A rare 50p coin featuring the beloved children’s character Peter Rabbit has recently garnered attention in the coin-collecting community, with one collector listing it for an impressive £25,000 on eBay. This particular coin from the ‘Tale of Peter Rabbit’ series is believed to possess a unique flaw—a ‘lump of metal’ located at the bottom of Peter Rabbit’s foot—which has prompted its seller to claim its rarity.

The coin is part of a series issued by the Royal Mint in 2016, commemorating Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday. This release marked a significant milestone as it was the first time fictional animals appeared on British currency. The coins entered circulation during the Easter weekend of that year and quickly attracted the attention of collectors, undertaken by the character’s longstanding popularity.

Despite most of the Peter Rabbit coins from the 2016 release typically being valued at only a few pounds, there has been a notable trend of collectors seeking out coins with distinctive errors, which can command higher prices. For instance, another seller has listed a variant featuring an extra whisker for £250, while yet another has highlighted a coin with a “rare half whisker” available for a notable £2,556.72.

The listing of the Peter Rabbit coin for £25,086.72, with an additional postage fee of £8.96, has further sparked interest in the market. Notably, the sale is final, as it does not accept returns, which is common for high-value items sold online.

Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, expressed some caution regarding these secondary market sales. In her remarks to The Chronicle (Newcastle), she stated, “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.” She suggested that potential buyers should carefully assess various factors before agreeing on a price, including the coin’s condition, design, mintage figures, and material composition.

For collectors uncertain about the value or authenticity of their coins, Morgan highlighted that The Royal Mint offers various resources to assist in determining likely values and guidance in collection-building. “We offer a range of services at The Royal Mint to help establish its likely value and help our customers build a bespoke collection,” she added. Furthermore, The Royal Mint provides extensive information on its website for those looking to educate themselves about the coins they own or might inherit.

As the excitement over this 50p coin continues, the collector’s decision to list it at such a high price reflects the ongoing fascination with rarity and uniqueness in the coin-collecting community.

Source: Noah Wire Services