- Circulation: 1,400,000
- Year issued: 2018
- Value circulated: 50p
- Value circulated in excellent condition: £1.00
- Value uncirculated: £4.00
- Composition: cupro-nickel
- Scarcity index: 40
One of the UK’s most famous children’s writers was Beatrix Potter and the Royal Mint released a set of commemorative 50p coins in honour of the 150th anniversary of her birth. The Flopsy Bunny 50p was one of the 3rd set of coins which was released in 2018. This coin is collectible not only for being a commemorative item, but also as part of a very endearing set.
History of The Coin
In 1968 the Royal Mint began preparations for decimal currency, which was introduced in 1971. The country was adopting a new system and new coins were needed. In 1969 the new 50p coin was minted. It was the equivalent of 10 shillings and had a new, 7 sided design.
The original coins were rather large so the 5p, 10p and 50p were all reduced in size during the 1990s and at the time the 50p coin was the largest in circulation.
The Beatrix Potter 50p collection began in 2016, and further sets were issued in 2017 and 2018. Flopsy Bunny was one of the third set, which was issued in 2018.
About Flopsy Bunny
The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies is a sequel to the Tale of Peter Rabbit.
In this book Peter and Benjamin are now grown up. Benjamin is married to his cousin, Flopsy, and they have 6 children, collectively called The Flopsy Bunnies. Benjamin and Flopsy can’t always afford to feed their children, so Peter Rabbit helps out when he can. When he can’t, they visit Mr McGregor’s garden.
During one trip the bunnies eat some lettuces which have gone to seed and this makes them fall asleep. Despite Benjamin’s efforts, Mr McGregor finds them and puts them in a sack. The bunnies are helped by Thomasina Tittlemouse and they manage to escape, filling the sack with rotten vegetables.
When Mr McGregor realises what’s happened, he’s very angry. The mice thank Thomasina by sending her rabbit wool so she can make a cloak, muff and mittens to keep warm.
How Many Flopsy Bunny 50p Coins Were Made?
When the coin was released in 2018, 1,400,000 Flopsy Bunny 50p coins were circulated. It is one of the rarer coins in the Beatrix Potter collection.
Design and Designer
- Front design:
The front of the coin has an illustration of Flopsy Bunny with her name at the top on either side of her head.
- Obverse design:
Shows the 5th portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark
- Designer: Emma Noble
Emma Noble has worked at the Royal Mint for 20 years.
As an engraver she is able to create the best designs to fit on coins, and this has shown in her work on the 1966 FIFA World Cup commemorative coin, the coin commemorating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the coin commemorating the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s Diamond Wedding Anniversary.
As sole designer for the Beatrix Potter collection, she has worked closely with Potter’s own illustrations so that all of the characters look exactly how they did in the books.
Variations
The Flopsy Bunny 50p is one of the rarer coins in the Beatrix Potter collection, with 1,400,000 in circulation.
- Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
- Silver Proof coins with a colour design were also produced.
