The 50 most rare and valuable coins since decimalisation 50 years ago – and one sold for £700
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
IT was the biggest change in British life for a thousand years. Half a century ago today, the UK scrapped LSD - pounds shillings and pence - and went decimal.
On Monday February 15, 1971, all prices were in a new-fangled currency, pounds and pence.
The Sun newspaper cost just two and a half pence and a packet of 20 fags set you back 25p and pint of lager was 12p.
All UK banks had closed for the previous four days so staff could prepare ahead of D-Day and for cheques in "old money" to clear.
More than 340,000 shop tills had been converted.
The set up a new factory to make 3.4billion new coins, including the halfpenny –which became known as the tiddler - one pence and the 2p.
Fifty pence, 10p and five pence coins were already in circulation. Today, despite the pandemic, nearly 30billion coins are now in circulation.
Here are 50 of the rarest decimal coins out there that could make you money if you find them in your change.
50p coins
Launched in 2009 to celebrate 250 years since London's Kew Gardens opened, The Royal Mint re-issued the coins last year but only the older ones go for the big money.
The Kew Garden coin features a pagoda from the famous botanical gardens in south west London.
This 50p from 1997 is being offered for sale for around £300 in mint condition – but can you can find them for as little as a tenner.
Britannia was on the face of the 50p coin until 2008, when the decision was made to remove her from the coin.
The second rarest and most collectible 50p. One of the most talked about because its design was actually a diagram explaining the off-side rule.
Launched in 2011, only 1,125,500 of the Olympic football 50p coins were made.
Around 1,129,500 wrestling 50p coins were minted - typically worth up to £15, though some are on sale for £400.
The Wrestling 50p was designed by graphic designer Roderick Enriquez.
Clare Maclennan, divisional director for commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, says: “The Royal Mint made decimalisation happened 50 years ago - introducing the coins we use and collect today.
“We’re celebrating with a special ‘Decimal Day’ 50p featuring ‘old money’ as well launching ‘memory boxes’ for care homes - helping people with dementia recall their memories of ‘the changeover’”
Your wallet is probably full of 2p pieces - but it might be worth checking your change as some of these coins could be worth hundreds of pounds.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Earlier this month, the Royal Mint has revealed the rarest 50p coins in circulation worth up to £707.
The Royal Mint is also flogging an "incredibly rare" 500-year old Tudor coin in a digital auction - and the starting price is £950,000.
BREAKDOWN
WHEN Britain switched to decimal currency 50 years ago today shoppers – who spent an average £2.31 a week on food - feared that unscrupulous traders would use it as an excuse to put up prices.
Here are the eye-wateringly low prices we paid for essentials on Decimal Day in 1971:
- Mars Bar 4p
- Golden Wonder crisps 3p
- Pint of lager 12p
- Pint of Whitbread beer 16p
- Bottle of whisky £2.69
- Large white loaf 10p
- Pint of milk 6p
- Can of Coke 5 1/2p
- 1/2lb butter 11 1/2p
- 8oz Nescafe coffee 47 1/2p
- 1 doz large eggs 25p
- 20 cigarettes 25p
- Gallon of petrol 34p
- Cinema ticket 90p
- TV licence £ 11.10
- 24” black & white TV£ 69.00
- Ford Escort £799
- Average house £5,578
- Council rent, weekly £5
- Average weekly wage £30.98
- Weekly State pension £ 6.00
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk