A rare 50p coin has sold for 350 times its original value after a bidding war on eBay. The coin, highly sought after by collectors, is estimated to be worth around £140, but the seller managed to sell it for a whopping £175. Minted in 2009 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens’ opening in 1759, this coin features the iconic Chinese Pagoda from the Royal Botanic Garden on one side and the late Queen’s portrait on the other.
The Royal Mint initially produced approximately 210,000 of these coins. Listed as a “Rare 100% Genuine 2009 Kew Gardens 50p Coin” on eBay, the coin started with a humble price tag of £20. However, after 27 bids, the price skyrocketed to the final sale price of £175, with free postage included. With 210,000 of these coins still in circulation, it might be worth checking your spare change for a Kew Gardens 50p. If you happen to find one, don’t forget to check the date, as the Royal Mint reissued a batch in 2019 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 50p coin, which doesn’t fetch as high a price but can still sell for between £70 and £80 on eBay.
In recent days, another coin has been making headlines. In a viral TikTok clip from @CoinCollectingWizard, viewers were informed about the potential value of a certain two pence piece. The clip revealed that a 1971 Two Pence coin with “New Pence” on it could potentially fetch £1,000. There are numerous news articles and eBay listings of people trying to sell this coin for thousands of pounds.
Coins can hold surprising values, often exceeding their face value significantly. It’s always worth keeping an eye out for rare or commemorative coins in circulation, as you never know what hidden treasures you might find in your spare change.