Exact ‘tower’ sketch that could skyrocket value of your 50p – as rare coin sells for 300 times its value in bidding war
A TOWER sketch on your 50p could mean it’s worth 300 times it’s normal value.
The Kew Gardens 50p features a tall tower with leaves wrapped around and was circulated in 2009.
One of the ultra-rare coins has sold on eBay for an unbelievable £150.
The coin launched a bidding war, with 10 attempts made to nab the incredible design.
And what’s more, there was no cost for delivery.
The coin sold for 300 times its value on 26 October.
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.
A Changechecker spokesperson said: “Now, 15 years later, the Kew Gardens coin regularly sells for between £150 to £250 on the secondary market.
“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.”
Other rare 50ps have also been gaining traction online recently, including a Blue Peter 50p which sold for £216.
CHECK IF YOU HAVE A RARE COIN
Rare coins and valuable notes can be worth tens of thousands of times their face value.
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
But sometimes it’s just tiny differences which make them so lucrative.
The most valuable coins tend to be ones with low mintage numbers or an error.
Those qualities typically make them valuable to collectors.
Your next step would be to check if your coin is still available to purchase in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality from an official Royal Mint distributor, according to Change Checker.
Certified Brilliant Uncirculated coins have been specially struck to a superior unblemished quality which set them apart from the coins you may find in pockets.
How do I safely store valuable coins?
HERE are some tricks to keep your valuable coins safe from toning:
- Store your coins in individual containers
- Put it in a clear, air tight holder that lets you see the coin from both sides
- Avoid putting them in clear plastic sandwich bags because they can still rub against each other an may cause scratches or marks
- Store your collection in a folder or album, although tarnishing may occur quicker than in an airtight container
- Keep them out of a damp environment. You can use silica gel to help prevent damp
- Wear clean, white gloves when handling the coins
- Steer clear of using PVC materials as it traps moisture and releases acidic gases which can damage the collection.
SELLING YOUR RARE COINS
There are many different factors to consider when trying to value a coin, including its condition and mintage, so it’s important to do your homework first.
If you’ve got a coin that you would like to sell at auction, you can contact The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service.
It has a team of experts who can help you to authenticate and value your coin.
You’ll need to enquire via email, and a member of the valuation team will contact get back to you.
Take a picture of your coin and attach this to the email – you can find the details on The Royal Mint’s website.
Be aware that you will be charged for this service though – the cost will vary depending on the size of your collection.
If you are looking to buy a coin online through a marketplace such as eBay, it’s important to know exactly what you are purchasing.
This is because anyone can list a coin on eBay and charge whatever amount they wish.
You should also be wary of fakes online – and keep in mind that on eBay a buyer could pull out, which means the coin won’t have sold for the price it says it has.
Meanwhile, we have put together a guide on the rarest and most valuable coins.
We also tell you what you should do if you find a lucky penny in your pocket.
What are the most rare and valuable coins?
- Five rarest coins – do you have one?
- The 13 most valuable £2 coins in circulation
- How valuable are the rarest £1 coins?
- Most rare and valuable 50p coins in circulation
- Rare and most valuable 20p coins that could be worth up to £750
- Rarest 10p coins in circulation
- Rare 2p coins revealed
- How to check if you have a rare and valuable banknote