Peter Rabbit and other Beatrix Potter furry friends on new coins

Four designs will feature the cuddly children’s book characters

In Beatrix Potter’s much-loved Tale Of The Flopsy Bunnies, Mr McGregor – the ever-menacing anti-hero – announces he will make quick cash by selling a sack of his floppy-eared neighbours.

Now, more than 100 years since the book’s release, the Royal Mint has revealed the farmer’s mortal enemies shall adorn the very object of his desire – a dazzling set of coins.

Peter Rabbit is one of four characters from the children’s author’s canon to appear on change this year, also including Flopsy Bunny – the mother of the captured rabbits.

The four designs will be added to the mint’s Beatrix Potter collection, first launched in 2016 to commemorate 150 years since her birth.

Peter Rabbit is the first of the 50p pieces to go on sale today, followed later this year by Flopsy Bunny, Mrs Tittlemouse and a helpful mouse from The Tailor Of Gloucester. Each image embossed on the coin is a painstaking recreation of the hand-painted illustrations which brought the books to life, the Royal Mint said.

Peter Rabbit – arguably the author’s most celebrated creation – is shown gleefully gnawing on several swiped carrots while sporting his trademark blue jacket.

Silver-proof coloured coins are to be available for £60 each – considerably more than the maverick McGregor expected to stump up as he set out to “buy myself baccy”.

The “brilliant uncirculated silver” coins will hit the market at £10, before the plain-metal versions come into the public’s pocket when they enter circulation for a limited time later this year.

Emma Noble, the designer for the Royal Mint, was in charge of fashioning the images, having previously worked on coins for the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation and Remembrance Sunday.

Anne Jessopp, acting CEO at the Royal Mint, said: “The Beatrix Potter range has grown in popularity since Peter Rabbit was first introduced on to UK coins in 2016. Since then, Peter Rabbit has been joined by a number of furry friends throughout the years.

“This year we are delighted to present another group of Beatrix’s characters, giving them a new lease of life on our specially-designed coloured commemorative coins.”

Peter Rabbit coins can be bought on the Royal Mint’s website now.

Pictures: PA. The 50p piece shows Peter nibbling on a pawful of carrots from Mr McGregor’s garden.

The commemorative coins depict some of Potter’s best-loved characters: Peter Rabbit, Flopsy Bunny, Mrs Tittlemouse and a helpful mouse from The Tailor of Gloucester.