The Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p is one of three 50p coins representing Peter Rabbit’s character, but what is it worth today?
According to eBay, you can pick up a Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p for £1.45 in circulated condition and £2.07 in uncirculated condition.
Let’s see how rare the coin is and the factors that went into the design.
How Much is the Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p Coin Worth?
As part of a series, the Royal Mint coins were first minted in 2016 to celebrate Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday. Since the series was so popular, it continued for a few more years including the 2017 coins of which this one is a part. It features Peter Rabbit and is the second to feature Peter Rabbit in the series with a 2016 and a 2018 coin with his image on them as well.
The 2017 Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p coin was released as part of the second instalment of the Beatrix Potter series.
The 2017 Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p is worth about £1.45 for those minted for circulation or £2.07 for the uncirculated varieties.
Is the Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p Coin Rare?
The 2017 coin featuring Peter Rabbit is not the rarest by any means based on mintage figures alone, but it is still highly collectable for Beatrix Potter or Peter Rabbit fans who want to complete their collection.
The 2017 Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p coin has a mintage of 19,900,000, which is one of the highest mintages for a Beatrix Potter 50p. Compare this to the Mrs Tittlemouse 50p with a mintage of just 1,700,000 or even the Jemima Puddle-Duck 50p with 2,100,000 and you quickly realise this coin is not particularly rare.
However, it is interesting to note that the design of coins can influence the value to even a greater extent than just the mintage figure alone; as this coin has the second-highest mintage of the series – but six of the other coins are valued below it, including the Tailor of Gloucester and Squirrel Nutkin 50ps.
Additionally, the coin was minted in:
- Brilliant Uncirculated in presentation folder with 221,866 issued
- Silver Proof FDC in 0.925 Silver and Peter Rabbit’s blue coat in color, 36,761 were issued of this variety with a limit of 40,000 mintage. There were also 7,696 50p silver coins for Retail/Trade issued as well as 29,065 boxed versions.
- Silver Proof Coin and Book Gift Set with 2,623 issued.
- Gold Proof FDC 0.917 Gold with 425 issued as 48 individual coins plus 377 in a booklet and coin set.
Design of the Coin
The Tale of Peter Rabbit was the first of Beatrix Potter’s little tales where she presented the mischievous blue-coated bunny to children with all of his antics escaping from Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden. His mother would welcome him home and make him feel as though all things were right again with a cup of tea.
Alongside the 2016 and 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p coins, this 2017 Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p is one of three designs that feature the bunny in the series.
Commemoration
The 2017 Peter Rabbit coin was designed to celebrate the Beatrix Potter character, Peter Rabbit, from the children’s book entitled The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The 2017 50p was put into circulation and marked 2017. It consists of a Cupronickel alloy with an 8.00g weight, a diameter of 27.3mm, and it is 1.78mm thick.
The Obverse design is that of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark, who at the age of 33, was the youngest person to design the monarch’s profile on this currency. 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 The Royal Mint for about two years prior.
Jody Clark’s design was unveiled in 2015 as the fifth definitive coinage portrait of Her Majesty and the fourth portrait of The Queen in circulation. The new design would be the first time her portrait had been changed in 17 years.
The edge is plain with no inscription.
The Reverse coin side features an image of the 2017 version of Peter Rabbit being featured where he is hopping, or walking, off to the right. He appears to be hopping away from one of his mischievous adventures. The words THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT curve around to his left and right. The trademark initials, TM, are seen under his extended leg.
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 2017 Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p. Her designs were also featured later 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 2017 Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p?
One of the fastest and easiest ways to shop for coins is online.
According to those sold on eBay, The 2017 Tale of Peter Rabbit 50p is worth about £1.45 for those minted for circulation or £2.07 for the uncirculated varieties.