An Iconic Era of Bond: Bond Films of the 2010s

As the calendar rolled over from the 2000s into the 2010s, the role of James Bond was firmly under the stewardship of Daniel Craig following two successful outings as 007 in the 2000s with Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum Of Solace (2008). With the bar already set extremely high from the previous decade, the pressure was on EON Productions to maintain that momentum with Bond’s return in 2012. Fortunately for fans of the franchise, Bond’s return would not only equal the success of the previous Craig outings but smash all 007 box office records in the process.

Premiering at the Royal Albert Hall in late 2012, Skyfall was an instant hit and became the first Bond film to gross more than $1 billion worldwide. As part of the promotion for its release, Daniel Craig even starred in a short skit with Queen Elizabeth II herself for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Bond’s debut in Dr. No (1962), Skyfall proved to be the perfect celebration and more than lived up to the hype. The film was subsequently nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two of those in the process, in addition to winning two BAFTA gongs and a Golden Globe.

The follow-up came in 2015 with the highly anticipated release of Spectre. The film itself is yet another action-packed affair that continues the Daniel Craig era theme of a continuous narrative from one film to the next. However, what made this release extra special was the long-awaited return of classic Bond villain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, wonderfully played by Christoph Waltz. The film is also notable as being the debut of the Madeleine Swann character – a character that would go on to become a vital part of the overall story.

Completing the narrative of the Daniel Craig era story arc was the actor’s final 007 film No Time To Die. Originally set for release in 2019, the film was delayed due to coronavirus. However, this only intensified the public’s hunger for the impending Bond film and audience interest was at fever pitch by the time the movie made it into cinemas across the world. Once the pandemic had eased and restrictions lifted, No Time To Die was finally released in September 2021.

Opening in 772 cinemas nationwide – a UK record – No Time To Die received a prestigious trifecta of industry accolades with wins at the Academy Awards, BAFTAs and Golden Globes – much like Skyfall had before it. Nevertheless, despite all these accomplishments, the film will forever be remembered for its stunning and dramatic conclusion where Bond shockingly meets his demise – an emotionally charged yet creatively satisfying ending for Daniel Craig’s tenure as 007.

An incredible decade of movies naturally necessitated an equally excellent coin design. To achieve this, Matt Dent and Christian Davies looked to 2015’s Spectre for inspiration, ultimately opting for the memorable snow plane in which Bond pursues the hulking Mr Hinx down the Austrian slopes in hopes of rescuing Madeleine Swann. The sequence itself was one of the most complex of the entire film and required five months of meticulous planning and stunt coordination before the scene could be filmed.

The snow plane is presented just as it appeared in the film and is backed by the titles of each of the decade’s Bond films behind it. Once again surrounding the central design is the ever-present gun barrel used in the opening of every Bond film. Completing the design is the omnipresent 007 logo, stylised as it appeared throughout the 2010s. A fine tribute to a historic decade of 007, the Bond Films of the 2010s UK Coin is the perfect keepsake for cinemagoers, fans of the James Bond franchise and those fond of the Daniel Craig era of 007. Don’t miss out on this unique piece of James Bond memorabilia and order your coin today.