Rare Kew Gardens 50p coin sells for £118 at auction

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 14:58 · Archive

A rare Kew Gardens 250th anniversary 50p coin sold for £118 on eBay after 10 bids, more than 200 times its face value.

A rare 50p coin has fetched more than 200 times its face value after an online auction. The Kew Gardens 250th anniversary piece drew 10 bids on eBay before being sold for £118. Released by the Royal Mint in 2009, only 210,000 copies of the coin were ever produced. The coin marks two and a half centuries since the opening of the Royal Botanic Gardens in 1759.

The commemorative piece features the famous Chinese Pagoda tower on the reverse, alongside a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. It ranks among the most sought-after coins in circulation across the UK. The 50p piece provides a distinct heptagonal canvas for coin designers, with a diameter of 27.5mm making it the largest British coin in circulation.

Rarity serves as the primary factor driving collector demand and market prices. Low mintage figures mean fewer examples exist to buy or trade. Coin condition also plays an important role, with well-preserved specimens securing higher prices. Collectors also prize unusual design errors and striking flaws that escape the mint.

Sellers often turn to competitive online bidding on eBay to test market demand. Others prefer formal valuations from professional coin dealers to establish a certified market value. Royal Mint mintage figures confirm that the 2023 Atlantic Salmon coin holds the title as the rarest 50p design currently in circulation.

Anyone checking their loose change is urged to keep an eye out for these scarce editions.

How it is being reported

• Rare Royal Mint 50p coin selling for more than 230 times its face valueA rare Kew Gardens 250th anniversary 50p coin has sold for £118 on eBay after attracting 10 bids, more than 200 times its original face value.Gazette & Herald · 13 Oct, 14:24
• Rare Royal Mint 50p coin selling for more than 230 times its face valueA rare Kew Gardens 250th anniversary 50p coin has sold for £118 on eBay after attracting 10 bids, more than 200 times its original face value.This Is Wiltshire · 13 Oct, 14:24
• Rare Royal Mint 50p coin selling for more than 230 times its face valueA rare Kew Gardens 250th anniversary 50p coin has sold for £118 on eBay after attracting 10 bids, more than 200 times its original face value.Wiltshire Times · 13 Oct, 14:24

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

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