The Tale of the Peter Rabbit 50ps…

By Change Checker | September 3, 2020 |

Peter Rabbit is arguably Beatrix Potter’s cheekiest character and he’s been one of the most popular and most-loved characters in children’s literature since his first creation.

He’s featured in books, films and even on the UK’s favourite coin, the 50p!

But where did Peter Rabbit’s tale begin and how did he end up on FIVE UK 50p coins? In this blog, we run through the exciting tale of the Peter Rabbit 50p series…

Bridging Generations

Illustration of Peter Rabbit eating radishes, from The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Peter Rabbit first appeared in literature back in 1902, when children’s author Beatrix Potter commercially published what was to become her best-seller, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

The story is centred around Peter, who is far more adventurous than his siblings: Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail. Going against his mother’s instructions, Peter breaks into Mr. McGregor’s garden after being tempted by some delicious looking vegetables… After a close encounter with McGregor, Peter manages to escape, but sadly loses his shoes and iconic blue jacket.

Since 1902, Peter Rabbit has featured in eight books, over 9 tv/film adaptations. and has been made into numerous commemorative souvenirs – including a series of 50p coins!

He’s become a household a name across generations and is loved by families up and down the country.

United Kingdom Peter Rabbit 50p Coins

In 2016, to celebrate 150 years since the birth of Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter, The Royal Mint issued a series of 50p coins.

2016 Peter Rabbit 50p

2016 UK Peter Rabbit 50p

The 2016 Peter Rabbit 50p was the first coin to be issued in the series and features a close up portrait of the loveable rabbit with his big whiskers taking centre-stage.

The design, by Emma Noble, uses original illustrations from the books to celebrate Potter’s life and works.

9,700,000 of these coins were issued into circulation and proved very popular amongst collectors!

2017 Peter Rabbit 50p

2017 Peter Rabbit

Next up in the series, is the 2017 Peter Rabbit 50p, which is my personal favourite!

Designed by Emma Noble, the coin features Peter Rabbit in his iconic blue jacket in a pose that was to become the emblem of Beatrix Potter’s work.

This 50p has a circulating mintage of 19,900,000. Do you have this coin in your collection? Comment below!

2018 Peter Rabbit 50p

The 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p coin is the third UK coin to feature the much-loved children’s character.

Designed by Emma Noble, the reverse features Peter Rabbit munching on radishes and has the joint lowest circulating mintage of all the Beatrix Potter 50p coins.

The 2018 Peter Rabbit and 2018 Flopsy Bunny 50ps have a circulating mintage of just 1,400,000, so if you have this 50p in your collection, consider yourself very lucky!

2019 Peter Rabbit 50p

2019 Peter Rabbit 50p

The tale continued in 2019 with this 50p coin, which is the fourth coin to feature the much-loved Children’s character.

Struck by The Royal Mint, the reverse of the coin features an original illustration of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter that has been engraved by Royal Mint coin designer, Emma Noble.

This coin was issued in collector quality only and did not enter general circulation.

2020 Peter Rabbit 50p

2020 UK Peter Rabbit

Issued during a world pandemic, this Peter Rabbit 50p is arguably the forgotten coin of 2020.

It was confirmed to be the very last UK Peter Rabbit 50p, sadly bringing his UK 50p tale to an end. Masked by the events of the pandemic, the significance of this coin’s issue was missed.

It’s reverse features a design of an original Beatrix Potter illustration of Peter Rabbit, scrambling under Mr. McGregor’s fence.

It did not enter general circulation and was issued only in collector quality.

So, now we’ve run through all of the UK Peter Rabbit 50p designs, we want to know which is your favourite!

Secure the 2017 UK Peter Rabbit 50p to your collection today!

Secure the 2017 UK Peter Rabbit 50p in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for JUST £4.50 (+p&p) here >>

To secure your 2017 UK Peter Rabbit 50p in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for just £4.50 (+p&p), click here >>

Posted in 50p Coins, Blog Home, Coin Info, UK coins, Uncategorised

32 Comments

  1. Keith mills on September 7, 2020 at 6:56 am

    I also have every b potter 50p plus 100s more



  2. Sean Clark on September 7, 2020 at 1:34 am

    I also have all the Peter Rabbit 50ps in my collection including the rest of the Potter series, I like the simplicity of the 2017 coin, such a instantly recognisable logo but they’re all great designs, credit to Emma Noble



    • Alexandra Siddons on September 7, 2020 at 7:36 am

      The 2017 coin is lovely. You’re right that it’s definitely instantly recognisable!



  3. Angela Johns on September 4, 2020 at 10:53 pm

    I have them all except for the latest one, collected for my 2 year old granddaughter for when she’s older, I too like the 2016 Peter Rabbit the best.



  4. Suzanne on September 3, 2020 at 5:35 pm

    I have all the Peter Rabbit coins in my collection along with the rest of the BPotter characters. My favourite Peter Rabbit is the 2016.



