Holy crap. I just spent 20 minutes digging through my change jar after seeing this. My wife thinks I've finally lost it. "You're not going to find a magic coin worth thousands in that pile of laundry money," she said, rolling her eyes. Whatever.
A ridiculously rare 50p coin featuring Benjamin Bunny (yes, the cute little rabbit from those books your gran read to you) is currently listed on Ebay for an absolutely mind-melting £150,000. That's not a typo. One hundred and fifty THOUSAND pounds for something that would normally buy you half a chocolate bar at teh corner shop.
Why This Tiny Coin Is Making Everyone Go Coin-Crazy
The coin dates back to 2017 and features Queen Elizabeth II on one side (as coins do) and Beatrix Potter's Benjamin Bunny character on the other. I actually remember these coming out - my daughter was obsessed with "Peter Rabbit and friends" back then. Never thought to keep any as an investment though. Kicking myself now.
The seller describes it as a "great addition to any collection" which might be the understatement of the century. It's like saying a Ferrari is "quite a nice car".
Is This Just Another Internet Fantasy?
Listen. I've been writing about rare coins for 3 years now, and while some listings are pure fantasy, the Benjamin Bunny 50p is genuinely sought after. Not necessarily at £150K (that's ambitious even by collector standards), but these special coins DO sell for surprising amounts.
The coin is made from 0.925 fineness silver, uncertified, and manufactured right here in the UK.
I texted my friend who works at a coin shop in Manchester about this listing. His response: "People are losing their minds over these Potter coins. Had a guy come in yesterday ready to drop £2k on one without even checking if it was genuine."
The Woman Behind the Bunny
Beatrix Potter wasn't just some random children's author. She was a proper powerhouse - writer, illustrator, and scientist who lived from 1866 to 1943. The Tale of Benjamin Bunny was published way back in 1904, and here we are, 120 years later, losing our minds over a coin with his face on it.
Imagine what Potter would think about all this fuss.
So... do I need to remortgage my house for this thing?
Probably not. The listing includes a "best offer" option, which suggests the seller knows £150,086.72 (plus £8.35 postage, because apparently when you're spending 150 grand on a coin, that extra £8.35 for delivery really matters) is a stretch.
But it does make you wonder what might be hiding in your pocket change.
Back in 2018, I found what I thought was a rare £2 coin and spent days researching it, only to discover it was completely ordinary. My editor bet me $20 I wouldn't find anything valuable in my collection. He won.
The Kew Gardens Connection
This isn't even the first time a 50p has caused collectors to lose their minds. The famous Kew Gardens 50p from 2009 (which the Royal Mint calls "the most sought-after" coin) recently sold for nearly 300 times its face value after a bidding war.
I feel stupid now for spending all those commemorative coins over the years.
So check your pockets, your piggy banks, and that weird collection of change sitting in your car's cup holder. You never know what might be hiding there.
Or don't. And continue living your life without obsessing over small pieces of metal like the rest of us coin nerds.
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- As of 2021, the average student loan debt for recent graduates was approximately $30,000, according to the Federal Reserve.
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Understanding credit cards involves knowing how they work, including interest rates, fees, and benefits. Choose a credit card that aligns with your spending habits, whether for rewards, cash back, or low interest. Always pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges and maintain a good credit score. Use your card for regular expenses to build credit but avoid overspending; stick to your budget. Regularly check your statements for errors and fraudulent charges. Finally, understand the terms of your card, including rewards expiration and annual fees, to maximize benefits while minimizing costs.
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