PLEASE LOOK AFTER THIS COIN
Student has been bid £16,000 for Paddington 50p
THE Royal Mint unveils a new Paddington Bear 50p piece tomorrow – but a lucky student from Wales has already found one in her change, popped it on eBay and received bids of £16,000.
Jordan Mcilquham, from Caerphilly, found what is thought to be an accidentallyleaked coin in her purse after a “quick shop” in town last week.
The details of the new coins had not then been released by the Royal Mint, based around 10 miles from Caerphilly in Llantrisant. It is believed to have been accidentally pocketed by someone at the Mint, before being spent at a nearby shop.
When they are officially launched, the coins will feature the travelling bear in two of his most famous locations, Paddington Station and Buckingham Palace.
Launched to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his first adventure in A Bear Called Paddington, the coins will be released tomorrow, in both silver and colour.
The Royal Mint says the coins won’t be released into circulation, and to get your hands on one will cost £10. You can buy them direct from the Mint.
Jordan, 19, said: “I was just out shopping in Caerphilly, I came home and checked my bag to make sure my card was still there and I saw a lovely coin.
“I Googled it to see if it was worth anything but there was nothing about the coin anywhere, so I went on Facebook and con- tacted a group – it was something like UK Coin Collecters. I spoke to them and said I had this coin and they told me about it. I couldn’t believe it.”
Jordan added: “I’m not a coin collector, so it was a bit of a surprise. I have been contacted by the Royal Mint. We had advice and were told it was their mistake, so I could keep the coin if I wanted to.
“I put it up on eBay and it went up for £16,000, but I think it was a fake bid. It’s currently still in my bedroom. I’m just keeping it for now.
“I’ll have to get in contact with eBay and see what can come of it, because I’m worried as there are so many fake bidders.”
Earlier this year, Privy Council documents revealed that the Queen had ordered two new 50p coins to be designed in honour of the animated character.
There were details about what the coin would look like, but the official details were still under wraps.
First created in 1958 by Michael Bond, Paddington Bear has captured the imagination of generations.
The Royal Mint said fans will recognise his iconic suitcase, his namesake train station and Buckingham Palace – which will feature on the stunning coins.
Dave Knapton, coin designer at The Royal Mint, was chosen to immortalise Michael Bond’s character for the collection.
“I loved reading the books about Paddington when I was younger, and felt a real sense of nostalgia as I was designing these coins,” he said.
“Paddington was part of my childhood, but now he’s being discovered by a whole new generation.
“I wanted to bring his portrait to life and show him in a very realistic environment, so I began with a modern train at Paddington Station, showing Paddington waiting patiently on his suitcase for his new life to begin.”
Royal Mint chief executive Anne Jessopp added: “It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate a character from popular culture as wellloved as Paddington Bear, and the 60th anniversary of the books seemed an appropriate time.
“I’m sure Paddington would be very honoured to be the first Peruvian bear to appear on British coins.”
The collection will be available to purchase from The Royal Mint website and at selected Post Offices from tomorrow.