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 sold for £123 on eBay, over 200 times its face value.

A rare King Charles III Atlantic Salmon 50p coin has sold for £123 on eBay after drawing 37 bids, fetching more than 200 times its face value. Only 200,000 copies were released by the Royal Mint in 2023, making it officially the rarest 50p in active UK circulation.

The coin celebrates British wildlife and the accession of King Charles III, depicting the Atlantic salmon as a priority conservation species in UK waters. The reverse features a leaping Atlantic salmon alongside the King's royal cypher, while the obverse bears his official uncrowned portrait by designer Martin Jennings.

With just 200,000 released into banks and post offices, finding one in loose change remains exceptionally rare. The 50p piece, which measures 27.5mm in diameter, is the largest British coin in circulation. Rarity serves as the primary factor driving collector demand, with low mintage figures meaning fewer examples exist to buy or trade. Coin condition also plays an important role, with well-preserved specimens securing higher prices.

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 circulationThe Comet · 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 circulationHerts Advertiser · 16 Oct, 04:01

In this story: King Charles III · Royal Mint · eBay · Martin Jennings · UK

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