New coins? Mint pulls a rabbit out of the hat: Beatrix Potter, Shakespeare and Great Fire of London

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-designs-mark-figures-events-1-000-years.html



Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit will feature on a new coin issued in 2016.

A series of new designs has been announced by the Royal Mint, celebrating key figures or events from the last 1,000 years.

A 50p coin commemorates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter, whose illustrated animal stories have delighted generations, and portrays her much-loved character Peter Rabbit.

The author's inclusion in the set comes as the Mint and the Bank of England are under pressure to depict more women on coins and bank notes.

Another 50p coin features King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, 950 years ago.

£2 coins commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death in 1616, and the Great Fire of London 350 years ago.

The Mint is also issuing a £2 coin marking the First World War, as part of a five-year programme for the war's centenary.

Director of commemorative coin Anne Jessopp said the coins will start being issued in the spring.

She said: 'It is always exciting to see the new years' designs revealed, commemorating the moments that matter, and revisiting some of the great events and stories from our history.

'The British public should start to see these coins appearing in their change from Spring 2016.

'This year is a special one for The Royal Mint too, with the opening of a Visitor Centre at its South Wales base for the first time in its 1,000 year history.'

Meanwhile, the Mint planned a new six-sided 60p coin for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, but axed the move despite public enthusiasm after consulting Chancellor George Osborne, a Freedom of Information request revealed.

 

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They'll commemorate anything it seems....

 

Reminds me of Canada & Liberia.