A 50p coin has sold for £115 on eBay, a staggering 230 times its face value, and you could have one in your pocket. The coin in question is the Kew Gardens 50p, highly desirable among collectors and considered one of the rarest in UK circulation.
The eBay Sale
The eBay listing, which ended on August 11, saw one lucky seller bag a huge profit. The description read: "The product is a genuine and rare 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coin from the United Kingdom. This collectible coin features a specific design related to the Kew Gardens theme, making it a unique addition to any coin collection. With no certification but originating from Great Britain, this circulated coin holds historical and monetary value for collectors interested in British decimal coins from the era of Queen Elizabeth II."
In a previous TikTok video by @CoinCollectingWizard, the coin was revealed to "sell for big money" and is certainly worth keeping tabs on in your collection.
About the Kew Gardens 50p
The Kew Gardens 50p was introduced to celebrate the botanical garden's 250th anniversary in 2009. Created by Christopher Le Brun, it features the famous Chinese Pagoda at the London venue with a decorative leafy climber twining in and around the tower.
According to the Royal Mint, many people would start their journey into coin collecting because of the Kew Gardens 50p. It boasts a mintage of 210,000 and has become one of the most talked about pieces in the coin-collecting community over the last few decades.
The Royal Mint said: "Demand for 50p coins was not high when the coin was released into circulation, which explains the low mintage of the piece. There have been reports of circulating and commemorative editions of this coin selling for much more than its face value, which has only increased its appeal to collectors."
Rarity and Advice
It was the rarest 50p coin in the UK until the arrival of the Atlantic Salmon 50p coin in 2023. This was introduced to highlight His Majesty King Charles III's passion for conservation and the natural world. In November 2023, the Atlantic Salmon became the first of these eight new designs to enter circulation.
If you suspect you own a rare coin, the first and most crucial thing you must never do is clean it. By touching the coin, it can quickly lower its value, so you should seek advice from a professional before you do anything drastic.
