Paddington Bear 50p’s

Paddington Bear is an iconic children’s character and to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of his first story, the Royal Mint released two 50p coins in 2018. This was followed by two more in 2019. These delightful coins make a lovely set and children will really enjoy collecting them.

History of the coins

In February 1971 the UK changed to a new system of currency. Decimalisation meant that all the existing coins had to be replaced and this process began in 1968. The new system comprised of just pennies and pounds and the new 50p was produced in 1969.

The new coin had 7 sides and it has kept its shape, even after being made smaller in the 1990s.

Paddington Bear has four 50p coins to commemorate his 60^th anniversary.

About Paddington Bear

Paddington Bear was created by Michael Bond. He first appeared in 1958 in ‘a Bear Called Paddington’.

He came from ‘darkest Peru’ where he lived with his Aunt Lucy and Uncle Pastuzo. They sent him to London where he was found at Paddington Station by the Brown family. They took him in and adopted him. His favourite food is marmalade, and he always wears a hat and a blue duffel coat and he has a battered suitcase. He always gets in to trouble but usually only when he misunderstands something or he is trying to right an injustice.

Paddington toys have been sold all over the World and children still enjoy reading his stories.

His books have been translated in to 30 languages and the stories have been made in to TV programmes and Paddington films were made in 2014 and 2017.

How many Paddington Bear 50p coins were made?

Paddington at the Palace

• Released in 2018, 5,901,000 were put in to circulation.

Paddington at the Station

• The second coin released in 2018, 5,001,000 were circulated

Paddington at the Tower

• Released in 2019, circulation figures have yet to be confirmed.

Paddington at St Pauls

• Released in 2019, circulation figures have yet to be confirmed.

Design and Designer

Front design

Paddington at the Palace

• This 50p shows Paddington waving a Union Jack outside Buckingham Palace.

Paddington at the Station

• This coin shows Paddington sitting on his suitcase at Paddington Station as a train goes past.

Paddington at the Tower

• Paddington is standing outside the Tower of London eating a marmalade sandwich.

Paddington at St Pauls

• Paddington is outside St Pauls Cathedral lifting his hat.

Obverse design

All of the Paddington 50p coins have the portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Jody Clark.

• Designer: David Knapton

David Knapton was a freelance graphic designer before joining the Royal Mint in 2012. He is now a creative designer and he has worked on many different designs and also helps out creating marketing and campaign material.

His coin designs include three 10p coins which were part of the A-Z of Britain collection, and he has designed all 4 Paddington 50p coins.

When David’s designs were chosen he was delighted. He is a big fan of Paddington Bear and knew just how he should look on a coin.

Variations

Paddington at the Palace

• Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
• 600 Gold Proof coins were produced
• 60,000 Silver Proof coins with a colour design were produced.

Paddington at the Station

• Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
• 600 Gold Proof coins were produced
• 75,000 Silver Proof coins with colour design were produced.

Paddington at the Tower

• Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
• 600 Gold Proof coins were produced
• 25,000 Silver Proof coins with a colour design were produced.

Paddington at St Pauls

• Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
• 600 Gold Proof coins were produced
• 25,000 Silver Proof coins with a colour design were produced.