The 2017 Sir Isaac Newton 50p coin has been flagged as potentially valuable due to an error on the obverse side. Only 1.8 million were minted, making it highly collectable. The coin was released to mark the 375th anniversary of Newton's birth, and its popularity led the Royal Mint to offer a 'strike your own' experience.
What to look for
Collectors should examine the Queen Elizabeth II side of the coin. While the reverse design appears normal, some coins show several unusual lines across the monarch's portrait. The Coin Collecting Wizard highlighted this in a TikTok video, explaining that these lines are not scratches but raised whiskers on the surface, likely caused by a die clash during minting.
Market value
These error coins are thought to be extremely rare, with some listed on the secondary market for over 100 times their face value. On eBay, asking prices range from £4.30 to £4,000, though listing prices do not guarantee a sale.
Coin specifications
The 50p coin weighs 8.00 grams, has a diameter of 27.30 mm, and is composed of cupro-nickel. The obverse features the fifth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark, while the reverse, designed by Aaron West, depicts a sun and planetary orbit paths inspired by Newton's Principia Mathematica.
