- Circulation: 2,100,000
- Year issued: 2016
- Value circulated: £1.00
- Value circulated in excellent condition: £3.50
- Value uncirculated: £10.00
- Composition: cupro-nickel
- Scarcity index: 34
The Jemima Puddle Duck 50p is one of the collection issued to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter. Issued in 2016 it was one of the first three Beatrix Potter 50p coins to be released. Children will love collecting these coins, and they make a lovely set.
History of the coin
The introduction of decimal currency meant the Royal Mint had to design new coinage to be circulated. By the time the new system began, new coins were ready and one of these was the 50p.
This 7 sided coin was the 3rd decimal coin to be produced in 1969 to replace the 10 shilling note. Its shape has remained the same, but it was made smaller at the same time as the 5p and 10p coins were reduced in size.
The original design on the coin was Britannia, but this was replaced in 2008 with the new Royal Arms design.
The coin has also been used for commemorative coins, such as the Beatrix Potter collection.
About Jemima Puddle Duck
The Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck was first published in 1908. It contained many illustrations which had been drawn by Beatrix Potter herself.
Jemima Puddle Duck lives on a farm. She tries to hatch her own eggs, but the farmers wife always takes them away and gives them to the hens to sit on. One day she puts on her bonnet and shawl and goes to find a place where she can hatch her eggs.
She finds a place in a wood and then meets a man who suggests she use his shed. She lays her eggs and the man then suggests a dinner party. He asks her to collect herbs which are often used when stuffing a duck and she goes to find them, believing they are to be used in an omelette.
When she meets the farmers dog, Kep, he realises that the man is a fox who plans to eat her. He chases the fox, Mr Tod, away and takes Jemima back home. She then manages to hatch 4 ducklings.
How many Jemima Puddle Duck 50p coins were made?
The Jemima Puddle Duck 50p is one of the more sought after coins, as only 2,100,000 were circulated.
Design and Designer
- Front design:
The design shows Jemima Puddle Duck in her poke bonnet and shawl. Her name is inscribed around the edges.
- Obverse design:
Jody Clark’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II appears on the obverse.
- Designer: Emma Noble
Royal Mint engraver Emma Noble was behind all the designs in the Beatrix Potter collection.
Her experience at the Royal Mint meant she was able to create the best designs to be turned in to coins while keeping each one as close to Beatrix Potter’s own illustrations as possible. Some of the designs were very intricate so engraving them on to coins was not easy, but Emma managed to find the best way to do this to bring each of the characters to life.
Variations
The circulation of the Jemima Puddle Duck 50p was just 2,1000.000.
- 55,000 Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
- Silver Proof coins with coloured design
