A rare 50p coin has sold for £123 on eBay. The Atlantic Salmon coin was first released by The Royal Mint at the end of 2023, and only 200,000 coins were ever produced. One of the rare coins has now been purchased at auction for over 200 times its initial value.
The rarest 50p in circulation
The 50p is the most collectable coin in the UK, with over 100 different designs produced since its introduction. These include special designs for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games and milestone Royal occasions such as the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
Last year, The Royal Mint announced King Charles III's Atlantic Salmon 50p coin was the rarest 50p in active circulation. Its unique design celebrates British wildlife and the accession of King Charles III.
The Atlantic Salmon 50p coin knocked the highly collectable 2009 Kew Gardens 50p off the top spot for the first time in 2023.
Collector's win
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coins at The Royal Mint, said: "For the first time in 15 years, the highly collectable Kew Gardens 50p loses its top spot as the rarest in circulation with the Atlantic Salmon 50p splashing its way to number one.
"2023 marked pivotal changes for the nation's coinage, including the introduction of coins celebrating King Charles III's coronation entering circulation. Finding these special designs, like the Atlantic Salmon, in your change is a win for all collectors."
Now, one lucky buyer has managed to purchase the rare 50p coin for £123 after an online auction on eBay. People choose to bid on rare coins like this for a variety of reasons, whether it be for financial investment or a personal hobby.
Top 10 rarest 50p coins
The Royal Mint recently released a list of the 10 rarest 50p coins in circulation:
- Atlantic Salmon 2023. Mintage 200,000
- Kew Gardens 2009. Mintage 210,000
- Olympic Football 2011. Mintage 1,125,500
- Olympic Wrestling 2011. Mintage 1,129,500
- Olympic Judo 2011. Mintage 1,161,500
- Olympic Triathlon 2011. Mintage 1,163,500
- Peter Rabbit 2018. Mintage 1,400,000
- Flopsy Bunny 2018. Mintage 1,400,000
- Olympic Tennis 2011. Mintage 1,454,000
- Olympic Goalball 2011. Mintage 1,615,500
Earlier this year, the first 10p coins with King Charles III portrait entered circulation. Since the introduction of His Majesty's portrait on UK coinage in 2022, collectors had been eagerly waiting for the coins bearing the new royal portrait.
The new 10p coins feature the Capercaillie on the reverse (tails) to highlight one of the UK's most endangered birds. The Capercaillie population has declined so rapidly that it is now at very real risk of extinction in the UK for a second time and is listed as a "Red List" species. The design is part of His Majesty's Definitive collection, inspired by the flora and fauna of the British Isles and highlighting King Charles III's passion for conservation. The coins are available through post offices and bank branches nationwide.
