The Peter Rabbit 50p coin is not considered to be rare, but a collector has listed one on eBay for a small fortune after spotting a “printing error” on the coin
A 50p coin has popped up on eBay with a jaw-dropping price tag of £25,000 – all because of a rare printing blip.
Issued in 2017 as part of a series to honour the beloved Beatrix Potter, a whopping 20 million Peter Rabbit coins entered circulation, but it’s this one quirky error that has collectors’ eyes turning into pound signs.
It appears a piece of rogue metal attached to Peter’s foot has turned this particular coin into a potential goldmine. This accidental adornment has the seller pitching the coin at a staggering £25,086.72.
The seller gets down to brass tacks in their listing, stating: “Peter Rabbit 50p 2017 coin. I believe this is an error, can’t find anything similar online. There is a lump of metal attached to the foot as seen in the photo. I’ve taken a photo of one of my regular Peter Rabbit 50ps to compare. Any questions please message me.”
In a bid to add exclusivity, prospective buyers are informed that postage will cost them £8.95, with no chance to backtrack as returns are firmly off the table. In a twist of numismatic intrigue, The Royal Mint has listed other elusive coins that graced Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, adding to the hunt for those precious pieces.
For those digging through their pockets, keep an eye out for the much-sought-after Kew Gardens 50p and an array of special alphabet 10p coins. With a reputation for fetching princely sums on platforms like eBay, these coins could turn loose change into a small fortune.
Adding to the treasure trove tales, some rarities previously minted have receded from the public eye, including the iconic “round pounds”, dethroned by their twelve-sided successors in 2017 aimed at thwarting counterfeiters, and earlier versions of the 50p which were retired in favour of more pocket-friendly dimensions.
Queen Elizabeth II has graced more UK coins than any other British monarch, with a whopping 27 billion of her coins still doing the rounds, the Mint reports. The year 2022 was pivotal for British currency, seeing the final coins featuring the late Queen’s image being minted and the introduction of coins bearing King Charles III’s likeness.
With approximately 29 billion coins currently in circulation across the UK, the demand for these coins is driven by the needs of banks and post offices, to which the Mint caters under the Treasury’s direction, reports Glasgow Live.
Mark Loveridge, the Royal Mint’s director of UK currency, reflected on this significant transition: “2022 marked one of the biggest changes in coinage since decimalisation as we moved from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III.
“The coinage of Queen Elizabeth II spanned 70 years and special designs issued into circulation celebrated some of the biggest events in history.”
He added: “Although the 2022 mintage figures mark the last time that Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait will appear on new coins, over 27 billion of her coins will remain in circulation. Coin collecting remains a popular hobby in the UK and the coins of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign are particularly coveted.
“By sharing the list of rare designs we hope people will look closely at their coins – if they’re lucky they might find a piece of history.”