2018 Great Britain 50 Pence 8-Gram Silver Paddington at Buckingham Palace Proof

Silver Commemorative Celebrates Paddington Bear’s 60^th Anniversary

What was it about the furry, duffel coat-wearing, marmalade-loving bear named Paddington that had so many people around the world enthralled by his misadventures in England? Was it his Wellington boots? Was it his impeccable English accent and manners? Or was it his sketchy past from “mysterious” Peru? Perhaps it was simply the adorable stories about Paddington that sprung from the agile mind of British author Michael Bond that made Paddington one of the most beloved characters in children’s fiction.

Now, on the 60^th anniversary of Paddington’s first appearance in the book “A Bear Called Paddington,” the world-renowned British Royal Mint has struck an incredibly unique silver proof that pays tribute to the whimsical charm of the kind-hearted bear and one of his later adventures that took him to Buckingham Palace. This legal-tender coin not only features an eye-catching seven-sided heptagonal shape, but the image of Paddington has been selectively colorized right down to his distinctive overcoat and his battered old hat! It’s an adorable design that’s sure to melt the heart of anyone who remembers reading the book as a youngster or who has ever read the Paddington books to a child or grandchild.

Since his debut in 1958, Paddington has become an iconic figure not just in English children's literature, but in British culture as well. A bronze sculpture of Paddington rests patiently in Paddington Station where thousands of commuters and tourists stop for pictures on a daily basis. The frumpy little bear is such a national symbol that when British and French workers completed the Channel Tunnel beneath the English Channel in 1994, British workers chose a Paddington teddy bear as the first item to send to their French counterparts upon linking the two sides of the tunnel. Paddington’s adventures have been translated into 40 languages and have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide, making Paddington one of Great Britain’s most popular exports!

Struck in 8 grams of 92.5% British Sterling silver, your 2018 Great Britain Paddington at Buckingham Palace Silver Proof is from a maximum worldwide limited edition of just 75,000 coins. With the popularity of Paddington in books, television, film and toys, these proofs are sure to be highly coveted by collectors everywhere. Order one for yourself and get more for your children or grandchildren, who, like you, have been captivated by the delightful tales of Paddington Bear!

• ADORABLE BRITISH DESIGN THROUGH AND THROUGH – 2018 marks the 60^th anniversary of Paddington Bear’s first appearance. Created by British author Michael Bond, Paddington was found wearing his famous duffle coat and battered old bush hat at the London train station that bears his name. On this coin, Paddington is depicted in full color waving a flag in front of Buckingham Palace. The scene is from the 1986 book “Paddington at the Palace” where in his futile attempts to see the changing of the guard he gets help from the Queen herself to view the formal ceremony. The coin’s obverse features a portrait of Paddington’s rescuer, Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II.

• STRUCK IN BRITISH STERLING SILVER – These Paddington at Buckingham Palace Silver Proofs are struck in 8 grams of 92.5% British Sterling Silver.

• LEGAL-TENDER COINAGE – Each Silver Paddington coin is 50 Pence legal tender in Great Britain.

• GORGEOUS PROOF CONDITION – Your 2018 Great Britain Paddington at Buckingham Palace Silver Proof will come in gorgeous Proof condition, meaning it was expertly crafted by the mint from hand-selected planchets, polished dies and multiple strikes to produce beautifully frosted details rising over mirror-like fields.

• LIMITED WORLDWIDE EDITION – The British Royal Mint has set the maximum worldwide edition limit for this coin at just 75,000.

When Paddington Bear was found at London’s Paddington Station, a note was pinned to his coat that read, “Please look after this bear.” Now you can look after Paddington with this imaginative silver Proof!