Rare 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coin sells for £415 on eBay

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 09:28 · Archive

A rare 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coin sold for £415 on eBay after 34 bids, more than 800 times its face value.

A rare 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coin has sold for £415 on eBay after 34 bids, fetching more than 800 times its face value. The Royal Mint released only 210,000 copies of the coin in 2009 to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of London's Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in 1759.

The reverse design features the famous Chinese Pagoda at Kew with a decorative leafy bough wrapping itself around the tower, alongside the fourth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. The design has long been considered one of the most iconic and sought-after 50p pieces in circulation.

With a diameter of 27.5mm, the 50p is the largest British coin in circulation, providing what the Royal Mint describes as a heptagonal canvas for commemorative artwork. Its low circulating mintage and sustained collector demand have made finding an example exceptionally scarce.

Rarity serves as the primary factor driving collector demand and market prices. Coin condition also plays an important role, with well-preserved specimens securing higher prices. Collectors prize unusual design errors and striking flaws that escape the mint.

Sellers often turn to competitive online bidding on eBay to test market demand, though others prefer formal valuations from professional coin dealers to establish a certified market value. The 2023 Atlantic Salmon coin is reported to hold the title as the rarest 50p design in circulation.

How it is being reported

• Rare Royal Mint 50p coin sells for more than 800 times face value on eBayA rare 2009 Kew Gardens solid silver proof piedfort 50p coin has sold for £415 on eBay after 34 bids, fetching more than 800 times face value.Gazette & Herald · 21 Oct, 08:42
• Rare Royal Mint 50p coin sells for more than 800 times face value on eBayA rare 2009 Kew Gardens solid silver proof piedfort 50p coin has sold for £415 on eBay after 34 bids, fetching more than 800 times face value.Wiltshire Times · 21 Oct, 08:42
• Rare Royal Mint 50p coin sells for more than 800 times face value on eBayA rare 2009 Kew Gardens solid silver proof piedfort 50p coin has sold for £415 on eBay after 34 bids, fetching more than 800 times face value.Swindon Advertiser · 21 Oct, 08:42
• Rare Royal Mint 50p coin sells for more than 800 times face value on eBayA rare 2009 Kew Gardens solid silver proof piedfort 50p coin has sold for £415 on eBay after 34 bids, fetching more than 800 times face value.This Is Wiltshire · 21 Oct, 08:42

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

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem