You might have this ‘valuable’ 50p coin sitting in your pocket and the great thing is that there’s thousands of them in circulation. So do you have this special coin?
This 50p coin could be hiding in your change without you even realising it – and it’s worth hundreds of pounds. UK collectors are constantly urged to check their change for any rare coins in their possession.
It’s no secret the rarest 50p coin in circulation is currently the 2023 Atlantic Salmon, with only 200,000 minted. Released that year to celebrate British wildlife, its rarity is mainly down to the tiny production number. But before the Atlantic Salmon 50p was the 2009 Kew Gardens coin which turned heads among collectors and there’s just 210,000 of these out there in the world.
The Kew Gardens 50p coin was issued in 2009 to mark the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens and it’s extremely famous for its low mintage and high collector value.
It was once the rarest 50p coin in circulation, before the 2023 Atlantic Salmon, but now one expert revealed why it’s still valuable to collectors.
The Coin Collector UK, which boasts 227,300 followers on TikTok, recently shared a video on why it’s still highly desirable.
Writing at the top of the video, it said: “Most valuable 50p. £120-£150.”
Meanwhile the caption read: “The Kew Gardens is the most valuable 50p coin in circulation with a mintage of just 210,000 it’s desirability yields a value of £130+.”
How to find Kew Gardens 50p coin:
Look in your change: Seems like the easiest way to spot a hidden gem, but by checking your change you could end up spotting one of these in your collection.
Coin dealers and online marketplaces: Reputable coin dealers and sites like eBay could be the places to buy them, but make sure it’s authentic and watch out for scams online.
Coin hunts/swaps: Communicate with local coin collecting groups or events where people swap or sell rarer coins.
How to identify a genuine Kew Gardens 50p coin:
Design: Features the Great Pagoda with a vine and the word “Kew” at the base, with “1759” and “2009”.
Queen’s Portrait: The neck of Queen Elizabeth II should align with the ‘P’ in ‘Pence’.
Weight: A real cupronickel coin weighs 8g.
Beware of fakes: There are many fakes out there with incorrect details so just be wary of any scams.
Texture: Expect wear on circulated coins, polished or mirror-like finishes (unless a proof) might be fake.
Mintage: There’s only 210,000 of these in circulation, making them extremely scarce and valuable.
