The smallest car in the world.

More information

The smallest car in the world.

So here we have the Manx pence, nominal – 50. The year of issue of this coin is 1980, mint: British Pobjoy Mint, Tedward, England. Total circulation – 30.000.

The Peel P50 is a three-wheeled microcar originally made from 1962 to 1965 by the Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man, and then from 2011 to present. It was listed in the 2010 Guinness World Records as the smallest production car ever made. The original model has no reverse gear, but a handle at the rear allows the very lightweight car to be maneuvered physically when required.

Designed as a city car, it was advertised in the 1960s as capable of seating "one adult and a shopping bag". The vehicle's only door was on its left side and equipment included a single windscreen wiper and one headlight.

The 1963 model retailed for £199 when new (about £6,600 in today, or US$8,500). The company produced 50 P50s, of which 27 are known to still exist, one of which was sold for a record US$176,000 at a Sotheby's auction in March 2016.

Object data

Title

The smallest car in the world.

Artist

Obverse: Arnold Machin.

Founder

British Pobjoy Mint, Tedward, England.

Date

1980.

Culture

Isle of Man.

Medium

Copper-nickel.

Dimensions

13.5x30x2.45.

Classification

Coin.