“Check your mum’s purse” for this highly sought-after coin, an expert said.
Brits have been told to search through their coins at home after a relatively new 50p piece sold for an impressive £100. The coin in question was dubbed the “rarest” 50p in circulation by the Royal Mint.
According to an expert, we should all be keeping an eye out for the Atlantic salmon 50 pence. This coin was produced in 2023 as part of a new collection in honour of the coronation of King Charles III.
As the name suggests, it features the image of an Atlantic salmon on its reverse (tail side) while King Charles’ portrait is on the obverse (head side). What makes this coin particularly sought after is the fact that only 200,000 of these were ever made.
This makes it the lowest-minted 50p in circulation, just beating the 2009 Kew Gardens coin, of which 210,000 were made. In a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard explained more.
He said: “Rare 50p coin sells for £100 and there are more out there. Did you know this is just a normal 50p coin?
“But wait, in the UK, 50p coins come in loads of different designs. But this, this is the Atlantic salmon 50p and it’s not just any coin.
“It’s already the new definitive 50p. Why is everyone freaking out about a fish on a coin?”
In previous videos the expert had estimated that the coin could sell for around £80 to collectors. He continued: “Well, one of these just sold online for £100. Yep, £100 for a 50p and it’s rare.
“Only 200,000 of these were made. That makes it one of the lowest minted 50p coins ever.”
He then urged people to get checking for this coin in their purses and coin jars. “Coin collectors are literally checking their change for this thing.
“I’ve been checking every 50p I get now, like I’m on Antiques Roadshow. So next time someone gives you 50p in change don’t just chuck it in a jar. It might be worth a hundred quid.
“Check your coins. Check your mum’s purse. Check your Nan’s biscuit tin.”
On its website, the Royal Mint says: “His Majesty King Charles III’s 50p coin has been officially crowned as the rarest 50p in active circulation, following the latest mintage figures published by The Royal Mint.
“The coin depicting the Atlantic Salmon has knocked the highly collectable 2009 Kew Gardens 50p off the top spot for the first time, with just 200,000 released to UK banks and post offices at the end of last year. A total of 210,000 2009 Kew Gardens coins were released into circulation 15 years ago.”
At the time of reporting, a number of these coins could be found on eBay listed at prices from £44.50 to £177.