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UK Coins

Benjamin Bunny 50p

Cupro-nickel Circulating 2017 50p Beatrix Potter  Share This Coin:
Benjamin Bunny 50p - Reverse - 2017 UK 50p Coin
Price Guide
£0.50
Rarity Score 0
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Coin Specifications

Denomination
50p
Year
2017
Metal
Cupro-nickel
Finish
Circulating
Mintage
25,000,000
Weight
8.00 g
Diameter
27.30 mm
Obverse
Jody Clark
Reverse
Emma Noble

How much is the Benjamin Bunny 50p worth?

As a circulating coin, the Benjamin Bunny 50p is worth its face value of 50p. However, collectors may pay more for high-grade examples or if the coin is scarce. Check our rarity score to see how sought-after this coin is.

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Coin Description

Struck in 2017 to commemorate Beatrix Potter's 150th Anniversary Part of the Beatrix Potter collection designed by Emma Noble, the reverse of this coin features the mischeivous Benjamin Bunny, wearing the tam o'shanter hat borrowed from Mr. McGregor's scarecrow The obverse shows the last coinage portrait of Elizabeth II, designed by Jody Clark.

About This Coin

The 2017 Benjamin Bunny 50p

A Comprehensive Numismatic Study of Mintage, Value, and Market Misconceptions

1. Introduction: The Beatrix Potter Phenomenon

The release of the Beatrix Potter 50p series in 2016 and 2017 marked a watershed moment in British numismatics. It transformed coin collecting from a niche hobby into a national pastime. Among these releases, the Benjamin Bunny 50p stands as a fascinating case study in supply, demand, and the power of viral misinformation.

Designed by [Emma Noble], the coin depicts the cousin of Peter Rabbit in his signature oversized tam-o'-shanter hat. While aesthetically pleasing, its place in a collector's "Great Britain" set is often misunderstood due to its massive mintage numbers.

2. Technical Specifications

  • Obverse: Fifth Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark.
  • Reverse: Benjamin Bunny by Emma Noble.
  • Milled Edge: Plain.
  • Shape: Equilateral Curve Heptagon.
  • Mass: 8.00 grams.
  • Diameter: 27.30 mm.

3. Mintage Analysis: The "Common" Reality

In the world of coin collecting, rarity is the primary driver of value. According to data the Benjamin Bunny 50p is the most common of all the Beatrix Potter 50ps. With a circulation mintage of 25,000,000, it is significantly easier to find than the 2016 Jemima Puddle-Duck (2.1 million) or the 2017 Isaac Newton (1.8 million).

Coin Version Rarity Rank Estimated Mintage
Circulated (The one in your pocket) Very Low 25,000,000
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Low/Moderate N/A (Packaged in folders)
Silver Proof (Coloured) High 30,000 - 40,000
Gold Proof Extreme ~1,000

4. Market Value

If you search for this coin on eBay, you will likely see listings for £5,000, £10,000, or even £20,000. These are not realistic valuations.

Circulated Values

Because there are 25 million in circulation, the coin is typically worth its face value of 50p. In "Very Fine" condition, a collector might pay £1.00 to £1.50 to avoid the hassle of hunting for one. Anything higher is usually a result of "shill bidding" or sellers hoping for an uneducated buyer.

5. Collector's Guide to Grading

To the untrained eye, all 50ps look similar. To a numismatist, condition is everything:

  • Fine (F): Heavily circulated. Design details are flat. Worth 50p.
  • Very Fine (VF): Light wear, but major details remain sharp. Worth ~£1.
  • Extremely Fine (EF): Only trace wear on the highest points of Benjamin's hat. Worth ~£2.
  • Uncirculated (UNC): Fresh from a mint bag with full "mint luster." Worth ~£3-£5.
Pro Tip: Never clean your coins. Using polish or chemicals strips the "luster" (the microscopic flow lines of the metal) and can reduce a coin's value to a collector by 90%.

6. Conclusion: Should You Keep It?

If you find a Benjamin Bunny 50p in your change, you should keep it if you are building a collection for fun. It is a beautiful piece of British cultural history. However, from an investment standpoint, the circulated version is unlikely to appreciate significantly in our lifetime due to the sheer volume produced.