A RARE 50p coin has sold for more than 60 times its face value on eBay and you may well have one in your wallet.
The collectable 50p coin is stamped with an eye-catching Pride design and went for £31 online.
2
2
The coin, which comes with a 2022 date on the tail side when it was first struck, never entered general circulation – making it all the more rare.
It was released by the Royal Mint to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the UK Pride movement – the first time the UK’s LGBTQ+ community has been recognised on an official coin.
East London artist and activist Dominique Holmes was the mastermind behind the coin’s dazzling design.
The bold design includes the iconic rainbow-coloured Pride flag and is inscribed with Pride in London’s values of protest, visibility, unity, and equality.
The 50p coins were available to buy in summer 2022 in a range of metals but were never circulated.
Three years later the value of the coins has skyrocketed with one going for a whopping £31 in February.
Another was sold for £29.11 in March.
The coloured Pride coins are also available to buy on Amazon for £9.99.
So be sure to check your wallet as you could be in with a chance of scoring some cash.
How to spot a rare coin
A coin is usually classed as rare due to two factors – how many of it were struck or if it is an “error” coin.
For example, the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p is considered valuable because only 210,000 were minted and put into circulation.
The same goes for the Atlantic Salmon, with only 200,000 having been 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 fewer and far between than those with lower mintage figures, which can make them super valuable.
For example, the HG Wells £2 error coin has been known to sell for up to £1,000 in the past.
Bronze 20p coins have been known to sell for up to £750 as well while error £1 coins have been known to go for thousands.
How to sell a rare coin
You’ve got three main options: in auction, on eBay or on Facebook Marketplace.
The safest way to sell a rare coin is more than likely at auction. You can organise this with The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service.
It has a team of experts who can help you authenticate and value your coin.
You can get in touch via email and a member of the valuation team will get back to you.
You will be charged for the service though – the cost varies depending on the size of your collection.
You can also sell your coin on eBay but make sure you list the price accurately.
This can be done by checking how much other sellers have sold the same piece for.
It’s pointless listing a rare 50p for £100 if people have only been willing to pay £50 for it previously, for example.
Finally, you can sell on Facebook Marketplace, but be wary of scammers trying to get you to transfer money to dodgy accounts.
It can be easier to meet buyers in person and get cash for your coin, but only in daylight and in a public place.
In any case, if you’re selling on eBay or Facebook, decent pictures will help the coin sell for the best price.
How do I safely store valuable coins?
HERE are some tricks to keep your valuable coins safe from toning:
- Store your coins in individual containers
- Put it in a clear, air tight holder that lets you see the coin from both sides
- Avoid putting them in clear plastic sandwich bags because they can still rub against each other an may cause scratches or marks
- Store your collection in a folder or album, although tarnishing may occur quicker than in an airtight container
- Keep them out of a damp environment. You can use silica gel to help prevent damp
- Wear clean, white gloves when handling the coins
- Steer clear of using PVC materials as it traps moisture and releases acidic gases which can damage the collection.
