Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2018, KM# 1555, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tailor of Gloucester
  • 50 Pence 2018, KM# 1555, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tailor of Gloucester
  • 50 Pence 2018, KM# 1555, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tailor of Gloucester, A colourful case inspired by Beatrix Potter’s illustrations
Description

The Tailor of Gloucester is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, privately printed by the author in 1902, and published in a trade edition by Frederick Warne & Co. in October 1903. The story is about a tailor whose work on a waistcoat is finished by the grateful mice he rescues from his cat and was based on a real world incident involving a tailor and his assistants. For years, Potter declared that of all her books it was her personal favourite.

The coin has been finished to Brilliant Uncirculated standard. The coin comes in a fold-out case, inspired by Beatrix Potter’s own watercolour illustrations, including more details about the inspiration behind the popular character.

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·2018
J.C

Reverse

Depicts one of the helpful little mice from the story, sitting cross-legged on a cotton reel, complete with newspaper and tiny glasses. The image is taken from the first edition cover of The Tailor of Gloucester.

A tailor in Gloucester sends his cat Simpkin to buy food and a twist of cherry-coloured silk to complete a waistcoat commissioned by the mayor for his wedding on Christmas morning. Whilst Simpkin is gone, the tailor finds mice the cat has imprisoned under teacups. The mice are released and scamper away. When Simpkin returns and finds his mice gone, he hides the twist in anger.

The tailor falls ill and is unable to complete the waistcoat, but, upon returning to his shop, he is surprised to find the waistcoat finished. The work has been done by the grateful mice. However, one buttonhole remains unfinished because there was "no more twist!" Simpkin gives the tailor the twist to complete the work and the success of the waistcoat makes the tailor's fortune.

Engraver: Emma Noble

THE TAILOR OF GLOUCESTER
en.

Edge
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Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 8 g
Diameter 27.3 mm
Thickness -
Shape polygon
Sides 7
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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