A rare 50p coin is turning heads after selling for more than 300 times its face value at auction.
The Blue Peter 50p, designed by competition winner Florence Jackson to mark the London 2012 Olympics, was released in 2009 but never officially entered circulation.
Around 20,000 were minted, originally sold for £1.09 each, but some have since entered everyday use.
One recently sold for £286 on eBay, while this coin fetched £152 on eBay after attracting eight bids.
The coin features an athlete performing a high jump.
Five Incredibly Rare and Valuable British Coins
What makes a coin valuable?
The 50 pence piece has become the most valued and collected coin in the UK, with many collectable designs appearing on its heptagonal canvas.
Its 27.5mm diameter makes it the largest of any British coin, and allows space for decorative pictures. It has often been used to celebrate big events over the past 50 years of British history.
Recommended Reading:
- Martin Lewis issues Christmas warning and flags the gift you should think twice about
- Calls to cut fuel duty by 10p until Christmas to ease cost of living pressures
- Check your shelves as book bought for just 37p valued at more than £64,000
The rarest coins tend to be of the greatest value, with the mintage (number of coins with each design made) being the fundamental attraction for collectors.
Along with the design, other aspects of the coin which increase value are the condition of the coin and whether it has an error in its design.
The way in which it is sold can also determine the coin’s value - while some coin collectors will bid vast amounts of money on eBay or at auction, others opt for more robust valuations by selling via a coin dealer.
Royal Mint top 10 most valuable 50p coins
Here is a list of the top 10 most valuable coins, when they were made and how many were minted:
- Atlantic Salmon (2023), 200,000
- Kew Gardens (2009), 210,000
- Olympic Wrestling (2011), 1,129,500
- Olympic Football (2011), 1,161,500
- 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
Share