The 2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p coin is the rarest standard circulating 50p ever issued, with only 200,000 in circulation, and it can be worth up to £80—160 times its face value.
The Rarest 50p Coin
Coin collectors are always on the lookout for hidden gems in their change, and the Atlantic Salmon design, launched to mark King Charles III's love for nature conservation, has become highly desirable. The coin features a portrait of the King by Martin Jennings but lacks a privy mark, making it rarer than other versions.
In a TikTok post, the expert known as @CoinCollectingWizard explained: "You can find this worth £80. About 160 times its face value is the 2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p coin." He added that only the version dated 2023 and lacking the small crown privy mark found in annual sets is truly rare.
Rarity and Value
According to collectors and sale trackers, recent eBay transactions for this coin have fetched £70–£80, with some reports even reaching more depending on condition and demand. The expert clarified: "If yours does not have a Tudor Crown privy mark, it's worth £80, not the version sold in mint sets which is more common and typically worth less."
On October 7, 2024, it was confirmed that only 200,000 of the 2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p coins had entered circulation the previous year, less than half of the original estimated figure. According to ChangeChecker, this means just one in 335 people in the UK could potentially obtain one of these special coins.
Comparison to Other Rare Coins
While the Kew Gardens 50p, with 210,000 in circulation, has long been popular, the Atlantic Salmon coin has become even more desirable. Other rare UK coins include the 1937 Edward VIII Gold Sovereign (£1 million) and the 1703 Queen Anne Vigo Five-Guineas (£845,000).
A previous survey also revealed that 30% of respondents were fortunate enough to discover a 2023 Salmon 50p among their change. However, the Royal Mint's Annual Coin Set, released at the start of each year, includes Atlantic Salmon 50p coins in the 2024 and 2025 sets, but these will not enter circulation and do not have the privy mark on the obverse.
