Brits are being urged to check their change as two rare 50p coins could be worth a small fortune, including the newly released Atlantic Salmon 50p and the iconic Kew Gardens 50p.
Brits are being warned to keep an eye on their spare change as two rare 50p coins could fetch hundreds of pounds if spotted.
The pair of sought-after coins, which include one brand new and one a collector’s classic, could see you pocket up to £230 if you’re lucky enough to find them.
Coin expert The Coin Collecting Wizard took to TikTok to reveal “the top two rarest 50 pence coins you can find in your change,” and both are still legal tender. It comes after Royal Mail made a major delivery rule change from this week for millions of UK homes.
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The rarest of the pair is the Atlantic Salmon 50p, released in 2023 with just 200,000 put into circulation. One side carries the new portrait of King Charles III, while the other shows the salmon design.
But collectors are warned to check carefully. The specialist explained: “You must make sure it is dated 2023 and has no privy mark on the King side of the coin. If you find this 50p, you can easily sell it for around £80.”
The second coin may not be quite as rare, but it’s even more valuable. The Kew Gardens 50p, which was released in 2009, features the famous pagoda and remains the holy grail for many collectors, CornwallLive reports.
“This one is the second rarest 50 pence but actually, quite surprisingly, the most valuable,” the expert continued. “Only 210,000 were made and no matter the condition, you’re looking at around £150.”
Together, the two coins could net you £230 – a tidy return for what could be hiding in your change. The Royal Mint has confirmed both coins’ scarcity.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Mint, saying: “For the first time in 15 years, the highly collectable Kew Gardens 50p loses its top spot as the rarest in circulation with the Atlantic Salmon 50p splashing its way to number one.”
She added that 2023 marked a huge year for collectors, as new coins celebrating King Charles III’s coronation also entered circulation.
In recent years, some rare and unusual coins have sold for eye-watering sums at auction, including special edition 50p pieces featuring designs such as the Olympics, Paddington Bear and Beatrix Potter characters have become hugely popular.
While many of these sell for just a few pounds online, the scarcest editions can go for much more. Experts say mintage numbers are key, meaning the lower the circulation, the higher the value.
So next time you get change in the shop, it could be worth more than you think.