The quest for Britain's most elusive coin is set to continue for years to come, as the Royal Mint confirms the legendary 2010 Kew Gardens £1 piece will remain the nation's undisputed numismatic king until at least 2025.
With a mintage of just 210,000, this botanical beauty is the undisputed champion of UK coinage, its scarcity making it the holy grail for collectors and the public alike. Its value has skyrocketed, with pristine specimens fetching well over £200 on the secondary market—a staggering 20,000% premium on its face value.
The Coin That Launched a Thousand Searches
The coin's design, featuring the iconic Chinese Pagoda within Kew Gardens, was part of a series celebrating London's Royal Botanic Gardens. Its incredibly limited release was due to its placement late in the annual minting schedule, making it an instant rarity upon launch.
This confirmation from the Mint means that for the foreseeable future, checking your change could still yield a life-changing discovery. "It's the one that everyone hopes to find in their pocket," says a coin expert. "Its status is cemented in collecting folklore."
How To Spot Your Fortune
If you're rifling through your spare change, keep an eye out for these key features:
- The Date: Clearly marked 2010 on the reverse.
- The Design: A detailed depiction of the Pagoda and a surrounding vine.
- The Edge Inscription: The Latin phrase 'DECUS ET TUTAMEN' meaning 'An ornament and a safeguard'.
While the new 12-sided £1 coin entered circulation in 2017, the older round pounds remain legal tender, meaning this treasure hunt is very much still active. Your next coffee purchase could literally be worth a hundred times what you pay for it.
So, the next time you get a handful of change, take a closer look. You might just be holding a small piece of history—and a very valuable one at that.
