Podgy Pig is one of Rupert Bear’s oldest friends: he appeared back when the strip was drawn by its creator, Mary Tourtel. In 2020, for Rupert’s centenary, the Isle of Man gave Podgy a 50p coin of his own, inscribed FIFTY PENCE PODGY PIG.

The coin belongs to a set of five designs: Rupert himself, Bill Badger, Edward Trunk, Algy Pug and Podgy. All the reverses were drawn by artist Matt Tindall, and the obverse carries Jody Clark’s portrait of Elizabeth II. The series was struck by Tower Mint in London.

Rupert first appeared in the Daily Express on 8 November 1920. His stories were created by Herbert and Mary Tourtel, and they are set in Nutwood, an imaginary village in the English countryside where the little bear has a whole circle of animal friends.

The design was also issued in .925 silver and in gold, both in proof quality; this listing is the copper-nickel coin. Without Podgy the «Rupert at 100» set is incomplete, so the coin is needed by anyone collecting the full series or building a group of children’s characters from classic British books.

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.

A collection can grow in any direction, and the VPcoins catalogue has options for each of them.