Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Kate Lally

Rare 50p coin sells for £234 after online bidding war

A rare 50p coin has sold for a staggering 468 times its face value after sparking a bidding war online.

Many coins are worth more than their original value, with collectors all too keen to snap them up. Particularly rare ones can often sell for thousands of pounds.

One 50p coin is estimated to be worth around £140, meaning an eBay seller got a lot more than theirs was worth earlier this month.

READ MORE: Merseyside areas that have won big on the Postcode Lottery

The coin was released in 2009 to mark 250 years since Kew Gardens opened in 1759 and the Royal Mint estimate around 210,000 were made. It features the famous Chinese Pagoda at the Royal Botanic Garden on the tails side with the Queen's face as normal on the other.

According to its online listing, the "Rare 100% Genuine 2009 Kew Gardens 50p Coin In Excellent Circulated Condition" had a starting price of 99p. But after a 26-way bidding war quickly ensued, the price quickly jumped up to a huge £234, plus £7.95 express delivery.

With this in mind, it could be well worth checking your loose change, as well as in pockets and down the couch, to see if you have a Kew Gardens 50p.

The Kew Gardens 50p (Royal Mint/PA Wire)

However if you do, the first thing you should do is check the date on it. This is because the Royal Mint reissued a batch of the coins in 2019 to celebrate 50 years of the 50p, and this version doesn’t tend to sell for as much.

But you could still be in for an exciting payday if you find one of these, as they can sell for between £70 and £80 on eBay.

Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here

READ NEXT:

Doctor 'bowed her head' as she read baby's test results to parents

Additional help for people struggling to pay energy bills

ITV The Chase contestant dies after appearing on show

Miller and Carter's strict dress code sees man turned away

New Look's 'incredible' £36 dress that's 'perfect for a spring wedding'

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.