All UK collectors have been informed of a 50p coin which has been listed for £300,000. The piece features the late Queen Elizabeth wearing a necklace and released in 1997
You could be sitting on a fortune if specific rare coins wind up in your change. Collectors are constantly urged to check their change for any hidden gems which could be worth significantly more than face value.
Now it can be exciting seeing how much coins are being listed for online, but one expert issued an urgent warning over a common 50p coin featuring Queen Elizabeth II. The coin has the late royal wearing a necklace and it was released into UK circulation all the way back in 1997 with a whopping 456million minted. But before you get too excited, it’s not what you think.
According to expert @CoinCollectingWizard, who boasts 37,100 Instagram followers, people are going “crazy” for this piece.
He said in a video: “£300,000 for a Queen Elizabeth 50p with a necklace, have you heard about this? Omg have you seen this?
“A Queen Elizabeth 50p with a necklace, people are going crazy thinking it’s rare and worth loads of money. But let me tell you the truth…”
In the clip, the expert claimed this is one of the “most common coins you can find in your change”. It’s so likely to end up in your change, simply because there’s 456million of them in circulation.
He continued: “Yes you heard that right. This is just a regular 50p coin, the necklace people are talking about, that’s actually part of the design.
“People are trying to sell these online for crazy prices and I get messages daily from people asking about this necklace coin. But don’t be fooled – it’s just a normal 50p worth well 50p.”
Speaking about which coins are worth fussing over, he claimed the Kew Gardens 50p or any error pieces.
How to find a rare coin:
Check your pockets: Seems like the easiest thing to do but looking at your change could help you find some hidden gems.
Examine older collections: Ask relatives for their old coin collections or look for old pennies and you might just strike gold.
Use a metal detector: If metal detecting is a passion of yours, great. Grab your tool and start scanning areas likely to have coins.
Visit deals or auctions: Check “bargain bins” at coin shows or antique shops for undervalued items.
What to do if you find a rare coin:
Don’t clean it: First thing you must never do is clean your coin as it can reduce its value dramatically.
Handle with care: Only hold the coin by its edges to prevent oils from your skin which can damage the surface.
Do your research: Look for features like mint marks, the year of issue and any unique errors.
Get professional advice: The next crucial step is to contact a coin shop, dealer or reputable auction house to get expert opinion.
Check sold listings: Looking at completed sales on eBay can show what collectors are actually paying for similar items.
