Rare King Charles 50p coin sells for £123 at auction

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 05:02 · Archive

A King Charles Atlantic Salmon 50p coin has sold for £123, more than 200 times its face value.

A rare King Charles III 50p coin has sold for £123 on eBay after attracting 37 bids. The coin, released by the Royal Mint in 2023, features an Atlantic Salmon on the reverse alongside the King's cypher, while the obverse bears the official uncrowned portrait of King Charles III by Martin Jennings. It celebrates British wildlife and the King's accession, depicting the Atlantic salmon as a priority conservation species in UK waters.

Only 200,000 copies of the coin were ever produced and released into banks and post offices, making it the rarest 50p in active UK circulation. This has ended the 15-year record held by the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p. Finding one in loose change remains exceptionally rare.

The sale price of £123 represents more than 200 times the coin's face value. Rarity, condition and design all drive collector demand. The 50p's distinctive heptagonal shape and large diameter of 27.5mm make it the largest British coin in circulation, providing space for commemorative artwork that appeals to collectors seeking unusual pieces or those with striking flaws.

How it is being reported

• Rare King Charles 50p sells for more than 200 times its face valueOnly 200,000 were released into banks and post offices, making it the rarest 50p in active UK circulationEly Standard · 16 Oct, 04:01
• Rare King Charles 50p sells for more than 200 times its face valueOnly 200,000 were released into banks and post offices, making it the rarest 50p in active UK circulationCambs Times · 16 Oct, 04:01

In this story: King Charles III · Royal Mint · UK

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