With a mintage of just 200,000 – this rare 50p is more in demand than the iconic Kew Gardens coin from 2009 – and IT was only released in November 2023
Brits have been urged to check their pockets for this 50 pence piece that has seen its value skyrocket. While many rare coins date back more than 100 years old, the Atlantic Salmon was only released in November 2023.
With a mintage of just 200,000, it has become the rarest 50p in circulation – trumping the famous Kew Gardens 50p from 2009 with 10,000 less coins released to the public. The coin, which shows a salmon on one side and a portrait of King Charles III on the other, was part of eight designs representing flora and fauna from across all four UK nations following the monarch’s accession to the throne.
Just over a year after the coin was released, experts have now valued the coin at a whopping £85. That means it’s spiked in value by a staggering 477 per cent…
Experts over at Change Checker added the Salmon 50p to its eBay Tracker in June 2024, seven months after it was minted. During this time, the online marketplace was only selling the coins for around £15 and under.
“However now that we know just how rare it is, it’s selling for around £85 – that’s a 477 per cent increase on average!” they added. However, most of the 50p Salmon coins that are fetching eye-watering amounts of money contain a little ‘error’.
Want the latest money-saving news and top deals sent straight to your inbox? Sign up to our Money Newsletter
At the time of writing, there is a 50p Salmon coin on eBay at £78.31 with 13 bids, while another listing is selling one for £72, and has seven bids already. Both of these coins are being advertised as ‘no privy’.
“A privy mark is a small symbol or mark that sometimes appears on coins honouring special or historic occasions, such as coronations and jubilees,” explains The Royal Mint. “Some of the 2023 definitive UK coins feature a special privy mark in the shape of a Tudor Crown.”
Remember, a coin is really only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. So, it might be worth not getting into a bidding war just because you think a coin is valuable – even if it doesn’t have the tiny Tudor Crown on display. You can read the Royal Mint’s guide to getting a fair price for a coin here.
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, added: “2023 marked pivotal changes for the nation’s coinage, including the introduction of coins celebrating King Charles III’s coronation entering circulation. Finding these special designs, like the Atlantic Salmon, in your change is a win for all collectors.”
*eBay Tracker takes the last nine sold prices on its site and calculates the median price
Found a coin worth a small fortune? Email liam.gilliver@reachplc.com for a chance to share your story
