A Royal Mint 50p coin has sold for 248 times its face value after an intense eBay bidding war. The 2009 Kew Gardens coin was snapped up for £124.08, with bidding starting at just 99p and attracting 15 bids in total.
The coin is one of 210,000 issued in 2009 for general circulation to mark the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens in Richmond, south east London. It features the Chinese Pagoda tower from the botanical gardens, which claims to be the most biodiverse place on Earth, with more than 30,000 plant species.
What the listing said
The eBay listing described the coin as a 'rare collectible' and a 'sought-after item' for coin collectors. It read: "The 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coin, featuring Queen Elizabeth II, is a rare and collectible piece of British decimal coinage."
"The coin was minted in the United Kingdom and holds historical significance as it was issued to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. With a denomination of 50p, this coin is a sought-after item for collectors and numismatists [coin experts], showcasing the intricate design and craftsmanship of British coinage from the Elizabethan era."
How to tell if you have one
The winning bid was placed on Saturday, October 16, with the buyer paying £124.08 plus £3.92 delivery. The coin features a distinctive Chinese Pagoda design, making it easy to spot in your change.
Designer Christopher Lee Brun chose to depict the Chinese Pagoda, which was erected by Sir William Chambers in 1762 and, at nearly 50 metres, was then the tallest reconstruction of a Chinese building in Europe. The 2009 Kew Gardens coin was reissued in 2019, but the newer version uses a different image of Queen Elizabeth II, making the two editions easy to tell apart.
