AN ICONIC 50p coin has sold for an astonishing £113.85 on eBay – that’s 226 times its original value.
With thousands still in circulation, it might be worth checking your spare change, the car, or even down the back of the sofa.
The sale, spotted on eBay, saw a heated 14-way bidding war for the sought-after Kew Gardens 50p.
The coin was issued by the Royal Mint in 2009 to mark the 250th anniversary of the famous botanical gardens in west London.
Only around 210,000 were ever made, making it one of Britain’s rarest and most desirable 50p pieces.
One side of the coin features the distinctive Chinese Pagoda at Kew Gardens, while the other bears a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Collectors have been hunting down these coins for years, with experts valuing them at up to £145, meaning the recent seller may have missed out on an even higher price.
The eBay listing was titled: “KEW GARDENS 50P COIN – 2009 – CIRCULATED – RARE COIN 100% ORIGINAL” and started at just £9.99.
After a flurry of bids, the final price shot up to £113.85, plus £5.23 for postage, according to the Express.
Experts say this coin remains one of the most in-demand pieces among UK collectors due to its limited mintage and striking design.
The original release caused huge excitement among numismatists, and values have continued to climb ever since.
A spokesperson for the Royal Mint previously said that the Kew Gardens 50p “is one of the most sought-after coins in circulation and continues to capture the imagination of the British public.”
Since the coin’s release, the Royal Mint has reissued the design as part of commemorative sets, but it’s the original 2009 version that collectors really crave.
The reissued coins, although similar in design, do not carry the same value as the originals.
Many people across the UK have taken to checking their coin jars, wallets and purses in hopes of discovering one.
Social media posts regularly show proud owners sharing pictures of the rare 50p, while others express disbelief at how valuable such a small piece of change can be.
Aquatics Coin
A “Lines Across The Face” 2011 Olympic Aquatics piece fetched a massive £2,606.56 just weeks ago.
It means the coins has sold for more than 5000 times its face value.
The eBay listing had attracted 12 bids before the coin was sold to the highest bidder.
The seller described the item as “still in original cellophane” and in “uncirculated pristine condition”.
The extremely rare piece was one of 29 commemorative coins issued by The Royal Mint to celebrate the 2012 Olympics.
Each of the coins shows a different Olympic sport.
The aquatics coin was meant to feature the image of a swimmer diving head first into a pool.
However, 600 of the aquatics coins issued have lines accidentally etched across the swimmer’s face.
If you find one of these in your spare change, you could fetch more than £305, but examples such as the above show they can sell for hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
What makes a coin rare?
A coin is usually classed as rare if a low number was struck or an error occurred during the manufacturing process.
The 2009 Kew Gardens 50p is valuable because only 210,000 were minted.
The same goes for the Atlantic Salmon, with only 200,000 put into circulation in 2023.
A coin is classed as an “error” piece if something went wrong during the manufacturing process and the coin was struck incorrectly.
These types of coins are few and far between, making them valuable to collectors.
How do I sell a rare coin?
If you spot a rare coin in your spare change, you can sell it on eBay, Facebook or at an auction.
If you’re selling on eBay or Facebook, make sure you post good quality pictures and check other similar coin listings to know how to price yours accurately.
You can also sell at auction, which you can organise with The Royal Mint‘s Collectors Service.
The service has a team of experts who can help you authenticate and value your coin.
