This special £1 coin was once known as the “rarest in UK change” but one collector has issued a warning over the design which could well be lurking in your change now…
Certain rare coins are certainly worth keeping an eye out for. Whether it’s the Atlantic Salmon 50p or the famous Kew Gardens coin, Brits are constantly urged to check their change for hidden gems.
Now a £1 which was once considered as the “rarest in UK change” is turning heads on social media. Instagram user @CoinCollectingWizard, who boasts just under 37,000 followers, revealed the Bee £1 coin first entered circulation with just 170,000 coins. It was one of the “hardest £1 coins” to find in your stash and the kind collectors would “go mad for”. Speaking in a recent post, he said: “Bee £1 coin – super rare… or is it?
“Not long ago this was being called the rarest £1 coin in your change. Here’s why: When it first appeared, only around 170,000 were in circulation. That made it genuinely scarce and one of the hardest £1 coins to find. Collectors went mad for it.”
The collector revealed the Royal Mint then released around 8million more into circulation and in just one night, the rarity had gone with values “dropping fast”.
Now the Bee £1 coins are just face value and no longer rare at all.
He concluded: “This is the perfect example of why mintage matters – and why viral posts claiming ‘worth thousands’ can’t always be trusted. Did you ever find one when it really was rare?”
When these coins were first issued, they were selling for around £12.90 for standard ones on eBay, although an error coin did flog for much higher, even hitting the £30,000 mark for unique listings.
Now with more in circulation, there’s no reason for these coins to be worth more than face value, unless you find a version with an error.
The coins were released by the Royal Mint in 2023 as part of a series celebrating UK wildlife and nature, bearing King Charles III’s portrait on the obverse, and highlighting pollinator importance.
It was also struck with 2025 dates when more of these were added into circulation this year.
How to find £1 Bee coin in your change:
Check your change: The most important thing is to make sure you look in your change for these 12-sided coins.
The internet: Is already a great place for many things but online marketplaces like eBay UK or specialised coin dealers for uncirculated versions.
