A rare Royal Mint 50p coin has sold for more than 200 times its face value on eBay.
The coin, listed as a 2009 Kew Gardens piece, drew 13 bids on eBay before selling for £111.90 on November 11.
The listing described the coin as circulated and used, but its authenticity has not been independently verified.
Released by the Royal Mint in 2009, the Kew Gardens design had a circulating mintage of 210,000.
It commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The reverse shows the Great Pagoda surrounded by a vine, while the obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Royal Mint ranks the 2009 Kew Gardens edition as the second rarest 50p by circulating mintage, behind the 2023 Atlantic Salmon.
The Mint says low demand for 50p coins in 2009 contributed to the unusually small number struck that year.
Five Incredibly Rare and Valuable British Coins
What makes a coin valuable?
The 50p piece provides a distinct heptagonal canvas for coin designers.
The 50p measures 27.3mm across and offers space for commemorative artwork.
Rarity and collector demand can affect a coin's market price.
Low mintage figures mean fewer examples of an issue were released into circulation.
Coin condition also plays an important role, with well-preserved specimens usually worth more than worn examples.
Collectors also prize some unusual coin errors, such as the undated 20p.
The way a coin is sold can affect the price realised.
Sellers can use online auctions such as eBay to find a buyer.
Collectors can also seek a professional valuation, though a valuation does not guarantee a sale price.
Royal Mint top 10 rarest 50p coins
Royal Mint mintage figures identify the rarest 50p issues released into circulation:
- Atlantic Salmon (2023), 200,000
- Kew Gardens (2009), 210,000
- Olympic Football (2011), 1,125,500
- Olympic Wrestling (2011), 1,129,500
- Olympic Judo (2011), 1,161,500
- Olympic Triathlon (2011), 1,163,500
- Peter Rabbit (2018), 1,400,000
- Flopsy Bunny (2018), 1,400,000
- Olympic Tennis (2011), 1,454,000
- Olympic Goalball (2011), 1,615,500
The 2023 Atlantic Salmon coin holds the title as the rarest 50p design in circulation.
Collectors can check their loose change for these scarce editions.
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