LONDON — Peter Rabbit on Monday (Feb 29) became the first character from children’s literature to appear on British coinage with author Beatrix Potter’s creation featuring on 50-pence pieces commemorating her birth.

A set of four fully-coloured coins will be released this year for the author’s 150th birthday, with the first to carry an image of Peter Rabbit, her most recognisable creation.

The series will continue later in the year with three other characters from the much-loved Potter books.

“The coins will be available in silver proof featuring a distinctive colour-printed design, bringing Peter and his famous blue jacket to life in vivid detail,” said the Royal Mint.

Plain-metal versions of the 50 pence pieces will appear in general circulation later this year.

The illustrations were recreated by Royal Mint coin designer Emma Noble.

“It is amazing to be given the opportunity to work with such famous and treasured literary characters,” said Noble.

“They are lovely images and the characters are very well known.”

The author, who was played by Rene Zellweger in 2006 film Miss Potter, is best known for “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”, which has sold 45 million copies and been translated into 36 languages.

Potter was born in London in 1866 to wealthy parents, and developed a love of flora and fauna during her childhood, when she was home-schooled by a governess.

She published her own illustrated children’s tale to earn extra income, and was soon snapped up by publisher Frederick Warne.

Using the proceeds form her books, Potter bought a farm in the Lake District countryside in north west England, where she continued to write while also rearing sheep and promoting conservation causes.

She died in 1943, aged 77. AFP