    • Alexandra Siddons on September 4, 2020 at 8:50 am

      Wow that’s a very impressive collection Suzanne! Congratulations on completing the Beatrix Potter series 🙂



      • Keith mills on September 7, 2020 at 6:55 am

        I also have every b potter 50p plus 100s more



      • Nicola on September 7, 2020 at 9:46 pm

        Yes i also have the Peter rabbits in my collection



    • Joane Cree on September 4, 2020 at 5:17 pm

      I have them all aswell. My favourite is 2016



  5. Amanda Snook on September 3, 2020 at 4:27 pm

    Were can I get the 2020 Peter rabbit 50 pence coin from please



  6. Les kent on September 3, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    Now that’s very interesting, I note that all the comments are about the coin and the subject NOT the value (what’s it worth) now that to me is collecting in its true form..
    I also have them all and they make a great addition to my collection.



    • Alexandra Siddons on September 4, 2020 at 8:52 am

      Hi Les,

      It’s always great when a series of coins sparks a real conversation around the coins themselves, rather than their market value – just like you say 🙂

      Thanks,
      Alex



    • Michelle on September 5, 2020 at 6:26 am

      My son has them all and pretty much every other 50p and 2pound coin known to man he loves hes collection and in agreement with les true collectors do not ask about value ?



  7. +JOHN REDMOND on September 3, 2020 at 2:29 pm

    I’VE A NUMBER OF FULL SETS OF THESE 50P COINS, ALONG WITH VARIOUS SINGLE COINS/MEDALS. ALONG WITH THESE I ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF THE BOOK COLLECTIONS TOO. ALL IN ALL I’VE MANAGED TO OBTAIN A FAIR COLLECTION OF BEATRICE POTTER’S COINS/COLLECTIBLES.
    I AM NOW PREPARING TO THIN OUT A NUMBER OF MY COLLECTIONS THIS WILL INCLUDE BEATRIX POTTER COLLECTIONS, 2016 TO 2020 ITEMS.



    • Don McBurney on September 4, 2020 at 11:33 am

      Hello John, would this include a complete set of the Beatrix Potter series from 2016 to 2020? Are the coins brilliant uncirculated? What is your asking price?
      Many thanks
      Don



    • Adrian on September 4, 2020 at 9:00 pm

      Hi what do u want to sell and how much please



  8. David Bartlett on September 3, 2020 at 1:17 pm

    How can I get hold of the 2020 PETER RABBIT COINS, PLEASE



    • Alexandra Siddons on September 3, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      Hi David,

      The coin is currently out of stock but we are taking pre-orders and will have further stock arriving in October. You can place a pre-order here: https://www.westminstercollection.com/p-790H/2020-UK-Peter-Rabbit-CERTIFIED-BU-50p.aspx

      Thanks,
      Alex



      • Adeel on September 5, 2020 at 10:15 am

        Hi Alexandra, are you working for the company selling the coins? How is it different from buying from royal mint? What’s the guarantee of genuine
        Apologies if I sound rude. New to this collection world.

        Thanks



      • Alexandra Siddons on September 8, 2020 at 8:26 am

        Hi Adeel,

        Change Checker and The Westminster Collection are official distributors for The Royal Mint, so you can rest assured that our products are genuine. Change Checker offers Royal Mint Brilliant Uncirculated coins in our own packaging, which comes with an all important hologram to certify their superior quality.

        Thanks,
        Alex



  9. philip yates on September 3, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    I have collected all the Beatrix Potter 50p coins in loose change and Brilliant Uncirculated and love all the series especially the Peter Rabbit one’s. 2020 version is my favourite Peter Rabbit as i also have that one in coloured silver proof.



    • Alexandra Siddons on September 3, 2020 at 2:36 pm

      So glad you’ve enjoyed the series as much as us Philip!



      • James Pinder on September 3, 2020 at 9:51 pm

        I vote for the 2018 p rabbit coin.
        Please put me down for the 2920 Peter rabbit 50 p, when back in stock. James



      • Alexandra Siddons on September 4, 2020 at 8:50 am

        Hi James,
        The 2018 Peter Rabbit is certainly very popular amongst other collectors too – perhaps due to the low mintage figure!

        If you would like the 2020 Peter Rabbit 50p, you can pre-order it here: https://www.westminstercollection.com/p-790H/2020-UK-Peter-Rabbit-CERTIFIED-BU-50p.aspx

        That’s the best way to guarantee you will be able to have one when they come into stock.

        Thanks,
        Alex



  10. Craig on September 3, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    I always thought scarcity played a part in popularity. Maybe 2017 Peter Rabbit would be more loved if only 2million were minted? Why did 2019 Peter Rabbit NOT get circulated when there were millions of Shields, Paddingtons and Sherlock released? Surely they could have fit a few million in at the expense of these?



  11. Adrian Shaw on September 3, 2020 at 12:41 pm

    On the 2018 coin he is definitely eating carrots. If he is eating radish they are the most unusual shaped radish I’ve ever seen. It looks like a radish on the ground but in his hands is what looks like carrots.



    • Alexandra Siddons on September 3, 2020 at 12:46 pm

      Hi Adrian,

      Haha they do look like carrots but they are in fact Long Scarlet Radishes 🙂

      Thanks,
      Alex



    • Dave on September 3, 2020 at 2:01 pm

      They are radishes, look at the leaf, they are not carrot leafs



  12. Heather Peel on September 3, 2020 at 12:40 pm

    Love all my Peter rabbit coins didn’t know there were any new ones



    • Halfsixpence on September 3, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      2016 Is the best by far due to being a close up portrait (Larger facial feature) and you see his whiskers better !!



      • Alexandra Siddons on September 3, 2020 at 2:34 pm

        I love the 2016 coin for the very same reason! 🙂