A sharp-eyed coin collector has put a 50p coin on sale for over £25,000 after spotting what they believe is a tiny but unique error. The rare find is a ‘Tale of Peter Rabbit’ 50p, one of several coins released by the Royal Mint in 2016 to celebrate Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday.
The coin, which features the image of the beloved children’s character Peter Rabbit, was part of a series marking the first time a fictional animal appeared on a British coin. It was initially released in circulation over the 2016 Easter weekend and quickly became a collector’s item due to its popularity.
However, this particular coin stands out as, unlike the others, it has an unusual imperfection: a ‘lump of metal’ at the bottom of Peter Rabbit’s foot. The collector believes this error is entirely unique.
While most Peter Rabbit coins from the 2016 release are worth only a few pounds, collectors have previously paid substantial sums for coins with rare imperfections.
This may have prompted the seller to list the coin on the online marketplace eBay for £25,086.72, with an additional £8.96 postage fee. Returns are not accepted on the sale.
The ‘Tale of Peter Rabbit’ coin was the first in a series of Beatrix Potter-themed 50p coins, released in 2016 and followed by four more designs in 2017.
Although these coins were initially released in the Lake District, where Beatrix Potter spent her childhood summers, errors like this one now appear to be defining their true rarity.
Other sellers who have spotted “errors” on their 50p Peter Rabbit coins are also selling their imperfect pieces for hundreds – or thousands – of pounds.
One seller offers a coin featuring Peter Rabbit with an extra whisker for £250, while another has one with a “rare half whisker” for £2,556.72.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, urged people to be wary before purchasing a coin on the secondary market. She said: “There are occasional reports of coins selling for large amounts on the secondary market, some of which seem a bit farfetched, so we want to ensure collectors have the right information and pay a fair price.
“A coin is ultimately worth what the collector is willing to pay for it, but there are factors you should consider before committing to a price. This can include the condition of the coin, its design, mintage figure and what it’s made of.”
For those who have a coin and are unsure about its history, rarity or authenticity, Ms Morgan said: “We offer a range of services at The Royal Mint to help establish its likely value and help our customers build a bespoke collection. We also have a wide range of resources on our website to help people learn more about the coins in their pockets and coins they might inherit from family members.”
