Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2018, KM# 1558, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 60th Anniversary of Paddington Bear, Paddington at the Station
  • 50 Pence 2018, KM# 1558, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 60th Anniversary of Paddington Bear, Paddington at the Station
  • 50 Pence 2018, KM# 1558, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, 60th Anniversary of Paddington Bear, Paddington at the Station, Folder
Description

Struck to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic book, A Bear Called Paddington for the first time, Paddington features on two official UK coins.

Paddington Bear is a fictional character in children's literature. He first appeared on 13 October 1958 in the children's book A Bear Called Paddington and has been featured in more than twenty books written by British author Michael Bond and illustrated by Peggy Fortnum and other artists. The friendly bear from Peru—with his old hat, battered suitcase (complete with a secret compartment, enabling it to hold more items than it would appear to), duffle coat and love of marmalade—has become a classic character from English children's literature. Paddington books have been translated into 30 languages across 70 titles and sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. A much loved fictional character in British culture, a Paddington Bear soft toy was chosen by British tunnellers as the first item to pass through to their French counterparts when the two sides of the Channel Tunnel were linked in 1994.

Paddington is an anthropomorphised bear. He is always polite – addressing people as "Mr", "Mrs" and "Miss", rarely by first names – and kindhearted, though he inflicts hard stares on those who incur his disapproval. He has an endless capacity for innocently getting into trouble, but he is known to "try so hard to get things right." He was discovered in Paddington Station, London, by the (human) Brown family who adopted him, and thus he gives his full name as "Paddington Brown".

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 Paddington sitting on his suitcase at Paddington Station. This was where the story began for the famous teddy bear.

Every detail has been considered on the coin, from Paddington’s famous duffle coat to the label around his neck that reads 'Please look after this Bear. Thank You.’

Engraver: David Knapton

PLEASE LOOK
AFTER THIS
BEAR. THANK
YOU.
DK

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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