Squirrel Nutkin 50p
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of one of Britain's best-loved authors, Beatrix Potter, the Royal Mint launched a collection of commemorative coins featuring her storybook characters. The mischievous Squirrel Nutkin is one of the most popular. This captivating character is showcased on the series of Squirrel Nutkin 50p coins, designed by Emma Noble. The design is a lovely close-up of that beloved face, with clearly visible whisker details and his bushy tail in all its glory before his encounter with Old Brown. A number of the coins have been produced in colour for an even more special finish.
Coin Condition
Coins may be advertised as circulated or uncirculated. Circulated coins will have been used as money, and as such may have scuff, bumps and other imperfections. Uncirculated coins come straight from the Royal Mint and have usually only been handled by collectors. Some may even come in sealed bags, having never been handled at all.
‘Brilliant uncirculated' (also referred to as BU) condition means that the coins have been finished to a finer standard than those put out for circulation. As well as looking out for the condition of your coin, keep an eye out for additional extras. Certificates of authentication are of obvious interest to many serious coin collectors, while presentation cases add a beautiful touch for those interested in aesthetics.
Colourful Coins
While some of the authentic Beatrix Potter coins have been produced using colours, these should not be confused with coins that have been altered using enamel paint. For example, you'll find some Squirrel Nutkin coins where costumes have been added by an artist. The Santa Claus Christmas coins are a popular variation, while others may simply have changed the colour of the background for artistic effect. These enamelled coins are a fun choice for beginner collectors.