coin frenzy
New rare 50p coin sparks major bidding war as collector sells 17 with same detail for £1,700 – & even postage is pricey
The 50p has knocked the Kew Gardens coin from the top spot
A BAG of the rarest 50p coins in circulation has been sold for £1,700 in a fierce bidding war.
Coin collectors scrapped over the change decorated with an Atlantic Salmon on one side and the King's portrait on the other.
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The seller even made a pretty penny on the postage, charging £10 for the tiny package.
The unopened plastic bag is how new coins are packaged and delivered to UK banks and post offices.
The Atlantic salmon coin is now the rarest coin in circulation, according to the Royal Mint.
The coin maker, based in Wales, confirmed that just 200,000 of the 50ps were released.
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This has knocked the 2009 Kew Gardens off the top spot, which had 210,000 made.
The famous Kew Gardens design features the site's iconic Chinese Pagoda and displays the years 1759 and 2009.
In the UK, the 50p is the most collectible coin and has had over 100 different designs featured on its "tails" side.
Rebecca Morgan, of the Royal Mint said coin collectors were excited about the new release.
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She said: "2023 marked pivotal changes for the nation’s coinage, including the introduction of coins celebrating King Charles III’s coronation entering circulation.
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"Finding these special designs, like the Atlantic salmon, in your change is a win for all collectors.”
According to Changechecker, the piece, initially worth around £50, has shot up to £150 in the secondary market, with prices expected to rise further.
A Changechecker spokesperson said: "The circulation 2023 Salmon 50p has knocked the legendary Kew Gardens 50p off the top spot, meaning Britain has a new rarest 50p for the first time in 15 years.
"It was announced on October 7, 2024 that just 200,000 2023 Salmon 50ps entered circulation in November 2023.
"Due to it’s incredibly low mintage, just one in 335 people in the UK could have the chance of finding one in their change.
"When the Kew Gardens 50p was first issued in 2009, collectors didn’t initially realise just how rare it would be, and many people who found one in their change parted with it and later kicked themselves.
"Now, 15 years later, the Kew Gardens coin regularly sells for between £150 to £250 on the secondary market, so it’s no surprise that they’re already selling on the secondary market for up to £200.
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