In this article we'll learn all about the 2018Peter Rabbit 50p coin issued by the Royal Mint to commemorate this amazing book by Beatrix Potter – but is this coin rare and how much is this coin worth today?
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter that tracks mischievous young Peter Rabbit as he explores and is pursued through Mr. McGregor's garden. He escapes and returns home to his mother, who puts him to bed after offering him chamomile tea.
Let's explore the incredible story of this unique 2018 special edition 50p coin and learn about its value and rarity
Back in 2018, thethird Peter Rabbit 50p coin was released by the Royal Mint to continue to celebrate one ofBeatrix Potter's most lovedchildren's tales, 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit’.
This is part of the third series of Beatrix Potter 50ps, following the highly popular 2016 and 2017 releases that coin collectors loved.
The character ofPeter Rabbit first appeared inBeatrix Potter'schildren's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit which was first published in October 1902.
History of the coin
The Tale of Peter Rabbit tells the story of Peter, a young rabbit, and his family. Peter’s mother, Mrs. Rabbit, plans to go shopping and lets Peter and his three sisters, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail, play.
Their mother tells them to avoid entering the vegetable garden owned by an old man named Mr. McGregor. His wife, Mrs. McGregor, once caught their father there and made him a pie.Peter's sisters avoid Mr. McGregor’s garden, picking blackberries instead, while Peter risks entering the garden to eat vegetables - danger awaits!
This special edition 50p coin was issued in 2018 to celebratethismuch-loved character.
Have you found this coin in your change?
The Beatrix Potter 50p collection
A total of five Emma Noble-designed coins featuring favourites includingPeter Rabbit,Beatrix Potter,Tiggy-Winkle,Jemima Puddle-duck,andSquirrel Nutkinwere released in 2016.
Due to the coins' enormous popularity, the Royal Mint decided to continue the series in 2017 with a new coin set that includedBenjamin Bunny,Tom Kitten,Mr. Jeremy Fisher, andPeter Rabbitonce more.
AnotherPeter Rabbitcoin,Mrs. Tittlemouse,The Tailor of Gloucester, andFlopsy Bunnywere the ones that came after them in 2018.
2019 and 2020 saw the release of a collector's edition Peter Rabbit coin, continuing the series.
It is clear that this series of 50p coins is by far the most loved and sought-after.
According to the most recent eBay and Amazon sales, the value of the 2018Flopsy Bunny50p coin, in good circulated condition and excluding any postage or selling costs, is around £7.50. So, atover nine timesits face value, it's a good addition to your collection if you find it in your change.
Design of the 2018Peter Rabbit 50p coin
The cupro-nickel form of the coin has a plain edge, is 27.3mm in diameter, weighs 8g, and is 1.78mm thick.
Emma Noble, a Royal Mint engraver, designed thereverse side of the coin to feature the image of the famous Peter Rabbit.
The reverse features Peter Rabbit gleefully eating vegetables from Mr McGregor's garden. He is facing to the right, enjoying his lunch. Collector's often dispute whether he is eating carrots or radishes. What do you think?
The word PETER is curved around the top half of the coin on the left of Peter Rabbit, and the word RABBIT is curved around the top right of the coin to the right of the well known bunny.Alongside Peter's right foot, are the initials EN which is those of the designer.
The Reverse image is designed by Emma Noble. Emma Noble had designed the 2015 coins to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter. When the Royal Mint issued additional Beatrix Potter coins in 2016, Emma Noble was again chosen to design them. Her designs were once again seen on 2017 and 2018 coins, including the Flopsy Bunny coin. Her designs were also featured on the 2019 collector edition Peter Rabbit coin.
Emma Noble had worked at the Royal Mint for 20 years before she was chosen to design the Beatrix Potter series of coins. She had previously worked on pieces commemorating the Diamond Jubilee and Remembrance Sunday.
