A 50p coin with a clever and quirky design has just sold for £17.30 — an incredible 34 times its face value.
The rare piece sparked a bidding war, racking up 19 bids before selling on eBay.
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While it may look like an ordinary coin at first glance, a closer inspection reveals a unique feature that’s got collectors scrambling to get their hands on it.
The coin, minted in 2011, is part of the limited-edition Royal Mint series released to celebrate the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Its design playfully explains one of football’s most confusing rules — the offside rule — with a sketch of a player mid-action and the words “Offside Rule” written underneath.
The seller, who listed it under the Elizabeth II (1952–2022) era category, wrote: “This 50p coin was issued in 2011 as part of the series commemorating the 2011 Olympic Games.
“The design features a football player in action, with the words ‘Offside Rule’ written underneath.
“The coin was minted in the United Kingdom and is part of the Elizabeth II (1952–2022) era.”
WHAT MAKES A COIN RARE
Some 50p coins can fetch serious cash due to limited circulation, minting errors, or unique designs.
One of the most prized coins among collectors is the Kew Gardens 50p, which has been known to sell for up to £950 due to its ultra-low mintage of just 210,000.
Then there’s the Blue Peter Olympic 50p, originally designed in 2009 by nine-year-old Florence Jackson.
Only 20,000 of those were minted that year — one of which sold for £320 earlier this year.
Errors are another factor that ramps up a coin’s value.
The Aquatics Olympic 50p is a standout example, with a misprint showing waves across a swimmer’s face fetching up to £2,000 at auction.
Even without an error, coins with low mintage numbers are sought after.
As a general rule, the fewer coins minted, the more desirable they become to collectors.
HOW TO SELL A RARE COIN
If you think you’re sitting on a small fortune, there are several ways to cash in.
You can sell your coin online using platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or trading apps — just beware of scammers.
On Facebook, always meet in a safe place and avoid courier scams asking for money upfront.
For those looking for a more secure route, you can sell through The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service, where experts can authenticate and value your coin.
Just be aware there’s usually a charge for this service.
What are the most rare and valuable coins?
Alternatively, online auction sites remain a popular option — just remember that on platforms like eBay, a high listing price doesn’t always mean a sale has gone through.
It’s best to check completed listings to see what similar coins have actually sold for.
And if you’re buying? Make sure you’re clued up to avoid being duped.
Always double-check authenticity and know exactly what you’re getting.
Meanwhile, we have put together a guide on the rarest and most valuable coins.
We also tell you what you should do if you find a lucky penny in your pocket.
