- 2017 Fifty Pence 50p Coins in Circulation page A whopping 6x different 2017 50p were made. A commemorative to mark the 375th anniversary of the birth of Sir Isaac Newton, the standard coin with the shield design and four new coins with Beatrix Potter themes – because the ones marking the actual anniversary sold so well last year.
- One of the rarest 50p coins, estimated value: £3,000. London Olympics Aquatics 50p Coin 2011 (First Design) There were a total of twenty-nine differently designed 50 pence coins released between 2009 – 2011 to celebrate the return of the Olympics to the UK.
- 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 50p coin in the UK today that is the most valuable and rare is the Kew gardens 50p coin. The Kew Gardens 50p has held the top spot for around 3 years, and is officially the rarest 50p.
Over the years, The Royal Mint have released several limited edition coins that collectors have gone mad over – so mad in fact, that they’re willing to pay hundreds of pounds towards them to complete their collection.
And the best part is, is that you’ve probably got one sitting in your change that you didn’t even notice – and unless you’re inspired to start your own collection, you could flog it on eBay for an amazing profit!
This 50p coin was released back in 1992 to celebrate the British presidency of the council of Europe. 109,000 were issued, and the coin is no longer in circulation because of the reduction in size of 50p’s in 1997.
It’s true – a coin created by Jonathan Evans and Donna Hainan was released to celebrate 50 years of girl guiding, and it’s selling on eBay for £800!
One seller, rdk302007, has the coin listed for £800.
They wrote: “One of few rare celebratory 50 pence pieces celebrating one hundred years of girlguiding.
“A real collectors coin, which is gaining more and more popularity amongst collectors. As shown, girlguiding crest on the front. Free postage.”
Another seller, gretania26, has the coin listed for £250, with £5 post and packaging.
Here’s a compilation of the most valuable 50p coins in circulation at the moment – the ones that you could be handed in the shops buying your groceries without even realising.
1. WWF
The WWF design was released in 2011, complete with 50 different animals alongside the trademark panda logo.
Coin Checker told Metro “The design by Matthew Dent features 50 individual icons which represent the various facets of the WWF with the famous Panda at the heart of it.”
If it’s in pristine condition, the coin can sell for over £200.
“One coin which has seemed to unite favourable public opinion is the WWF 50p issued in 2011.”
2. Jemima Puddle-Duck
This coin was released in 2016, marking the 150th birth anniversary of children’s author Beatrix Potter.
This is the sixth most rare coin in the UK, with only 2.1 million in circulation.
While eBay lists the coin as worth only £8.95, experts say it could be worth up to £100.
3. Kew Gardens
Only 210,000 of these were released to commemorate the 250th anniversary of London’s Kew Gardens, and it’s believed that 300 are being kept in private vaults.
It’s considered to be the rarest 50p coin, worth £50 – however it’s selling on eBay for up to £200!
4. 2012 London Olympics
29 different Olympic designs were released, but the original swimmer coin with the water passing over their face is worth up to £1,450 on eBay after only 600 were released.
If you have a full set of the Olympic coins you could bag yourself around £35. If you have a football, wheelchair rugby, wrestling and tennis coin then you could still get £3-£4.
5. ‘Offside Rule’
This other London 2012 Olympics coin is worth £10.
6. EC Commemorative
This 50p coin was released back in 1992 to celebrate the British presidency of the council of Europe.
109,000 were issued, and the coin is no longer in circulation because of the reduction in size of 50p’s in 1997.
If you happen to find one at the bottom of that money jar you’ve had for years, you could get yourself £20 – probably the same as the contents of the jar in the first place!
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Coins For Collectors 50p
It did not enter general circulation and was issued only in collector quality.
Rare 50p Coins Uk
So, now we’ve run through all of the UK Peter Rabbit 50p designs, we want to know which is your favourite!
Which UK Peter Rabbit 50p is your favourite?