Do you have a rare 50p piece rattling around in your pocket? The Royal Mint has revealed its rarest 50 pence coins in circulation - including one that sells for more than £600.
The Royal Mint is the government-owned mint that produces all the coins for the United Kingdom - as well as developing currency for more than 60 countries around the world.
It says that decimalisation of currency in the UK in February 1971 inspired thousands of people to become coin collectors - and over the years, the 50 pence has grown to become Britain’s most collectable coin.
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The shape of the coin has made it the ideal canvas for special commemorative designs. More than 70 events, anniversaries and individuals have been celebrated on the 50 pence over the years.
The top ten rarest UK 50p coins
The Royal Mint has released the top ten rarest coins in circulation - alongside the official mintage for each design. The mintage tells you how many were made - so a low mintage means a rare coin.
The famous 2009 Kew Gardens 50p remains the most coveted coin in circulation, with a mintage of just 210,000. It was released to celebrate the 250th anniversary of London’s famous botanical gardens.
As the mintage numbers were so low, many collectors removed the coins from circulation when found. In 2019, a newer, commemorative edition of this coin was released as part of the 50 Years of 50p British Culture Set.
Other rare designs include the 2011 Olympic 50 pence pieces and the highly-collectable Peter Rabbit 2018 coins.
The full list is as follows:
Kew Garden (2009): 210,000 minted
Olympic Football (2011): 1,125,500 minted
Olympic Wrestling (2011): 1,129,500 minted
Olympic Judo (2011): 1,161,500 minted
Olympic Triathlon (2011): 1,163,500 minted
Peter Rabbit (2018): 1,400,000 minted
Flopsy Bunny (2018): 1,400,000 minted
Olympic Tennis (2011): 1,454,000 minted
Olympic Goalball (2011): 1,615,500 minted
Olympic Shooting (2011): 1,656,500 minted
How much is the rarest 50p coin worth?
There is a 2009 Kew Garden 50p for sale on eBay for more than £600. It is in mint condition and comes in a verified display case. Circulated coins out of a display case can go for around £100.
Where can you sell a rare 50p coin?
eBay is thought to be a good way of selling rare coins - though some collectors find it to be over-saturated and there is a wariness around the possibility of purchasing a fake. Otherwise, finding a local collector and offering them your coins for a realistic price might be the way to go.
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