Exact thin loop to spot on 50p sold for 280 times its value – can you find one in your change?
A THIN loop on your 50p could mean it’s worth 280 times its normal value.
The King Charles III 50p features a salmon on one half of the “tails” side, with interconnecting letter Cs on the other half to represent King Charles.
Behind the salmon, a thin loop is etched onto the coin to represent water.
Now, one of these coins has sold for a whopping £142 on eBay.
The sale was completed on October 12, after the listing attracted 12 bids.
It comes as the Sun exclusively revealed this week that the King Charles III 50p, also known as the Atlantic Salmon, had skyrocketed to top position in the list of the UK’s rarest 50p coins still in circulation.
A Changechecker spokesperson said: “The circulation 2023 Salmon 50p has knocked the legendary Kew Gardens 50p off the top spot, meaning Britain has a new rarest 50p for the first time in 15 years.
“It was announced on October 7, 2024 that just 200,000 2023 Salmon 50ps entered circulation in November 2023.
“Due to it’s incredibly low mintage, just one in 335 people in the UK could have the chance of finding one in their change.
“When the Kew Gardens 50p was first issued in 2009, collectors didn’t initially realise just how rare it would be, and many people who found one in their change parted with it and later kicked themselves.
“Now, 15 years later, the Kew Gardens coin regularly sells for between £150 to £250 on the secondary market, so it’s no surprise that they’re already selling on the secondary market for up to £200.
“For many, snagging a Salmon coin could be a second chance at coin-collecting glory.
“In terms of identifying rare coins, we would urge collectors to check mintage figures as well as keep up to date with our Scarcity Index which is updated quarterly.”
As well as the £142, another Atlantic Salmon recently sold on eBay for a huge £164.
The coin entered general circulation at the end of 2023 as part of a new series of coins marking the ascension of King Charles to the throne.
It was struck with a salmon to highlight the fish’s declining population.
Other rare 50ps have also been gaining traction online recently, including a Blue Peter 50p which sold for £216.
Top ten rarest 50p list
The updated top ten now includes:
- 2023 Atlantic Salmon – 200,000 made
- 2009 Kew Gardens – 210,000 minted
- 2011 Olympic Football – 1,125,000 minted
- 2011 Olympic Wrestling – 1,129,500 minted
- 2011 Olympic Judo – 1,161,500 minted
- 2011 Olympic Triathlon – 1,163,500 minted
- 2018 Peter Rabbit – 1,400,000 minted
- 2018 Flopsy Bunny – 1,400,000 minted
- 2011 Olympic Tennis – 1,454,000 minted
- 2011 Olympic Goalball – 1,615,000 minted