The coin needs to be from a specific date to be especially valuable
An expert has urged Brits to look out for a rare 50p coin that could be worth as much as £40,000. However, this piece needs to feature one of two specific dates to be especially valuable.
Known as the “Brexit” coin, this 50 pence piece was minted to commemorate the date that the UK left the EU. This occurred on January 31, 2020.
But, interestingly, a number of these coins were produced with what is now an incorrect date as it had been planned that Brexit would take place the previous year. Therefore, the specific dates you want to find are March 29, 2019, or October 31, 2019.
In a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard explained more. He said: “So let’s start from the beginning.
“This coin is the Brexit 50p from 2020 and as you can see it clearly has the Brexit date at the bottom of the coin. But did you know there is another date out there on this 50 pence and only a few have ever been found?
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“If you find the Brexit 50p coin in your change, which is most likely as millions were minted for circulation, then all you need to do is check the date at the bottom of the coin. If your date says 31st January 2020, then this is just the regular common version worth 50 pence, but if you are super lucky and find one with a date other than 2020, such as this one from October 2019, then you have just found a super rare error coin.”
He added: “And yes it has been known to sell for £40,000. Just be sure you know what you are looking for any date other than 2020 and you have hit the jackpot.”
The reverse side of the coin (also known as the tail side) is easy to spot and features the phrase “peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations”. On its obverse side (head side) you will see the image of Queen Elizabeth II.
It is thought around 1,000 of the March Brexit coins were minted, although most of these were melted down. But approximately one million of the October coins were produced.
The majority of these were also melted down when Brexit was delayed again but two surviving coins have since been found.
Experts at The Westminster Collection commented: “While the 31st January 2020 Brexit 50p is an important historical coin, its mintage of over 10 million means it is not particularly rare. In contrast, the 31st October 2019 Brexit 50ps are some of the rarest modern UK coins, with just two known examples in existence—and an estimated value of over £40,000 each, according to numismatic specialists at Spink and Son auction house.”
They added: “With only two known examples of the ultra-rare 31st October 2019 Brexit 50p discovered so far, it raises the thrilling possibility that more could be waiting to be found. Collectors are being urged to check their change – you might just strike gold!”