This hero’s name gives away his breed at once: Algy Pug is a pug dog. One of Rupert Bear’s oldest friends, he appeared in the days of the strip’s creator Mary Tourtel, and in 2020 the Isle of Man dedicated a 50p coin to him, inscribed FIFTY PENCE - ALGY PUG.

The coin is part of a five-design set for Rupert’s centenary: besides Algy, it features the bear himself, Bill Badger, Podgy Pig and Edward Trunk. The reverses were drawn by artist Matt Tindall, the obverse carries Jody Clark’s portrait of Elizabeth II, and the coins were struck by Tower Mint.

The Rupert strip began in the Daily Express on 8 November 1920, with text by Herbert Tourtel and drawings by his wife Mary. In 1935 the drawing passed to Alfred Bestall, and the circle of friends from Nutwood village lived on in the Rupert Annual, published every year since 1936.

The design was also issued in .925 silver and in gold, both in proof quality; this listing is the copper-nickel coin. It fills its place in the «Rupert at 100» set and sits well in a thematic group of dogs on coins.

Uncirculated (UNC) condition: the coin has never been in circulation, shows no wear and keeps its original mint lustre; only minor handling marks are possible.

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