Brits are being urged to check their spare change for three seemingly ordinary 50p coins that could be worth significantly more than their face value. According to an expert, these coins could collectively fetch up to £2,280, but only if they feature specific errors or dates that make them rare.
Expert Reveals Valuable 50p Coins
The Coin Collecting Wizard, a coin expert with over 270,000 online followers, explained exactly what to look out for. He said: “Comment now if you have these coins, they are worth serious money. But make sure you pay attention.”
2017 Benjamin Bunny Rotation Error
First, he highlighted a 2017 50p coin featuring Beatrix Potter's character Benjamin Bunny. While most versions are worth only face value, some have a rotation error that collectors desire. “The 2017 Benjamin Bunny 50p is usually just worth face value unless you have a rare rotation error version,” he said. “The error Benjamin Bunny coin has the Queen's head printed facing the wrong direction. When a coin is flipped over, the Queen's head should be facing to the left, but on a rotation error coin this would be different.” This coin could fetch around £30, approximately 60 times its face value.
2009 Athletics 50p Coin
He then advised followers to watch for another 50p coin minted for the 2012 Olympic Games. The athletics coin features a child's sketch of a high jump athlete. However, the 2009 version is more valuable. “2.2 million of the athletics 50p coin were minted and released into circulation in 2011, but this earlier version was minted in 2009 and is more valuable to collectors,” he said. “If you have this coin dated 2009 then you have found it and can sell for £250 plus.”
Aquatics 50p with Face Lines Error
Finally, the expert pointed to a coin commemorating the 2012 London Olympics, known as the aquatics 50p, featuring a swimmer. It holds extra value only if wavy lines representing water cover the swimmer's face. These lines are exclusive to the earliest 2011 versions, as later versions changed. “If you find an aquatic 50p error coin with lines over the face, it could be worth a small fortune,” he said. “A small handful of this original design was put into circulation, but it was then adapted very quickly to show the face above the water. With so few of the original design out there, it's meant the coin's value has been pushed up significantly.”
