Every now and then there's a coin that is 'worth' much more than its face value, and that seems to be what's happening with a Peter Rabbit 50p! This rare design of a 50p piece has been found on eBay selling for over £800 - do you have one lurking in your pocket?
The Peter Rabbit 50p coins were released back in 2016 to commemorate 150 years since Beatrix Potter's birth. At the time 9.6 million of them were minted, however, despite the millions in circulation, it seems that they are still quite sought after, attracting a lot of attention on eBay.
Following its initial release in 2016, the following year, a coloured version of the coin was released, along with three other designs to supplement the initial collection of 50p coins. As soon as details of the new, collectable coin were released, thousands flocked to the Royal Mint's website causing it to crash!
See some other special coins and notes that you should look out for:
Special Money - coins and notes
1 of 14UK Crowned Shield £1 coin
Although they are fairly common, they can currently fetch around £3 - £5.50. They are one of the oldest £1 coins around having been minted in 1988, just five years after the £1 coin was introduced.
2 of 14Edinburgh City £1 coin
This was released in 2011 and is thought to be worth £12 - £16.
3 of 14Scotland's Thistle and Bluebell £1 coin
Even with a mintage of 5.1 million it is worth £3 - £5 to collectors.
4 of 14Cardiff City £1 coin
This coin features the Coat of Arms of Cardiff as the principal focus to represent Wales. It is thought to be worth £11 - £15.
5 of 14London City £1 coin
Although more common than the Scottish and Welsh versions it is still worth £5 - £8.
6 of 14EC and Kew Gardens
Dating back to 1992/3 this larger 50p coin (left) was issued to celebrate the British presidency of the council of Europe. No longer in circulation could be worth around £40.The Kew Gardens design was minted to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Only 210,000 coins were made and is now expected to sell on eBay for £70 - £100.
7 of 142011 WWF and 2012 The Offside Explained
2011 WWF design of the 50p (left) can often sell for around £200 to collectors.The Offside Explained 50p apparently regularly changes hands for around £10.
8 of 142012 Olympics - Swimmer
Early versions of the coin show the swimmer with the water covering their head, however later versions have the lines of water removed.According to eBay only 600 of the early version are in circulation, fetching up to £3000 when they were first placed on eBay.
9 of 14New fiver (£5)
The new £5 note was released into circulation on the 13th September 2016. Notes with serial numbers starting with AA or AK 47 sold for much more than than their face value.
10 of 14New tenner (£10)
The new £10 note, featuring Jane Austen was released on 14th September 2017.As before many with the serial number AA or AK 47 were highly sought after as well as those with serial numbers relating to Jane Austen's birthday, date of death, or date the Pride and Prejudice was first published.
11 of 14Peter Rabbit 50p
The Peter Rabbit collectable coin is available to buy from the Royal Mint.
12 of 14Benjamin Bunny 50p
Benjamin Bunny was released earlier this year (2017).
13 of 14Tom Kitten 50p
Tom Kitten was released earlier this year (2017).
14 of 14Jeremy Fisher 50p
Jeremy Fisher was released earlier this year (2017).
Previous to the reports of the Peter Rabbit 50p selling for over £800 on eBay, there had been reports that it sold for £4,750, however, these turned out to be untrue after it was relisted. In fact, after a quick search on eBay there are several Peter Rabbit 50p coins listed at amounts much higher than their face value. Time will tell if they actually sell.
The Royal Mint regularly release new designs of the coins, just earlier this they released new 50p and £2 coins. The 50p coin was to mark 'A Turning Point in British Democracy' as it is 100 years since the Representation of the People Act passed through Parliament.
This was the act that allowed voting rights to all men over the age of 21 and women over the age of 30, who met certain requirements. The design depicts five people, including two women, with the words '1918 Representation of the People Act'.
Three new £2 coin designs were also revealed in January this year. The first has the word 'Frankenstein' to mark 200 years since the publication of Mary Shelley’s book.
The second commemorates the 100th anniversary of the First World War Armistice. And the third £2 design honours another centenary, this time the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force which was formed in 1918.
Time to check your pockets!
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