The 2019 Paddington at St. Paul's Cathedral 50p coin is a remarkable addition to any coin collection. In celebrating the iconic character Paddington Bear and his adventures at St. Paul's Cathedral, the Royal Mint released the last 50p coin in thisfour-coin series in 2019.
Paddington Bear is notably one of Britain's most loveable fictional characters. He is charming and has been loved through the decades by children and adults alike.
In 2018, to mark the 60thanniversary of the book ‘A Bear Called Paddington’, the Royal Mint issued the first collection of Paddington Bear 50p coins - Paddington at the Station 50p coin and Paddington at the Palace 50p coin. Both of these designs were released into circulation and were extremely popular. Special editionsilver-proof coins and coins of brilliant uncirculated quality were also available from the Royal Mint at the time.
Following on from the success of the previous year, in 2019, the Royal Mint continued to pay tribute to Paddington and issued two more commemorative coins of the famous bear. The final coin in thefour-coin series was to be Paddington at St. Paul's Cathedral 50p.
The story behind the 2019 Paddington at St Paul's 50p coin
In 2019, the Royal Mint issued the last commemorative coin to celebrate the iconic 60th anniversary of Paddington Bear’s first appearance in 1958 in Michael Bond’s novel “A Bear Called Paddington”. The last coin in the series to be released was the2019 Paddington at St/ Paul's Cathedral 50p coin.
The first coin in the Paddington series was the 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p coin and this was to be followed by the 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p and the 2019 Paddington at the Palace 50p coin was the third in the series.
This fifty pence coin is designed by David Knapton and is predominantly based on the modern adaptationof the CGI-live action movie which was released in November 2014. It features Paddington standing outside another famous London landmark, St. Paul's Cathedral.
The 2019 Paddington at St. Paul's 50p is a commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint in the United Kingdom. It features the beloved character Paddington Bear from the popular children's books by Michael Bond. The coin was released to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Paddington Bear's first appearance in literature.
Why is the 2019 Paddington at St. Paul's 50p special?
This particular 50p coin holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and Paddington Bear enthusiasts. It depicts Paddington Bear standing outside St. Paul's Cathedral, wearing his signature blue duffle coat and red hat. The design captures the essence of the lovable bear and has become a favourite among coin collectors.
The design of the 2019 Paddington at St. Paul's 50p coin
Featuring a design by David Knapton, the 2019 Paddington at the Tower 50p coin showcases Paddington Bear wearing his famous red hat and blue coat, tipping his hat, standing proudly in front of the historic dome of St. Paul's Cathedral.
The Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p coin was the last coin to be released in the series and the second of two to be released in 2019. The design has intricate detail and high-quality craftsmanship making this coin a must for any coin collection.
The initials DK of the Reverse Designer, David Knapton, can be seen to the right ofPaddington Bear, at the side of the coin.
The obverse of the coin features the 5th Portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark
On the obverse side, running continuously around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 50 PENCE ·2019.
Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials J.C for Jody Clark.
Specifications:
Denomination50p
Year2019
Weight8.00g
Diameter27.30mm
Reverse DesignerDavid Knapton
Obverse DesignerJody Clark
MetalCupro-Nickel
Mintage9,001,000
Jody Clark was the youngest person to design the monarch’s profile on this currency at the age of just 33. Jody Clark was also the first Royal Mint employee to design a UK definitive coin portrait in more than 100 years.
He had only been working at theRoyal Mintfor about two years prior. The new design would be the first time her portrait had been changed in 17 years.
Jody Clark’s design was unveiled in 2015 as the fifth definitive coinage portrait of Her Majesty and the fourth portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in circulation.
Mintage of the 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p coin
Official figures from the Royal Mint's website show that the 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's coin was equal third rarestof the four Paddington 50p coins released, with a mintage of 9,001,000, the same mintage as the 2019 Paddington atthe Tower50p coin.
The Paddington at St. Paul's 50p can be found in your change: 9,001,000 coins dated 2019 were struck to enter circulation.
Thisfifty-pence coin had a Brilliant Uncirculated Mintage of 83,717 and released on 12th September 2019. The total BU Mintage figures include 28,219 coins in Paddington at St Paul's Cathedral Royal Mint packs and 55,499 sold as coins in tubes (loose BU) to official distributors.
Also released in 2019 was the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 50p coin or the Sherlock Holmes 50p coin.
Is the 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p coin rare?
The Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p can be found in your change and a total of 9,001,000 coins dated 2019 were struck to enter circulation.
This mintage does not make it a particularly rare coin but following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Paddington Bear has become a symbol for the nation's grief and popularity of these coins has grown and grown which makes the coin more scarce as collectors take them out of circulation.
As a result of the famous comedy sketch between Paddington and the late Queenfilmed for the Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, mourners left Paddington toys alongside floral tributes at Buckingham Palace.
How much is the 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p coin worth?
The value of the 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's50p can vary depending on its condition and rarity. As a commemorative coin, it holds a higher value than regular circulation coins. On average, a circulated 2019 Paddington at the Tower 50p can be worth around £2.50 to £3.50 excluding postage costs and fees. However, if you have a coin in pristine condition or a limited edition version, its value can increase significantly.
Factors that affect the value of the 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p
Several factors can influence the value of the 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p:
- Rarity: Limited edition versions or coins with errors or variations are more valuable.
- Condition: Coins in excellent condition without any signs of wear or damage are more sought after.
- Demand: The popularity of Paddington Bear and the coin among collectors can drive up its value.
Where can you find the 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p?
The 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p was released into circulation so you may come across it in your everyday change, but due to its popularity, it can be challenging to find.
The 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p coin can be obtained through various channels:
1. Royal Mint: The Royal Mint is the official distributor of this coin. You could purchase it directly from their website or visit their physical stores.
2. Coin collectors: Check with reputable coin collectors and dealers who may have this coin available for sale or trade.
3. Online marketplaces: Keep an eye on online marketplaces where collectors often sell or trade coins. Exercise caution and ensure the authenticity of the coin before making a purchase.
You can buy the 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p coin online on auction sites such as eBay or Amazon but please ensure you look at all the information and reputation of the seller.
Alternatively, you can buy it fromus byclicking here.
Unfortunately, as this coin is now 4 years old, the Royal Mint no longerstocks this coin so it is only available to buy on the secondary market.
There are several reasons why the 2019 Paddington atSt. Paul's 50p coin is a valuable addition to any collection:
1. Rarity: This coin has a limited mintage, making it highly sought after by collectors.
2. Historical significance:St. Paul's Cathedral is a symbol of British history and heritage, and this coin captures that essence.
3. Investment potential: As a limited edition coin, its value is likely to increase over time, making it a smart investment.
Are there any errors recorded for thisfifty-pence coin?
No errors have been declared by the Royal Mint so please be careful when sellers are listing the coin denoting any errors.
Bit of Trivia
The character of Paddington Bear is based on a lone teddy bear, noticed by author Michael Bondon a shelf in a London store near Paddington Station on Christmas Eve 1956. Bond bought it as a present for his wife, and was eventually inspired to write a story.
Amazingly, Michael Bond wrote the first Paddington story in just ten days. It quickly became a smash hit and went on to write over 25 books, each one filled with lots of stories about the bear and his adventures. How amazing is that?