The obverse of the coin features the 2015 coinage portrait of the Queen by Jody Clark, the first Royal Mint employee to create a portrait in 100 years – the practice is usually completed by artists working outside of the Mint. The inscription ‘ELIZABETH II.D.REG.F.D.50 PENCE.2018’ appears around the portrait.
On the obverse side, running continuously around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·2018.
Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials J.C for Jody Clark.
Jody Clark was the youngest person to design the monarch’s profile on this currency at the age of just 33. Jody Clark was also the first Royal Mint employee to design a UK definitive coin portrait in more than 100 years.
He had only been working at theRoyal Mintfor about two years prior. The new design would be the first time her portrait had been changed in 17 years.
Jody Clark’s design was unveiled in 2015 as the fifth definitive coinage portrait of Her Majesty and the fourth portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in circulation.
Specifications:
Denomination50p
Year2018
Weight8.00g
Diameter27.30mm
Reverse DesignerEmma Noble
Obverse DesignerJody Clark
MetalCupro-Nickel
Mintage1,400,000
Mintage of the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p Coin
The2018Peter Rabbit 50p coin was released in 2018 and is one of the fifteen coins minted in the Beatrix Potter 50p series between 2016 and 2020.
Official figures from the Royal Mint's website show that the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p coin had a mintage of 1.4 million, which was the same mintage as the 2018 Flopsy Bunny 50p coin, the lowest mintage of any of the Beatrix Potter 50p coins to enter circulation.
So all the 2018 Beatrix Potter 50p coins had a relatively low mintage with the rarest 50p coins in the Beatrix Potter series being the2018 Peter Rabbitand the2018 FlopsyBunny 50p coin, which both have a mintage of 1.4 million. To complete the series that year, the2018Tailor of Gloucester50phad a mintage of just 1.7 million.
Additionally, the coin was also minted as a Brilliant Uncirculated variety in individual presentation folders as well as complete sets, in addition to silver proof versions.
For reference,the 2016 Jemima 50p coinhad a mintage of 2.1 million,theMrs Tiggy-Winkle 50p coinhad a mintage of 8.8 million,the2016 Peter Rabbit 50p coinhad a mintage of 9.7 million and the2016 Beatrix Potter 50p coinhad a mintage of 6.9 million.
Is the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p Coin Rare?
The 2018Flopsy Bunny 50p is the rarest Beatrix Potter commemorative 50p coin in circulation in Britain today with just 1.4 million released in 2018, sharing that title with the 2018 Flopsy Bunny 50p coin released earlier that year.
So with a mintage of just 1.4 million, the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p is considered a rare coin and they are getting harder and harder to find as collectors want them for their collections.
Also, given the popularity of the Beatrix Potter coins, the coin is still highly sought after. The 2018Peter Rabbit 50p can still be found in your change and as collectors are adding them to their collections, the coin is becoming more scarce.
How much is the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p worth today?
As we said, it is always it is difficult to put an exact price on a coin as all coins vary in condition, but we would expect the circulated 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p, in good condition to be worth around £8.50 in today's market excluding any postage costs.
Where Can I Buy the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p Coin?
You can buy the 2018Peter Rabbit 50p coin online on auction sites such as eBay or Amazon but please ensure you look at all the information and reputation of the seller.
Alternatively, you can buy it fromus byclicking here.
Unfortunately, as this coin is now 5 years old, the Royal Mint no longerstocks this coin so it is only available to buy on the secondary market.
Are there any known errors of this coin?
The Royal Mint has not confirmed any error versions of the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p coin.
Bit of Trivia...
Beloved author Beatrix Potter once owned a rabbit named Peter Piper, and they did everything together! The “real” Peter Rabbit was a loving creature who enjoyed playing side by side with Beatrix in the grass.
Rumour has it Peter had a few tricks up his little blue sleeve, including jumping through hoops, playing the tambourine and ringing bells. No wonder Peter is the world's most beloved rabbit!
