The Royal Mint has unveiled the top ten rarest 50p coins that could be worth a small fortune. Many people may not realise that the coins they have tucked away in their wallets or purses, which are becoming increasingly redundant in our cashless society, could hold significant value.
Some of these rare coins could fetch hundreds of pounds. The seven-sided 50p coin is particularly sought after due to its unique shape and ample surface area for intricate designs.
In fact, the Royal Mint describes the 50p as “the nation’s most collectable coin”, with over 100 different designs gracing its reverse since its inception. Generally, the fewer coins produced – known as the mintage – the more valuable the coin.
Additionally, minting errors can further increase a coin’s value. The rarest 50p coin is the Atlantic Salmon from 2023, with only 200,000 versions created, making it the scarcest coin in circulation.
This coin was part of eight new designs representing flora and fauna from across all four UK nations following King Charles’ accession to the throne. Coming in second place is the Kew Gardens 50p coin from 2009, which held the title of rarest 50p coin between 2009 and 2023 – before being dethroned by the Atlantic Salmon, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Olympic Football 50p coin from 2011, with a mintage of 1,125,000, is the third rarest. This unique piece was designed by sports journalist Neil Wolfson and its design seeks to answer the age-old question since 1863: what is offside?
The other most valuable coins are predominantly from the 2011 Olympics, including the wrestling, football and judo coins, with only about 1.1 million of each produced.
According to the Royal Mint, the top ten rarest 50p coins are as follows:.
1. Atlantic Salmon 2023
In 2023, the Atlantic salmon became the rarest 50p coin in circulation.
Only 200,000 of these coins were released to UK banks and post offices, which is 10,000 less than the 2009 Kew Gardens coin. The coin features the Atlantic Salmon design on the tails side and also bears the King’s portrait.
2. Kew Gardens 2009
The Kew Gardens 50p held its place as the rarest 50p coin in circulation between 2009 and 2023.
The design by Christopher Le Brun depicts the Royal botanical garden with the iconic Chinese pagoda taking centre stage. Many of these coins went straight into private collections, making them even harder to find.
The demand for the 50p denomination was low in 2009, accounting for the unusually low number of 50p coins struck that year.
3. Olympic Football 2011
This unique design attempts to answer the question that has been asked since 1863: what is offside?
The coin was crafted by sports journalist Neil Wolfson, featuring a classic football tactics board to illustrate the offside rule in a simple and understandable manner. Only 1,125,500 of these coins were minted.
4, Olympic Wrestling 2011
The Olympic Wrestling 2011 coin, designed by Roderick Enriquez for the London 2012 collection, captures an intense moment of a wrestler being thrown onto the mat in a modern stadium setting. This wrestling coin is the second rarest in the Olympic collection and remains one of the most sought-after 50p pieces in circulation.
5. Olympic Judo 2011
The Olympic Judo 2011 coin, another detailed piece from the Olympic collection, showcases two athletes mid-throw. Designed by David Cornell, the coin’s dynamic depiction of movement makes it a favourite among collectors.
Only 1,161,500 of these coins were minted.
6. Olympic Triathlon
The Olympic Triathlon 2011 coin, the fourth from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games collection to make the list of the rarest circulating 50p coins, commemorates the triathlon. The design by Sarah Harvey features three figures each representing a different aspect of the triathlon, with lines sweeping across the coin to represent the water and roads used in the competition.
A total of 1,163,500 coins of this design were minted in 2011.
7. Peter Rabbit 2018
Peter Rabbit first made an appearance on coin designs in 2018 as part of the Beatrix Potter collection. The rare Peter Rabbit 50p coin, designed by Emma Noble from The Royal Mint, features the beloved bunny munching on radishes after another close call in Mr. McGregor’s garden.
There are only 1.4 million of these cherished coins in circulation.
8. Flopsy Bunny 2018
In the same year, Flopsy Bunny also graced a coin design for the first and only time. This coin, another creation by Emma Noble, showcases Peter Rabbit’s sister with her signature cape, a familiar sight to all Beatrix Potter enthusiasts.
Like the Peter Rabbit coin, there are just 1.4 million of these in existence.
9. Olympic Tennis 2011
The 2011 Olympic tennis 50p coin, featuring the unmistakable image of a tennis ball flying over a net, was designed by competition winner Tracey Baines, a sculptor and jewellery designer from Peterborough. With Team GB’s Andy Murray clinching Olympic gold in London 2012, this coin holds even more significance.
A total of 1,454,000 coins were minted.
10. Olympic Goalball 2011
Lastly, the Olympic Goalball 2011 coin is one of the rarest circulating 50p coins to date, with 1,615,500 produced. This coin, designed by competition winner Jonathan Wren, depicts the distinctive arc of an athlete mid-throw during the Paralympic Games.