A unique 50p coin featuring Peter Rabbit has captured collectors’ attention, being listed for an astonishing £25,000 due to a notable flaw.
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
- https://www.westminstercollection.com/p-445G/2016-UK-Peter-Rabbit-Circulation-50p.aspx – This URL supports the claim that the 2016 Peter Rabbit 50p coin was issued to celebrate Beatrix Potter’s work and was part of a series by the Royal Mint. It also provides details about the coin’s specifications.
- https://www.royalmint.com/collect/archive/2016/peter-rabbit-2016-uk-50p-silver-proof-coin/ – This URL corroborates the release of the Peter Rabbit coin in 2016 as part of a series celebrating Beatrix Potter’s characters. It highlights the coin’s design and presentation.
- https://www.royalmint.com/stories/collect/evolution-of-peter-rabbit/ – This URL explains the evolution of Peter Rabbit coins, including the 2016 release, and how they were issued to commemorate Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday.
- https://www.ebay.co.uk/ – This URL is relevant because it is a platform where rare coins, including the Peter Rabbit 50p with unique flaws, are often listed for sale, reflecting the market’s interest in rare coins.
- https://www.royalmint.com/ – The Royal Mint’s official website provides resources for collectors to determine the value and authenticity of coins, as mentioned by Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references a 2016 coin release but discusses current market listings, indicating relatively fresh content. However, the lack of specific recent events or updates slightly reduces the score.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The quote from Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, appears to be original to this context. Without further online sources, it suggests this might be the first use of this quote.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Chronicle Live, a reputable local news source in the UK. The inclusion of a quote from a Royal Mint official adds credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about rare coins and their market values are plausible, given the interest in collectible coins. However, the high price listings might be exaggerated without further verification.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, with credible sources and plausible claims. The quote from a Royal Mint official adds reliability, though some price listings might be subject to market fluctuations.
