The 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p is very rare, and you should expect to pay about £4.75 for the circulated coins and about £8.02 for uncirculated coins, according to average values on eBay.
But what exactly makes the coin so valuable to collectors, and why was a third Peter Rabbit coin even produced?
Is The 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p Rare?
Based on mintage figures, the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p and the Flopsy Bunny 50p coins are tied for being the rarest of the Beatrix Potter series. They each have a mintage of 1,400,000. Compare this mintage number with the Benjamin Bunny 50p with 25,000,000 minted, and it’s clear to see why these two coins are at the top in terms of rarity.
This 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p is also tied for second place as the rarest of all 50 Pence coins outside of the Olympic coins.
There was a 2016 Peter Rabbit 50p as well as the 2017 Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p as well, but the 2018 coin had a lot lower mintage than the 2016 and 2017 versions. An iconic design alongside a small mintage amount makes for a highly collectable coin.
Some coin experts consider the 2018 Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p to be one of the rarest in the entire Beatrix Potter collection. Other coin specialists have ranked the 2018 Peter Rabbit coin to be one of the scarcest non-Olympic 50p coins after the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p which has the lowest mintage.
The coin was also minted with 48,229 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin plus the 115,174 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin In Tubes.
The was also a Silver Proof FDC variety minted with 43,130 issued. This Silver Proof FDC showed off the colours such as Peter’s blue coat and his tan fur as well as the colourful vegetables he is eating. There were 43,130 of these 0.925 Silver coins issued with a diameter of 27.30mm in 8.00 grams of sterling silver.
The Royal Mint lists 34,681 Silver Proof Coins issued as well as 3,999 Silver Proof Trade Exclusive.
They also issued Silver in Acrylic – Trade and 2,700 were issued in Coin & Book Gift Set as well as a four-coin set entitled Celebrating Beatrix Potter and Her Little Tales – Peter Rabbit and Friends, with a mintage of 950. The set included a 50p Peter Rabbit 2018 Silver Proof, a 50p Mrs. Tittlemouse 2018 Silver Proof, a 50p The Tailor of Gloucester 2018 Silver Proof, and a Silver Proof 50p Flopsy Bunny.
A Gold Proof FDC 0.917 Gold coin was issued with 549 total. 299 were in an acrylic block, and 250 were issued in Coin & Book Gift Set.
Design and Meaning Behind the 2018 Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p
The Tale of Peter Rabbit was the first little tale that Beatrix Potter published. She introduced children to the mischievous blue-coated bunny who experienced plenty of antics trying to escape from Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden.
The coin is part of the 50 pence design with the 7-sided shape heptagon. As the name implies, the face value of the coin is worth 0.50 pounds sterling. In addition to the standard 50p designs, several reverse designs have been minted on the 50p coin to commemorate important events.
The 2018 50p is part of those designed as a special commemorative coin. This commemorative coin was designed to celebrate the Beatrix Potter character Peter Rabbit, from the children’s book entitled The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It consists of a Cupronickel alloy with an 8.00g weight, a diameter of 27.3mm, and it is 1.78mm thick.
The Reverse side image is the design of Emma Noble who designed each of the Beatrix Potter coins. The 2018 version features Peter Rabbit eating a carrot with his name PETER RABBIT curved around him to his left and right. The letters TM, to indicate he is a trademarked image, appear under his right leg.
The Obverse design is that of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark. In this version, her mature head is crowned and facing right with her coronation crown. Surrounding her head are the words 50 PENCE * 2018 * ELIZABETH II * D * G * REG * F * D *. The designer’s initials, JC, are seen just below the Queen’s neckline.
The edge is plain with no inscription.
About The Designer
The reverse side design features Peter feeding on carrots and is the creation of 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 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p. 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.
Where Can You Buy The 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p?
One of the fastest and easiest ways to shop for coins is online.
The average selling price on eBay is £4.75 for the circulated coins and about £8.02 for the uncirculated 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p coins.
