CHECK YOUR CHANGE
Ultra-rare 50p coin with 8-storey tower sketch sells for 300 times its value – could you have one in your change?
The coin has proven popular among collectors
AN ULTRA-RARE 50p coin has sold for nearly 300 times its face value.
The commemorative Kew Gardens coin, which was minted in 2009, marks 250 years since the botanical gardens opened in 1759.
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Only 210,000 were minted when the coin entered circulation, making it one of the rarest out there.
Because of this, some have been known to sell for around £700 on eBay.
Recently, one coin sold for £142.05, plus £2 delivery, to a buyer on the online marketplace.
The listing had 42 bids before it was sold on November 1.
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While another sold for £320 with 40 bids on October 13.
The Kew Gardens 50p features an image of the famous London landmark, with an image of the Chinese Pagoda that tourists visit at the city attraction - it was made to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the venue.
It always appears in Change Checker's, latest scarcity index and it's also one of the top ten rarest coins overall in circulation according to the Royal Mint too.
Bidders know it's in high demand and low quantity globally, so they're more likely to want a version of their own and pay more while they're at it.
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How to sell a rare coin
If, after checking, you realise you've come across a rare coin, there's a number of ways you can sell it.
You can sell it on eBay, through Facebook, or in an auction.
The 20p Coin you should check for
But be wary of the risks.
For example, there are a number of scams targeting sellers on Facebook.
Crooks will say they're planning to buy the item and ask for money upfront for a courier they'll be sending around.
But it's all a ruse to get you to send free cash to them - and they never have any intention of picking your item up.
It's always best to meet in person when buying or selling on Facebook Marketplace.
Ensure it's a public meeting spot that's in a well-lit area.
Avoid payment links and log in directly through the payment method's website.
Most sellers prefer to deal with cash directly when meeting to ensure it's legitimate.
The safest way to sell a rare coin is more than likely at auction.
You can organise this with The Royal Mint's Collectors Service. It has a team of experts who can help you authenticate and value your coin.
You can get in touch via email and a member of the valuation team will get back to you.
You will be charged for the service, though - the cost varies depending on the size of your collection.
Meanwhile, you can sell rare coins on eBay.
But take into account that if you manage to sell your item then eBay will charge you 10% of the money you made - this includes postage and packaging.
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Always keep proof of postage to protect yourself from dodgy buyers who may claim they never received the item.
Send the parcel by tracked delivery if you can as this way they can't claim it never arrived.
How to check if a coin is rare
IT's time to check the loose change in your wallet and your pockets for rare coins.
But how exactly do you spot one? The Sun's senior consumer reporter Olivia Marshall explains.
In most cases, a coin is rare if it has a low mintage figure - which is set by The Royal Mint.
The mintage figure relates to how many of the coins were made, so the fewer there are of them, the rarer they are.
You can find out what coins are rare and how they look on The Royal Mint's website.
Your next step after this is seeing if the same coin is still available to buy in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality from an official Royal Mint distributor, according to Change Checker.
These coins have been specially made to a superior quality which differentiates them from other coins you might find in your pocket.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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