Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2020, Sp# H89, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Winnie the Pooh and Friends, Piglet
  • 50 Pence 2020, Sp# H89, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Winnie the Pooh and Friends, Piglet
Description

Loveable Winnie the Pooh is the latest family favourite to be brought to life on an official United Kingdom coin series. This collection of 50p coins is a nostalgic reminder for fans of the ‘silly old bear’ and his friends, inspired by the classic stories of A. A. Milne and featuring the original illustrations of E. H. Shepard. This is the first time the world of Winnie the Pooh has been celebrated on coins struck by The Royal Mint.

The series features nine coins celebrating the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood, with three released in 2020, featuring Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin and Piglet, and six more over the following two years.

The first collection of stories about Winnie-the-Pooh was the book Winnie-the-Pooh (1926), and this was followed by The House at Pooh Corner (1928). Milne also included a poem about the bear in the children's verse book When We Were Very Young (1924) and many more in Now We Are Six (1927). All four volumes were illustrated by E. H. Shepard.

In 1961, Walt Disney Productions licensed certain film and other rights of Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh stories from the estate of A. A. Milne and the licensing agent Stephen Slesinger, Inc., and adapted the Pooh stories, using the unhyphenated name "Winnie the Pooh", into a series of features that would eventually become one of its most successful franchises.

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·2020
J.C

Reverse

Piglet blowing out a dandelion seedhead and thinking of a wish wanted to come true, has been captured in one of E. H. Shepard’s original illustrations y. A friendly bee buzzes from one coin to the next to link the series.

Piglet is a fictional character from A. A. Milne's Winnie‑the‑Pooh books. Piglet is Winnie‑the‑Pooh's closest friend amongst all the toys and animals featured in the stories. Although he is a "Very Small Animal" of a generally timid disposition, he tries to be brave and on occasion conquers his fears. Like most of the characters, Piglet was based on one of Christopher Robin Milne's stuffed animals.

Piglet
©Disney

Edge
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

Related coins

5th portrait, Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh and Friends

Cupronickel, 8 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm
5th portrait, Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh and Friends

Cupronickel, 8 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm
5th portrait, Gold Proof Coin, Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh and Friends

Gold, 15.5 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm