The BBC and Steven Moffat promised big things for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who on November 23 of last year. Merchandising, including a newly announced commemorative coin, is no exception.
All it takes is one trip to sites like Etsy, RedBubble, or TeeFury to know that fan-produced Doctor Who merchandise is wildly popular. Even the market for officially licensed products from the BBC stores and Underground Toys is at an all time high.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, the BBC licensing division is stepping outside their normal comfort zone of tee shirts, coffee mugs and action figures. Earlier this year they announced commemorative stamps. Now they have added commemorative coins.
According to The Independent these new coins will be produced in New Zealand.
The special two dollar denomination coin will be legal tender and features an engraved image of the Tardis.
It will also come in a Tardis-shaped container and will launch at the World Money Fair in Berlin next week.
There will also be collectible coins available later in the year featuring the face of 11 different actors who have portrayed The Doctor, from William Hartnell to Matt Smith.
How do you feel about this new product? Is Doctor Who in danger of becoming too commercialized? What kind of products would you like to see, and what kind of products do you think would push the envelope too far?
