Exact four figures to watch for on your 50p to make it worth 120 times more – do you have one?
THESE are the four key digits and the festive design you need to look out for on your 50p coins that make them much more valuable.
You have to look out for certain numbers on the obverse and a unique design on the reverse.
Those who live in a certain region are more likely to have one given its specific area of distribution.
In 1989, a commemorative issue of the silver 50p coin was released on the Isle of Man.
Not only that but the coin was issued within a Christmas card as its unique design was released as part of the celebration of the birth of Christ.
However, the 1989 design has nothing to do with the biblical story.
Instead, it features a traditional electric tram on the Isle of Man.
Shoppers and workers can be seen dotted around the vehicle with the word Christmas written at the top of the coin.
Those who pay close attention can see two children playing in the foreground of the etching.
And right at the bottom of the coin, to the left of the 50 is a tiny cat, adding to the charm and character of the design.
The festive scene is set in Douglas, the capital of the Isle located in the Irish Sea.
Even now, the traditional tram can be seen in Douglas at Christmas time “ferrying bustling Christmas shoppers around the busy streets of Douglas,” according to coin seller Charles Snowden Coins.
Charles Snowden Coins is selling the Electric Tram 1989 coin in the original Christmas Card it was issued in for £69.
On the left-hand side of the card is the following text:
“For unto us, a child is born.
“Wonderful Counsellor the mighty God the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
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.
“Isle of Man Post Office Official FDC Christmas 1989.”
The card is also stamped certifying it and the coin as from the “first day of issue.”
Those who find this coin with 1989 written on the back underneath the bust of Queen Elizabeth II can make a lot of money even without the card.
One sold on eBay on Friday with bids starting at £60, as the seller claimed that it is “very scarce to find ‘1989’ in silver.”
If you find that you do have one of these Isle of Man coins, and you live in the UK, it is best to keep it or sell it on as it is not legal tender anywhere other than the Isle it originated from.
However, due to their similar appearance to UK coins, they can be found in circulation here.
The Sun previously reported on a coin expert who revealed the two rarest 50p coins work up to 390 times their face value.
WHAT’S IT WORTH?
Rare coins and valuable notes can be worth tens of thousands of times their face value.
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.
But remember a coin is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it.
It might be that someone needs your coin to complete their collection.