Two 'rarest' 50p coins could be in your change - and they're worth over £200

Brits have been urged to keep an eye out for two rare 50p coins currently in circulation. Combined these pieces could sell for as much as £230 to collectors.

When it comes to rare coins you may think that it is only older pieces that are sought after by experts. While antique coins can be valuable, the same is true of modern ones.

In a video shared to social media platform TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard, alerted his followers to two particularly special coins. Both are still used in the UK today, having been minted in recent years.

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“The top two rarest 50 pence coins you can find in your change,” he said. Firstly he described what is currently deemed by the Royal Mint as the “rarest” 50p coin.

This piece came as part of a new collection featuring King Charles III on the obverse following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. On its reverse is the picture of a fish - or an Atlantic salmon to be more precise.

The expert continued: “We start with the rarest 50p coin, which is this one right here. Known as the Atlantic salmon from 2023, this is a fairly new coin with only 200,000 out there in the wild.”

However, there are a couple of markers to check on the coin to ensure it is valuable. He said: “But you must make sure it is dated 2023 and has no privy mark on the King side of the coin. If you find this 50 pence, then you can easily sell this one for around £80 to collectors.”

He then talked about another 50p coin which was previously known to be the rarest of its kind. The Kew Gardens coin, which features an image of the garden’s famous pagoda.

Although less rare, this coin tends to sell for even more than the salmon. “This one is the second rarest 50 pence but actually, quite surprisingly, the most valuable,” he added.

“This is known as the Kew Gardens 50 pence from 2009 and because it's so old and only two or ten thousand were ever made, it makes this coin very valuable to collectors.

“Even though it's in second place as the rarest, if you find the Kew Gardens in your change then no matter the condition you are selling this for around £150.”

On it’s website, the Royal Mint notes that both these coins are rare. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint said: “The releasing of mintage figures is an eagerly anticipated event among the coin collecting community – and this year is particularly exciting as we reveal the Atlantic Salmon as the rarest 50p in circulation.

“For the first time in 15 years, the highly collectable Kew Gardens 50p loses its top spot as the rarest in circulation with the Atlantic Salmon 50p splashing its way to number one.

“2023 marked pivotal changes for the nation’s coinage, including the introduction of coins celebrating King Charles III’s coronation entering circulation. Finding these special designs, like the Atlantic Salmon, in your change is a win for all collectors.”