New Charles Dickens coin honors author

[December 06, 2011]  LONDON (AP) -- The Royal Mint has come up with a novel way to wish Charles Dickens a happy 200th birthday -- striking a new coin with a portrait of the author made up of the titles of some of his most famous fictional works.

The 2 pound ($3.20) coin will be available early next year. The celebrated Victorian novelist was born two centuries ago on Feb. 7, 1812.

The design released Tuesday shows a portrait by artist Matthew Dent that uses titles like "David Copperfield" and "A Christmas Carol" to form a silhouette of Dickens' face.

The portrait is based on a bust of the author on display at the Dickens Museum in London.

The edge of the coin is inscribed with the quotation "Something will turn up," associated with the Wilkins Micawber character in "David Copperfield."

[Associated Press]

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