A coin expert is urging Brits to check their change for some sought-after 50p coins that are making circulation. These coins could be worth far more than face-value, with some being worth as much as £80.
These particular coins are sought-after by collectors as they have a low mintage – produced in a limited number – making them rare and hard to find. Through a Tiktok video, the Coin Collector UK revealed which 50p coins to watch out for.
He explains that you need to look for a shield design – first introduced in 2008 – on the tails side of your coins. He said: “You can get up to £80 pound each for these shield 50ps that you can find in your change.”
The coin forms part of a wider design that also includes 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p and 20p, reports The Mirror. When put together correctly, the coins will create the outline of a shield.
This unique design was created as part of a competition launched by Royal Mint, which had around 4,000 entries. The competition wanted people to send in designs for the six coins, that could work as a set or stand alone, that would symbolise Britain.
Some 50p coins may have a more significant value depending on the year on the coin – but most are just worth 50p. This is because some shield 50p coins were made exclusively for annual coin sets, and these began to circulate when sets were broken open and the money was spent.
Experts at Change Checker explained: “Despite the Royal Shield being the definitive UK 50p design for a 14 year period, not every year saw them entering circulation. Royal Shield 50ps dated 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2018 and 2021 are particularly special, because they were never intended for general circulation.”
In the video, the Coin Collector explained that years to look out for are 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2016 – the latter being the most valuable. He goes on to show that he has managed to find coins from 2009, 2010 and 2011 in his change, which he says sell for between £30 and £40 each.
However, it is the 2016 coin that is the most wanted. He says it can go about £60 to £80. At the time of reporting, The Mirror noted that a 2016 shield 50p coin was up for sale on eBay for £135, while another one was found on the auction site for £78.95.
He added: “Another one I’ve been lucky enough to find is a 2018 shield. This one again about £30, £40 maybe even £45. And the most recent one to be looking out for is the year 2021 currently selling for about £20 to £25.
“It’s also worth mentioning in the 2017 shield. Unlike the others this one did go into circulation, but it’s the lowest mintage shield, only 1.8 million made, and this goes for about £1 to £2.”
The last Royal Shield 50p issued for circulation was in 2022. With this news, it may be time to start sifting through that pile of spare change you have lying about.
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