Rare 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coin sells for £117 on eBay

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 10:18 · Archive

A 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coin sold for £117 on eBay after 13 bids, more than 230 times its face value.

A rare 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coin sold for £117 on eBay on November 1 after attracting 13 bids, fetching more than 200 times its face value. The listing described the coin as a 2009 Kew Gardens 50p, though its authenticity has not been independently verified.

The Royal Mint released 210,000 of the commemorative coins in 2009. The design commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, with the reverse depicting the Chinese pagoda and the obverse featuring a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Low demand for 50p coins in 2009 contributed to the unusually small number struck that year.

The 2009 Kew Gardens 50p is the second rarest 50p by circulating mintage, behind the 2023 Atlantic Salmon coin. The 50p measures 27.3mm across and provides space for commemorative artwork. Rarity and collector demand affect a coin's market price, with low mintage figures meaning fewer examples were released into circulation.

Condition plays an important role in determining value, with well-preserved specimens usually worth more than worn examples. The way a coin is sold can also affect the price realised. Sellers can use online auctions such as eBay to find a buyer, whilst collectors can also seek a professional valuation, though this does not guarantee a sale price.

Collectors can check their loose change for these scarce editions.

How it is being reported

• Rare Royal Mint 50 coin sells for more than 230 times face value on eBayA 2009 Kew Gardens 50p sold for £117 after 13 eBay bids. See the Royal Mint's rarest circulating 50p issues and their mintages.Wandsworth Guardian · 2 Nov, 10:05
• Rare Royal Mint 50 coin sells for more than 230 times face value on eBayA 2009 Kew Gardens 50p sold for £117 after 13 eBay bids. See the Royal Mint's rarest circulating 50p issues and their mintages.News Shopper · 2 Nov, 10:05
• Rare Royal Mint 50 coin sells for more than 230 times face value on eBayA 2009 Kew Gardens 50p sold for £117 after 13 eBay bids. See the Royal Mint's rarest circulating 50p issues and their mintages.This Is Local London · 2 Nov, 10:05
• Rare Royal Mint 50 coin sells for more than 230 times face value on eBayA 2009 Kew Gardens 50p sold for £117 after 13 eBay bids. See the Royal Mint's rarest circulating 50p issues and their mintages.Croydon Guardian · 2 Nov, 10:05

In this story: Royal Mint · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · Queen Elizabeth II · eBay

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