Shoppers should check whether their change is correct when hitting the shops in the run-up to Christmas after news some coins could be worth hundreds of pounds over their face value. The Royal Mint has revealed some of the rarest 50p coins in circulation - and in circulation means that they could be coming your way at the tills - or evening lurking in your pocket now.
The Royal Mint is the official maker of British coins. While the monarch's head is a constant image on the currency, coins often feature a commemorative image on the reverse side - the Queen's Jubilee, the Olymipics, even Harry Potter made it on to a 50p to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the best selling J.K. Rowling novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone.
While some of these coins are endearing, they can also be worth hundreds to collectors. Some are understood to be worth up to £650.
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According to the Mirror, some of the rarest 50ps have been listed by the Royal Mint alongside the official mintage and when the rare 50p designs were made. There are more than 200 million 50ps circulating in the UK.
The publication reported that the mintage figure is how many of each designed coin was ever made. If the figure is lower it means less of the coin are in circulation, which makes them rare and more valuable. The most sought-after coin is the Kew Gardens 50p.
So, which 50p design should you be looking out for and which should you definitely not spend at the shops? Below is the Royal Mint's rarest 50p coins along with how much they're currently up for sale at on eBay.
What to look for and what to hold on to
Football - worth £20
- Mintage: 1,125,500
This coin is one of the many minted to commemorate the 2012 Olympics, but this one is the rarest. The 50p Football includes an explanation of the offside rule on it. In August, one sold for £20.
Triathlon - worth £16
- Mintage: 1,163,500
The Triathlon 50p was introduced in 2011 and 1,163,500 in total were made. The Royal Mint circulated unique 50ps depicting the sport featuring in the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London. One of the highest bids found on eBay for the 50p is £16.
Judo - worth £18
- Mintage: 1,161,500
This coin was also minted in 2011 ahead of the 2012 Olympics. David Cornell's design won a competition that saw his creation printed on 1,161,500 50ps. One of the highest bids we've seen on eBay was for £18.
Wrestling - worth £14.50
- Mintage: 1,129,500
This 50p coin was designed by Roderick Enriquez, a graphic designer from Hammersmith, London. It has been seen on eBay for up to £14.50 online.
Kew Gardens - worth £650
- Mintage: 210,000
The Kew Gardens 50p is the rarest of all the 50p coins. In the past, it has sold for thousands and one listing shows one sold in September for £650. It has an incredibly low mintage score of 210,000 and was created by Christopher Le Brun RA. It features the Chinese Pagoda with a leafy chamber that twists around the tower.
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