‘Things are always happening to me. I’m that sort of bear,’ said Paddington Bear in Michael Bond’s first book to feature the character. He was right, for more than sixty years after the publication of ‘A Bear Called Paddington,’ things keep happening to the small stowaway from Darkest Peru. Michael Bond's colourful character has captured hearts and minds for six decades, since first appearing in the October 1958 book 'A Bear called Paddington.' Bond has written over twenty books detailing the bear's adventures with the Brown family, and the stories have more recently been made into a pair of successful films, starring A list actors alongside the captivating little bear.

Part of a series of commemorative coins, this silver proof Fifty Pence features Paddington Bear sat on his iconic brown suitcase at Paddington Station. When he was found, lost, at the station by the Brown family, they cannot pronounce his Peruvian name, so call him Paddington, after the station.

On this collectable Fifty Pence, the bear is depicted in colour, with his charming red hat and blue duffel coat, while the palace exists in outline behind him. It was designed by David Knapton, based on the original illustrations by Peggy Fortnum.

This Paddington Bear Silver Proof fifty pence coin arrives marmalade-free in its original packaging from The Royal Mint, including a smart acrylic display case and colourful box. It is one of 39,482 in this presentation, and has the standard weight of 8.00 grams and diameter of 27.30 millimetres. Struck in .925 sterling silver, this 50p is finished at proof standard, meaning it has a higher definition and quality than circulating coinage.