BRITS are being urged to check their change after the UK’s rarest 50p in circulation sold for a staggering 166 times its face value.
The Atlantic Salmon 50p fetched an unbelievable £83 on eBay, despite being worth just 50p in the shops.
The coin was part of eight new designs released following King Charles III’s accession to the throne.
With only 200,000 put into circulation, it has officially overtaken the famous Kew Gardens 50p as the rarest currently in use.
The Atlantic Salmon design was chosen to represent the UK’s rich wildlife across all four nations.
While wild salmon numbers have been hit by river pollution, habitat loss, overfishing and climate change, the species can still be found in clean rivers in Scotland and Wales, as well as parts of northern and south-west England.
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The eBay listing read: “2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p no privy mark rare circulating UK coin in good condition.”
After a tense bidding war involving 20 bids, one keen collector snapped it up for £83 plus £2.72 postage, sending coin fans scrambling to look through their loose change.
But, high prices are not always guaranteed, with other editions selling for just £20.
How much you can get depends on several factors such as the condition of the coin and how much bidders are willing to pay on the day.
Meanwhile, the Royal Mint has unveiled a brand new 50p celebrating the speed and style of Concorde, marking 50 years since the jet’s first commercial flight.
Created in partnership with British Airways and Airbus, the coin’s “tails” side shows the iconic aircraft soaring through the sky against a departure board backdrop, with the word Concorde emblazoned across the centre.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said the aircraft represents the very best of British innovation and praised the design for capturing its “grace and power”.
The 50p has become the UK’s most collected coin thanks to its distinctive seven-sided shape and large 27.5mm diameter, the biggest of any British coin.
Over the past five decades it has marked major moments in British history, with rarity, condition and even minting errors helping to drive up values.
If you’re lucky enough to have one in your spare change, then the safest way to sell a rare coin is at auction.
You can organise this with The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service.
If you are selling on eBay, make sure you list the coin’s price accurately – you can do this by checking how much other sellers have sold the same piece for.