One of the 50p coins is now considered the rarest in circulation
An expert has urged Brits to look out for two of the UK’s rarest coins still in circulation. These two 50 pence pieces combined could be worth more than £200.
In a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard explained exactly what to look for. Both these coins were made within the last two decades and are still accepted as legal tender, meaning they could very well be sitting in your wallet or coin jar.
However, both have extremely low mintage figures, making them hard to find. He said: “Do you have the two rarest 50ps that can be found in your change?
“Look out for the 2009 Kew Gardens and 2023 Atlantic salmon 50p coins today.” Firstly he explained more about the Kew Gardens coin.
This 50p was minted in 2009 and features an image of the site’s historic Chinese pagoda on its reverse side (tail side). He continued: “If your piggy bank has a Kew Gardens 50p coin, you’re holding a gem.
“The Kew Gardens 50p hit the headlines in February 2014 when it was revealed as the most scarce 50p in circulation. At the peak of the hype surrounding its value, some coins were exchanging hands for hundreds of pounds.”
He explained that a 2019 version of the coin was also created by this was a commemorative issue only and never entered general circulation. “A circulated version of the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p can easily sell for £150 today,” the expert said.
At the time of reporting some examples of this coin were listed online for £279.90 and £260. However, another coin is now known to be the rarest 50p in the UK. In 2024, the Royal Mint confirmed that a 2023 coin had taken its crown.
Known as the Atlantic salmon 50p this coin features a salmon on its reverse side and King Charles III on the obverse. The expert said: “The Royal Mint has now revealed that the Atlantic Salmon 50p that is in active circulation is the rarest 50p out there, with only 200,000 released to UK banks and Post Offices.”
He added: “Released at the end of 2023, the Atlantic Salmon 50p was part of the nation’s tribute to King Charles III’s coronation year. The coin has now officially overtaken the Kew Gardens 50p, which had a mintage of 210,000 when it was introduced in 2009, and now the 2023 Atlantic Salmon 50 p is the most sought after 50p in circulation.
“The coin has already started to gain traction on the likes of eBay and coin groups and the price is skyrocketing.” In a previous video the expert said this coin could sell for as much as £80.
At the time of reporting some examples of this coin were listed on eBay for £99.48 and £50.49.