Blue Peter coin: The rare £1 coin released ahead of the London 2012 Olympics that now sells for hundreds of pounds

The Blue Peter coin was released in 2009 ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. It features an athlete competing in the high jump, and was designed by Blue Peter competition winner Florence Jackson, to commemorate the games.

The Blue Peter coin was released in 2009 to mark the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London. It features an athlete competing in the high jump and was designed by Florence Jackson, the winner of a Blue Peter competition to design the coin.

The coin was intended to commemorate the games and was never officially put into circulation. However, it is understood that many did enter everyday transactions. Around 20,000 editions of the coin were minted.

Originally, the coins were sold for £1.09, but they now go for much more than that on occasions. One coin even fetched £286 on eBay. This week, one sold for £186, after attracting 18 bids on the online auction site. The coin was described as a “must have for any serious coin collector”.

Five Incredibly Rare and Valuable British Coins

What makes a coin valuable?

The 50 pence piece has become the most valued and collected coin in the UK, with many collectable designs appearing on its heptagonal canvas. Its 27.5mm diameter makes it the largest of any British coin and allows space for decorative pictures. It has often been used to celebrate big events over the past 50 years of British history.

The rarest coins tend to be of the greatest value, with the mintage (number of coins with each design made) being the fundamental attraction for collectors. Along with the design, other aspects of the coin which increase value are the condition of the coin and whether it has an error in its design.

The way in which it is sold can also determine the coin’s value - while some coin collectors will bid vast amounts of money on ebay or at auction, others opt for more robust valuations by selling via a coin dealer.

Here is a list of the top 10 most valuable coins, when they were made and how many were minted