The 50p coin in question was released in 2009 to mark 250 years since the opening of Kew Gardens in 1759, with just over 210,000 copies produced by The Royal Mint, which lists it as one of its rarest and most valuable coins.
The coin features the Chinese Pagoda at the Royal Botanic Gardens on the tails side and a portrait of the Queen on the heads side.
The design depicts the pagoda erected by Sir William Chambers in 1762, then the tallest reconstruction of a Chinese building in Europe at nearly 50 metres tall, set within the Royal gardens.
After inspiring a mini bidding war between 24 bidders, the coin sold for £125.08 on eBay this week, selling for around 250 times its face value.
Until recently it was the rarest 50p in circulation, but it has since been overtaken by the Atlantic Salmon 50p coin bearing the King’s portrait.
The Kew Gardens 50p was also reissued in 2019 with an updated portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, making the two versions easy to distinguish.
Royal Mint reveals new 50p coin
A new 50p coin celebrating the speed and elegance of Concorde has been launched by the Royal Mint, marking 50 years since the aircraft’s first commercial flight.
The coin was made in partnership with British Airways and Airbus, and its reverse or “tails” side portrays the aircraft in flight, against a backdrop of a split-flap departure board, with the word Concorde appearing across the centre.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “Concorde represents the very best of British innovation.
“The design perfectly captures Concorde’s grace and power and we’re thrilled to mark this significant anniversary with a coin that honours both the aircraft and the engineers whose genius made supersonic travel a reality.
“It’s a particularly fitting tribute, reflecting the role Concorde engineers played in designing the shape of the UK’s 50p.”
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.
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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
