Rare coins can fetch big prices among coin collector because of unique errors during production, low mintage numbers or distinct features
What looks like small change could actually be worth a small fortune if you know what to look for.
A rare 50p coin with an imprint of a cartoon boy fetched £200 at auction late last month or 400 times its face value because only 20,000 were minted,
It’s no secret that rare coins can fetch significant sums thanks to unique errors, low mintage numbers, or distinct features.
The money in question was coin designed for the 2012 London Olympics as part of a Blue Peter competition. Its winning design was created by Florence Jackson, a nine-year-old girl from Bristol, in 2009.
Her depiction of a high jumper mid-flight was selected from an impressive 17,000 entries. Coin enthusiasts have long been on the hunt for The Royal Mint’s Olympic 50ps.
Most of these coins were released into circulation in 2011, just before the 2012 Olympic Games in London. There are 29 different designs to collect, each showcasing a different Olympic sport, such as Taekwondo, Wheelchair Rugby, Gymnastics, Cycling, Boxing and Archery.
What makes this specific Blue Peter coin, recently sold at auction, particularly special is its rarity.
While over 2.2 million Blue Peter coins, also known as Athletics 50ps, were issued, the majority were minted in 2011.
These 2011-dated coins, though popular among collectors, typically aren’t worth much more than their face value.
However, the coin that fetched £200 at RWB Auctions depicted a cartoon boy is one of just 20,000 minted in 2009, making it an exceptionally rare find.
Jon White, founder of the auction firm, said: “Collectors love Olympic 50p coins but there are a few rare coins from this collection that they should watch out for.
“One example is the Athletics 50p with a 2009 date. This coin was minted a few years before the rest of the Olympic 50p coins, which were released by The Royal Mint in 2011.
“You will usually find these 2009 Athletic coins in a little card package with a Blue Peter logo on it since the design for the coin was chosen as part of a Blue Peter competition.
“Because these coins are scarce, they have been known to sell for £200 or more.”
The coin was sold on behalf of a private collector on September 25.
Rare coins and valuable notes can be worth tens of thousands of times their face value.
But sometimes it’s just tiny differences which make them so lucrative.
The most valuable coins tend to be ones with low mintage numbers or an error.
Those qualities typically make them valuable to collectors.
Your next step would be to check if your coin is still available to purchase in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality from an official Royal Mint distributor, according to Change Checker.
Certified Brilliant Uncirculated coins have been specially struck to a superior unblemished quality which set them apart from the coins you may find in pockets.
