A rare 50p piece has just been sold on eBay for some 260 times its face value, following a bidding war. Collectible coins can go for high prices and this sale is no different, ringing in the festive cheer early for one lucky seller.
The coin in question was minted in 2009 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the opening of Kew Gardens in 1759. With only about 210,000 produced by the Royal Mint, it bears the iconic image of Kew Gardens’ Chinese Pagoda on one side and the late Queen’s portrait on the other.
Described online as “rare 50p coin kew gardens 2009 circulated” [sic], the auction commenced at £49.99. After a 15-way bidding war, the price jumped up and up to £130, plus £3.49 for tracked postage.
Coin experts estimate hundreds of thousands of these special edition coins may still be out there, so checking your loose change could pay off. However, those who do fine the Kew Gardens design should check the year it was minted.
This is because a 2019 reissue marking 50 years of the coin exists – but generally fetches lower sums. That said, this version has sold for as much as £80 on eBay.