon was created by the Masked Singer costumiers, Plunge and tried to evade hunters travelling between 15 board locations like Mayfair and Piccadilly.
The hunt’s scale was amplified by a simultaneous digital treasure hunt across The Royal Mint’s website with an additional nine coins up for grabs, ensuring players nationwide could participate in this historic gaming event.
Those lucky enough to capture and share a picture of the Top Hat could 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.”
A life-size game of Monopoly in London
Commemorative 50p coins mark the 90 years of Monopoly
The iconic Monopoly Top Hat boosted to over 100 times its original size Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
