- Circulation: 3,900,000
- Year issued: 2018
- Value circulated: 50p
- Value circulated in excellent condition: £1.00
- Value uncirculated: £4.00
- Composition: cupro-nickel
- Scarcity index: 3
The Tailor of Gloucester is one of Beatrix Potter’s famous children’s tales. She was born in 1866 and to commemorate the 150th anniversary of her birth, the Royal Mint released a set of 50p coins based on her stories. The Tailor of Gloucester 50p was one of four 50p coins which were released in 2018 and it makes a lovely collectible item for children and for anyone who loves her stories.
History of The Coin
When the country began using decimal coins, the Royal Mint had to design and produce a new range of coinage. To replace the old 10 shilling note they minted a new 50p piece. This coin has 7 sides and was first minted in 1969.
The overall design of the coin remains unchanged but it was reduced size in 1997, following the reduction in size of the 5p and 10p coins.
The Beatrix Potter collection is a set of 50p coins which all feature her well loved characters. The Tailor of Gloucester was her 3rd story to be published in 1903.
About The Tailor of Gloucester
Tailor of Gloucester was asked to make a waistcoat for the mayor and sent his cat, Simpkin, to buy some food and a twist of silk so that he could finish the waistcoat.
While the cat is gone, the Tailor comes across some mice under teacups. They have been imprisoned by his cat. He lets them free and when Simpkin returns he then hides the silk in anger.
When the Tailor falls in, the mice set to work and finish the waistcoat for him. All that is missing is one buttonhole because there is not enough silk. Simpkin hands over the silk so the waistcoat is finished and the Tailor’s reputation and fortune are secured.
The story is based on a similar real story which Beatrix Potter had heard about a tailor in Gloucester.
How Many The Tailor of Gloucester 50p Coins Were Made?
The Tailor of Gloucester 50p was minted in 2018 and 3,900,000 were circulated.
Design and Designer
- Front design:
The front shows one of the mice who helped the Tailor. He is wearing glasses and reading a paper while sitting on an empty cotton reel. The words ‘The Tailor of Gloucester’ are written around the edge.
- Obverse design:
Jody Clark’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is on the obverse.
- Designer: Emma Noble
The designs for the Beatrix Potter collection were all created by Royal Mint engraver Emma Noble. She has worked at the Royal Mint for 20 years and used her knowledge and experience to create a lovely set of commemorative coins.
She studied Beatrix Potter’s own illustrations of each character before sketching a design which she knew would work on a coin. The result plays testament to how Beatrix Potter imagined each character.
Her other coins include the 1966 FIFA World Cup commemorative coin the coin commemorating 60th Wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Variations
The Tailor of Gloucester 50p was minted with a circulation of 3,900,000.
- Brilliant uncirculated coins are available
- 40,000 Silver Proof coins with a colour design were also produced.
