A 50p coin, once deemed the rarest in UK circulation, sold for £115 on eBay – a remarkable 230 times its face value. The Kew Gardens 50p coin, which you might have in your change, is extremely coveted among collectors.
eBay sale details
The coin was listed on eBay and sold on August 11. The listing described it as "a genuine and rare 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coin from the United Kingdom," noting it features a design related to the Kew Gardens theme, making it a unique addition to any coin collection.
According to the description, the coin is circulated, originates from Great Britain, and holds historical and monetary value for collectors interested in British decimal coins from the era of Queen Elizabeth II.
Kew Gardens 50p significance
The Kew Gardens 50p was struck to commemorate the botanical garden's 250th anniversary in 2009. Designed by Christopher Le Brun, it depicts the iconic Chinese Pagoda at the London landmark, adorned with an ornamental leafy climber weaving around the tower.
Boasting a mintage of 210,000, it has become one of the most sought-after pieces in the coin-collecting community. 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."
According to the Royal Mint, a great number of people have embarked on their coin-collecting journey thanks to the Kew Gardens 50p. The Royal Mint added: "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
The Kew Gardens 50p held the title of the rarest 50p coin in the UK until the Atlantic Salmon 50p coin arrived in 2023. That coin was launched to reflect His Majesty King Charles III's dedication to conservation and the natural world, and it became the first of eight new designs to enter circulation in November 2023.
In a previous TikTok video by the @CoinCollectingWizard, he disclosed the coin is considered one of the scarcest in UK circulation, saying it can "sell for big money" and is worth monitoring in your collection.
If you believe you may possess a rare coin, the first and most important thing you must never do is clean it. Simply handling the coin can rapidly diminish its value, so you should seek guidance from an expert before you take any drastic action.
