When does the Tom Kitten 50p coin come out? Release date, design and value – All you need to know
A NEW, limited-edition 50p coin has launched as part of the Royal Mint's continuing celebration of the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter's birth.
After the vast success of the Mint's other coins in the Beatrix Potter series, they've released an all-new Tom Kitten 50p. Here's all you need to know...
When is the new Tom Kitten 50p coin out?
The next instalment of the colourful Beatrix Potter 50p series, featuring the face of cheeky Tom Kitten, has been released today (August 7).
A series of four commemorative coins celebrating the British author was originally minted in 2016, to mark the 150th anniversary of her birth.
But animal characters from her books, like The Tale of Peter Rabbit, proved to be so popular that the Mint decided to expand the series.
As such, an additional Peter Rabbit 50p, Benjamin Bunny 50p, Jeremy Fisher 50p and the Tom Kitten 50p are all among the Mint's list of .
How can you get the now Tom Kitten 50p coin?
If you are hoping to get your hands on the limited-edition coin, you'll have to head to the
The coins won't enter circulation so have to be bought from the online store.
They can be purchased for £10 for the typical coin or £60 for the silver proof version.
What does the new Tom Kitten 50p coin look like?
Like the other coins in the series, the Tom Kitten coin is available in standard silver and in colour, if you buy it from the Royal Mint.
This latest addition to the commemorative Beatrix Potter collection features a wide-eyed Tom Kitten, from The Tale of Tom Kitten - a Potter book from 1907.
It has been finished to a higher standard than circulating coins, and is being sold in a fold-out or acrylic case, depending on your choice of silver or colour.
The design on the back has been deliberately chosen to reflect the hand-painted illustrations in Beatrix Potter's iconic books.
Meanwhile, the reverse side shows the definitive Jody Clark portrait of the Queen, which you'll recognise from your other post-2015 coins.
How much is the new Tom Kitten 50p worth?
If it wasn't for Britain's recent obsession with rare coins, asking how much a 50p is worth would seem like a stupid question.
At face value, the commemorative coin isn't even worth that, since it can't be used in shops.
But thanks to interest from collectors, a previous coin in the Beatrix Potter series, the Jemima Puddle-Duck 50p, has an estimated sale value of £100 nonetheless.
The Mint has been the commemorative coins to the public for far greater than their face value, with the latest coin, the Mr. Jeremy Fisher 50p, sold for £10 apiece.
If you want the colour version, rather than the basic silver one, you'll have to pay even more, with the Mint selling them for £60 each.
Last time a commemorative coin in the series was released, the Royal Mint website was flooded with interest, and would-be buyers were placed in queue lasting up to an hour.
It's not yet clear just how much the coin will be worth in a few month's time, since its value will depend on how many are released.
Which are the most valuable 50p coins?
Kew Gardens 50p
Currently, the rarest coin of any denomination is the Kew Gardens 50p.
There are just 210,000 of the commemorative 50p pieces – which celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Royal Botanical Gardens – in circulation, making them hugely valuable.
Previously, Kew Garden coins have sold on eBay for £120.
London 2012 Olympics 50p
One London Olympics coin is worth gold if you have it – the original aquatic coin, which shows water passing directly over the swimmer’s face.
There were only 600 coins created before the design changed slightly to show a swimmer’s face but if you have one it could reportedly earn you up to £1,000 in eBay.
WWF 50p
The special-edition WWF design was released in 2011.
It features the famous panda logo at the centre and is decorated with 50 other animals, including dolphins, frogs and butterflies.
It could sell for up to £50 on eBay. Other sold listings were around £25.
