Rare 50p coins are often a hot topic among collectors, particularly when it comes to the rarer ones.
Peter Rabbit, first introduced by Beatrix Potter in 1902, has appeared on a series of 50p coins produced by The Royal Mint over the last several years.
They often appear on eBay and other similar listings, but not all Peter Rabbit 50p coins are worth a lot.
Here is all you need to know about the history of the coins and which ones to keep an eye out for.
History of the Beatrix Potter 50p coins
Beatrix Potter coins are a collection of commemorative 50p pieces issued by The Royal Mint to celebrate Beatrix Potter’s tales.
The coins feature characters from her much-loved children’s books, including Peter Rabbit, and are designed by Royal Mint artist Emma Noble.
The first coin was issued in 2016 to mark the 150th anniversary of Potter’s birth, but there have been several variations over the years.
Some of them feature Peter Rabbit, while others showcase other beloved characters from the series.
How many Beatrix Potter 50p coins are there?
The Beatrix Potter 50p collection features 15 coins, bringing to life Potter’s classic literary creations.
The first five coins included an anniversary edition, and designs featuring Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and Jemima Puddle-Duck.
Four more designs arrived in 2017, featuring Tom Kitten, Benjamin Bunny, Jeremy Fisher and another Peter Rabbit.
Did you know we struck just 2,100,000 Jemima Puddle-Duck 50p coins in 2016? That makes Jemima the rarest design in the 2016 Beatrix Potter series! Who’s managed to find her on their #CoinHunt? pic.twitter.com/OR5pVnGjCc
— The Royal Mint (@RoyalMintUK) July 28, 2018
Benjamin Bunny is the most common of the set, with 25 million coins in circulation.
In 2018, the Royal Mint released coins for Flopsy Bunny, Mrs Tittlemouse, The Tailor of Gloucester and a third Peter Rabbit design.
The final two coins, released in 2019 and 2020, both featured Peter Rabbit once again, but these editions were not put into general circulation and could only be purchased as part of special collector’s sets.
How many Peter Rabbit coins are there?
A total of five official UK Peter Rabbit 50p coins have been released, with one design issued each year from 2016 to 2020.
Each coin captures a different scene from Potter’s stories, showcasing the detailed and expressive character that has delighted readers for generations.
The first design, released in 2016, showed a close-up of Peter Rabbit facing forward, complete with his trademark whiskers.
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The 2017 Peter Rabbit coin showed him mid-leap on one of his garden adventures.
In 2018, the design featured Peter munching on radishes after escaping another scrape in Mr McGregor’s garden.
The fourth coin, from 2019, was inspired by The Tale of Benjamin Bunny and showed Peter with the red pocket-handkerchief.
The final design, released in 2020, depicted Peter squeezing under Mr McGregor’s garden gate.
Are any Beatrix Potter 50p coins rare?
Two of the rarest are the 2018 Flopsy Bunny 50p and the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p, each with a mintage of just 1.4 million.
The Flopsy Bunny coin marks the first and only time Peter Rabbit’s sister has appeared on a UK coin.
It is valued at anywhere from £19 on the Brittania Coin Company website, which is 38 times its face value.
The 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p coin is sold from £20, which is 40 times its face value.
Other rarer Beatrix Potter coins include the 2018 Mrs Tittlemouse 50p, minted 1.7 million times, and the 2016 Jemima Puddle-Duck 50p, with a minted figure of 2.1 million.
How to know how much a collectable coin is worth
The Royal Mint has provided some advice for collectors on understanding their value, particularly when purchasing coins on the secondary market.
It recommends firstly establishing what type of coin it is, whether it be standard ‘circulating’ coins, released from The Royal Mint to banks and post offices each year, or a commemorative coin.
These are designed predominantly to be collectable items and gifts, celebrating key events, anniversaries and themes.
Factors to consider before committing to a price include the condition of the coin, its design, mintage figure (how many were made) and what it’s made of.
The Royal Mint advises that when buying secondhand, to check whether the item still has its original packaging and – if it’s a proof edition – a certificate of authenticity.
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Rebecca Morgan, Director at The Royal Mint, said: “There are occasionally reports of coins selling for large amounts on the secondary market, some of which seem a bit far-fetched, 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.
“If you have a coin and are unsure about its history, rarity or authenticity, 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.”
Royal Mint’s top 10 most valuable 50p coins in 2026
Here is a list of the top 10 most valuable coins for this year, when they were made, and how many were minted:
Have you ever collected or found a rare coin? Let us know in the comments.