New Paddington 50p coins to launch and they could be worth up to ten times their face value
COIN collectors are expected to be able to get their paws on two new Paddington Bear 50p coins from tomorrow, and they could be worth up to ten times their face value.
The coins are thought to feature the lovable children's character outside iconic London landmarks, the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral, according to coin expert Coin Hunter.
Royal Mint hasn't confirmed any details yet but coin experts believe the new versions may be available to collectors in brilliant uncirculated, silver proof, and gold proof with prices starting from £10.
And if the coins eventually end up going into general circulation, which means you could find them in your change, then they could be worth up to a fiver.
Colin Bellamy from coin site Coin Hunter told The Sun: "If this coin enters circulation – at that point, as with all new releases, the coin will sell on eBay for up to ten times face value until supply fulfils initial demand and prices fall."
Mr Bellamy reckons the design may feature Paddington Bear in the foreground, facing the front and lifting his hat with the Tower of London's White Tower behind him.
Meanwhile, he thinks the may show Paddington walking and carrying his suitcase.
Last year, marked the 60th anniversary of the first ever Paddington Bear book being published by author Michael Bond.
To commemorate it, two new Paddington 50p coins went into circulation featuring Paddington waving a flag outside Buckingham Palace and Paddington sitting on a suitcase at Paddington train station.
Collectors' versions of the coins are also still available to buy from the Royal Mint costing £10 for the brilliant uncirculated version and £60 for the coloured silver proof.
One of the coins sold for £16,000 after a student found a leaked one in her change before it came out and sold it on eBay.
Meanwhile, The Sun found a circulated one recently sold for £90 on - 180 times its face value - although it only attracted one bid.
But Coin Hunter says average sold prices for uncirculated versions of the coins are about £1.25.
What are the different types of coin?
THESE are the coins you can see from the Royal Mint:
- Circulated - these are the coins you'll see in your shop change.
- Brilliant uncirculated - these coins are a higher standard than circulating and bullion coins. The machines used to strike these coins are polished and finished by hand.
- Proof - these are the highest quality coins produced by the Royal Mint. Machines used to make these are all hand-finished.
- Bullion - these coins are made from gold and silver and are usually used as an investment that aims to retain a certain value over time.
More on coins
Earlier this month, Royal Mint launched a new Tower of London £5 coin that could be worth nearly FOUR times its value.
While earlier this year, a new £5 coin was launched to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth - prices also started from £13.
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