Kew Gardens Coin: The Most Valuable 50p in the UK?

A rare Kew Gardens 250th anniversary 50p coin sold for £186.99 on eBay, inspiring a bidding war. The coin, part of a limited release of 200,000 in 2009, is one of the Royal Mint's rarest and most sought-after coins. Featuring the Chinese Pagoda at the Royal Botanic Gardens on the tails side and a portrait of the Queen, the Kew Gardens coin is highly valued by collectors.

Is the Kew Gardens Coin the Rarest and Most Valuable 50p in the UK?

The Kew Gardens 250th anniversary coin has become the talk of the town after a fierce bidding war on eBay resulted in a sale price of £186.99. Known as one of the rarest coins from the Royal Mint, it was originally released in 2009 with a limited mintage of only 210,000. This has made it a highly sought-after item among collectors.

How Much Is the Kew Gardens Coin Worth?

On average, the Kew Gardens 50p coin fetches around £156.25. However, the recent eBay sale demonstrates that it can command a much higher price, with one seller reportedly receiving over £700 for theirs.

What Other Coins Are Rare and Valuable?

The 2011 Olympics also produced several rare and valuable 50p coins. The wrestling, football, and judo coins, with a mintage of just 1.1 million each, are among the most sought-after.

The Beatrix Potter Connection

The Flopsy Bunny and Peter Rabbit designs, released in 2018, have also gained significant value. Depicting characters from Beatrix Potter's beloved novels, these coins were minted in a quantity of 1.4 million and currently sell for around £5.

The Sherlock Holmes and Paddington Bear Coins

In 2019, the Royal Mint released three new 50p designs featuring Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, Paddington Bear at St Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London. While not as rare as some of the other coins mentioned, they have still generated interest among collectors.

The Royal Mint's Top 10 Most Valuable 50p Coins

According to the Royal Mint, the following coins are the most valuable 50p coins in circulation:

• Kew Gardens (2009) - 210,000 minted
• Olympic Wrestling (2011) - 1,129,500 minted
• Olympic Football (2011) - 1,161,500 minted
• Olympic Judo (2011) - 1,161,500 minted
• Olympic Triathlon (2011) - 1,163,500 minted
• Peter Rabbit (2018) - 1,400,000 minted
• Flopsy Bunny (2018) - 1,400,000 minted
• Olympic Tennis (2011) - 1,454,000 minted
• Olympic Goalball (2011) - 1,615,500 minted
• Olympic Shooting (2011) - 1,656,500 minted