Brits are being urged to check their wallets, purses, pockets, and anywhere else for rare 50p coins that could be worth thousands of pounds. The seven-sided coins have caught the attention of collectors who say they would pay big money for them. These 50p coins are special because of tiny mintages and unexpected design errors. Here is exactly which coins to look out for and how much they could be worth.
How to Sell Rare Coins Safely
When selling a rare coin, you must use trusted sources such as Change Checker or the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) to verify it. If it checks out, avoid scrubbing it clean with any polish or soap; you risk scratching it and ruining your chances of getting money for it. Keep the coin as you found it.
For valuation, do not look at what people list the coin for on online marketplaces such as eBay; instead, filter your search by “Sold Items” to find out what people actually paid.
The Rarest 50p Coins to Look For
2011 Olympic Football ‘Offside Rule’ 50p – £30
Struck to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games, this coin features a diagram explaining football’s offside rule. It is officially the rarest of the 29 Olympic 50p designs and a favourite for sports lovers and collectors. You will find it selling for between £15 and £30 on auction sites.
2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p – £80+
This recent King Charles III coin has topped the charts as the rarest 50p in circulation. Only 200,000 coins were produced, setting a record for the rarest coin in British history, but only a small number entered circulation, making collectors eager to get them. Individual coins can go for £30 to £80, and one seller recently saw a bidding war reach nearly £900 for a bundle, as reported by The Sun.
2009 Kew Gardens 50p – £250
Before the Atlantic Salmon, this coin held the top spot with only 210,000 created. Its popularity makes finding one even harder, and genuine coins can sell for £140 to £250. Be aware that the Royal Mint reissued the Kew Gardens design in 2019, so only the 2009 version is valuable.
2011 Olympic Aquatics (First Design) 50p – £1,850+
Another of the 29 Olympic coins, the original design showed water crashing over a swimmer’s face. The Royal Mint quickly modified it to make the face clearer, but around 600 of the original coins slipped into circulation. If you find thick water lines running directly over the swimmer’s goggles, that is your moneymaker. Genuine versions have sold at auction for a whopping £1,850.
