The Eye

Whimsical 2016 British Coins Feature Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit and Homages to Shakespeare

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New 2016 British coin designs include homages to the Bard and Beatrix Potter.

Courtesy of the Royal Mint

The U.K.’s Royal Mint has unveiled its new slate of 2016 coins, designed to offer “a snapshot of Britain over the last 1,000 years,” according to a press release, with themes that focus on “key moments, organisations and people that have shaped the nation today.”

Each coin features the obligatory portrait of the queen, but the flip sides include homages to Shakespeare’s plays and Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit as well as historical events such as the Battle of Hastings and the Great Fire of London.

The flip side of a British 50 pence coin commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter designed by Royal Mint engraver Emma Noble includes an image of Peter Rabbit.

Courtesy of the Royal Mint
Sculptor John Bergdahl designed three 2-pound coins to reflect (from the top) the tragedies, histories, and comedies of Shakespeare.

Images courtesy of the Royal Mint
Sculptor John Bergdahl chose to commemorate the 950th anniversary of the landmark Battle of Hastings on Oct. 14 of this year with a 50 pence coin that depicts the fate of King Harold.

Courtesy of the Royal Mint
Royal Mint graphic designer Aaron West’s 2 pound coin commemorates the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London.

Courtesy of the Royal Mint
A 2 pound British Army–themed coin by graphic designer Tim Sharp commemorates the rise of the Pals Battalions of World War I with a design that recalls the Art Deco styling of the time.

Courtesy of the Royal Mint

The new coins are scheduled to begin circulating in British palms come spring.