The idea of money being worth more than its actual value is strange – but lurking out there in the pockets and purses of the nation are many rare 50ps that could be worth a big pile of cash to the right person – here’s what to look out for.
In theory, a 50p coin is worth what it says on the tin. But in very rare circumstances, this isn’t always the case.
This week, on January 25, the Liverpool Echo reported that rare 50ps had been flogged for more than 1,000 times its original value.
Sold on eBay, the rare coin was picked up by a collector for £650. The coin in question was a special release marking the UK’s exit from the European Union in January 2020, but there are thought to be a huge number just like it still in circulation.
In fact, the Echo reports there are an estimated 10 million Brexit 50ps still knocking around the backs of the nation’s sofas.
The coins, released on January 31, 2020, were designed to celebrate “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” – a message that is even engraved into one side of the cash.
Initially, the coin was going for around £10 to £20, but its price has been steadily rising ever since.
But the Brexit coin isn’t the only rare 50ps out there that is worth more than it claims to be. Read on for all the top coins according to the Royal Mint.
009 KEW GARDEN with 210,000 in circulation
2011 OLYMPIC FOOTBALL with 1,125,500 in circulation
2011 OLYMPIC WRESTLING with 129,500 in circulation
2011 OLYMPIC JUDO with 1,161,500 in circulation
2011 OLYMPIC TRIATHLON with 1,163,500 in circulation
2018 PETER RABBIT with 1,400,000 in circulation
2018 FLOPSY BUNNY with 1,400,000 in circulation
2011 OLYMPIC TENNIS with 1,454,000 in circulation
2011 OLYMPIC GOALBALL with 1,615,500 in circulation
2011 OLYMPIC SHOOTING with 1,656,500 in circulation
The rarest of the bunch is the 2009 Kew Gardens rare 50ps, which has been sitting towards the top of the list for quite some time. It commonly sells for around £150 at the time of writing.
Most of the rarest coins out there are made to celebrate a specific moment in time or a person. Rare coins are only produced for a short period of time, and so naturally they are few in number compared to the average coins in circulation.
Also, over time, coins get damaged or lost and ultimately leave circulation, which only increases the rarity of the ones still standing, driving up their price.
At the end of the day, however, a coin is only worth as much as someone is prepared to pay for it.
This year, new coins marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee are set to enter into circulation. Like the Brexit coin, they will mark a huge moment in British history and could potentially end up being more valuable down the road.
