- Circulation: 8,800,000
- Year issued: 2016
- Value circulated: 50p
- Value circulated in excellent condition: £2.50
- Value uncirculated: £8.00
- Composition: cupro-nickel
- Scarcity index: 1
2016 was the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter. One of the UK’s most popular storytellers, a set of 50p coins was released to commemorate her birth. Mrs Tiggy-winkle is possibly one of her most well-known characters and the coin is a nice item for collectors and children alike.
History of The Coin
When decimalisation was introduced in 1971 the Royal Mint had the task of releasing new coins. The 50p was one of the earlier coins to be produced in 1969. It’s 7-sided shape made it stand out from other coins and the only change to its shape was when it was made smaller in 1997.
The Mrs Tiggy-winkle 50p was part of the first collection of Beatrix Potter coins released in 2016. First published in 1905, The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-winkle is still enjoyed by children today.
About Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
Mrs Tiggy-winkle is a hedgehog who takes in washing.
A girl called Lucie moves to Little-town and loses handkerchiefs and a pinafore. She asks some of the animals if they have seen them but doesn’t get much help.
She spots some white cloths and follows them to a door where she hears someone singing. Inside the little house she finds Mrs Tiggy-winkle hard at work laundering Lucie’s lost things.
Lucie stays for tea but keeps well away from Mrs Tiggy-winkle’s prickles. She helps Mrs Tiggy-winkle to delivery other laundered items to the animals and it is only when Mrs Tiggy-winkle is running away that Lucie realises she is a hedgehog.
As with all Beatrix Potter’s characters, Mrs Tiggy-winkle was based on her own experiences. She based the character on her own pet hedgehog and a Scottish washerwoman.
How Many Mrs Tiggy-Winkle 50p Coins Were Made?
8,800,000 Mrs Tiggy-winkle 50p coins were circulated, as part of the first batch in the Beatrix Potter collection.
Design and Designer
- Front design:
The front of the coin shows the popular image of Mrs Tiggy-winkle in her dress and petticoat. Across the top it says ‘Mrs Tiggy-winkle’
- Obverse design:
The reverse of the coin shows the 5th portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Joy Clark.
- Designer: Emma Noble
Emma Noble has designed all of the coins in the Beatrix Potter collection and admits that the Mrs Tiggy-winkle 50p was the most challenging.
Emma has worked at the Royal Mint for many years and as an engraver, she knows how to create the best designs for a coin. She used some of Beatrix Potter’s own illustrations when she created the images to be used in this collection.
She has also designed other coins for the Royal Mint, including the coins commemorating the diamond wedding anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
Variations
In 2016 8,800,000 Mrs Tiggy-winkle 50p coins were put in to circulation.
- Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
- Limited edition silver proof coins with a colour design are also available.
- Gold proof coins were also produced.
