Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2017, KM# 1431a, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny
  • 50 Pence 2017, KM# 1431a, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny
  • 50 Pence 2017, KM# 1431a, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Perspex block with a booklet
  • 50 Pence 2017, KM# 1431a, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Perspex block for display
  • 50 Pence 2017, KM# 1431a, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Booklet inspired by Beatrix’s illustrations
Description

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter (1866–1943), and first published by Frederick Warne & Co. in September 1904. The book is a sequel to The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902), and tells of Peter's return to Mr. McGregor's garden with his cousin Benjamin to retrieve the clothes he lost there during his previous adventure. In Benjamin Bunny, Potter deepened the rabbit universe she created in Peter Rabbit, and, in doing so, suggested the rabbit world was parallel to the human world but complete and sufficient unto itself.

Benjamin Bunny was an instant commercial and popular success, and thousands of copies were in print by the end of 1904. The Times Literary Supplement thought Potter's illustrations "pencil perfect", but suggested that she engage a literary assistant for future productions. Potter created a nursery wallpaper tapping Benjamin's image, and Benjamin returned as an adult rabbit in the Flopsy Bunnies and Mr. Tod.

The Proof coins are presented in custom clear frame cases that are protected with an outer box and include a certificate of authenticity.

Obverse

The fifth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and drop earrings.

The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Jody Clark

·ELIZABETH II·D·G·REG·F·D·50 PENCE·2017
J.C

Reverse

Image of Beatrix Potter's Benjamin Bunny dressed in his little brown jacket and over-sized tam-o’-shanter. The design incorporates colour printing, reflecting the watercolour style of the original illustrations.

Potter borrowed a cat, and took a pet rabbit to Fawe Park as models. Her meticulous preparation before finalizing an illustration was noted in a letter to Warne: "I think I have done every imaginable rabbit background and miscellaneous sketches as well – about seventy! I hope you will like them, though rather scribbled." Scribbled or not, the work is of the highest quality with the sketches of onions and red carnations (which were dropped as the frontispiece) being chief examples. The illustrations communicate her obvious appreciation and love for the humble pots, onions, and flowers of the garden. Many of the objects in the illustrations – the gate, the potting shed, the wall – have changed little over the years and are recognizable today from her illustrations. Aware the type of story she was writing was set primarily in colours of fawn, brown, and soft green, Potter wrote that, "the (red) handkerchief will make a good bit of colour all through the book."

Engraver: Emma Noble

BENJAMIN BUNNY
en

Edge

50 Pence

5th portrait, Silver Proof Coin
KM# 1431a Sp# H49
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 8 g
Diameter 27.3 mm
Thickness -
Shape polygon
Sides 7
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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