The 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p coin - how much is it worth?

The story behind the 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p coin

In 2018, the Royal Mint issued the first of four commemorative coins to celebrate the iconic 60th anniversary of Paddington Bear’s first appearance in 1958 in Michael Bond’s novel “A Bear Called Paddington”.The three other coins in the Paddington series were 2018 Paddington at the Palace, 2019 Paddington at the Tower and 2019 Paddington at St. Paul's Cathedral. 

The Paddington at the Station reverse 50p design, is about where the famous bear was found - at Paddington Station under the famous arches - in the original story of 1958 after arriving from Darkest Peru, hence why he was named Paddington.

This fifty pence coin is designed by David Knapton and is predominantly based on the modern adaptation of the CGI-live action movie which was released in November 2014. It features Paddington sitting his suitcase wearing his blue duffle coat and broken old red bush hat at the railway station.

This is where he first meets The Browns, the family that takes him in, at the station on the edge of Platform 1. He had the famous tag around his neck, which reads ‘Please look after this bear. Thank you.’ 

The charming and polite Paddington Bear has always had a love for marmalade sandwiches and he quickly became one of the most popular fictional characters of both children and adults alike. Since its first release, Paddington has gone on to feature in over 20 books and has sold over 35 million copies around the world.

The 2018 Paddington at the Station 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 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p special?

This particular 50p coin holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and Paddington Bear enthusiasts. It depicts Paddington Bear sitting on his suitcase at the iconic London Paddington Station, 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 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p coin

As we mentioned the reverse designed by David Knapton features Paddington wearing his famous blue duffle coat and battered old bush hat on the platform. Paddington can be seen in the foreground while behind him we see an InterCity 125 Train pictured behind him. The initials DK of the Reverse Designer, David Knapton, can be seen to the left of Paddington's feet and the base 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 ·2018.

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.

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 the Royal Mint for 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 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p coin

Official figures from the Royal Mint's website show that the 2018 Paddington at the Station coin was the rarest of the four Paddington 50p coins released, with a mintage of 5,001,000. 

This fifty pence was available to purchase in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) quality from release date: 18 June 2018. The BU Mintage figures include 57,206 coins in Paddington at the Station Royal Mint packs and 117,340 sold as coins in tubes (loose BU) to official distributors.

In 2018 another Paddington coin, the second in the series was released, the Paddington at the Palace 50p coin which had a mintage of 5,901,000.

Also released in 2018 were the rarest 50p coins in the Beatrix Potter series, the 2018 Peter Rabbit and the 2018 Flopsy Bunny 50p coin, which both have a mintage of 1.4 million.

Is the 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p coin rare?

The Paddington at the Station 50p can be found in your change and a total of 5,001,000 coins dated 2018 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 Queen filmed for the Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, mourners left Paddington toys alongside floral tributes at Buckingham Palace.

Factors that affect the value of the 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p

Several factors can influence the value of the 2018 Paddington at the Station 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 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p?

The 2018 Paddington at the Station 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.

You can buy the 2018 Paddington at the Station 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 from us by clicking here.

Unfortunately, as this coin is now 5 years old, the Royal Mint no longer stocks this coin so it is only available to buy on the secondary market.

Are there any errors recorded for this fifty 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 Bond on 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.

The outline of the lonely bear at Paddington Station was inspired by old newsreels showing train loads of child evacuees leaving London during World War II, with labels around their necks and their possessions in small suitcases.

The 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p coin - how much is it worth? Conclusion

The 2018 Paddington at the Station 50p is a special commemorative coin that celebrates the iconic character Paddington Bear. While its value can vary, owning this coin can be a delightful addition to any collection, especially for fans of Paddington Bear and numismatics alike.