The new 50p coin featuring a leaping salmon enters circulation

The coin's design - which features a leaping salmon on one side and a portrait of King Charles III on the reverse - highlights His Majesty's passion for conservation and the natural world

A limited-edition coin featuring a leaping salmon and King Charles III has become the rarest 50p coin in circulation, new figures from The Royal Mint have revealed.

The coin - which is part of a series highlighting the King’s passion for the natural world and sustainable living and was released in November as the first of eight new coin designs - is one of the most sought-after by collectors.

It is part of a wider coin series that began in 2021 to highlight the beauty of the British Isles and its wildlife.

While the coin is widely available and can be found in shops, cafes and other establishments throughout the country, only a small number of the coins were made, and they are highly prized by collectors.

Wild populations of Atlantic salmon are affected by environmental factors like river pollution, habitat loss, overfishing and river heating due to lack of tree cover and climate change, but the fish can still be found in clean rivers in Scotland, Wales, and North and South West England.

Announcing the mintage figures in October at the British Numismatic Convention, which brings together coin collectors from across the country, Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said: "The releasing of mintage figures is an eagerly anticipated event among the coin collecting community - and this year is particularly exciting as we reveal the Atlantic Salmon as the rarest 0p in circulation.

“For the first time in 15 years, the highly collectable Kew Gardens 50p loses its top spot as the rarest in circulation with the Atlantic Salmon 50p splashing its way to number one.

“2023 marked pivotal changes for the nation’s coinage, including the introduction of coins celebrating King Charles III’s coronation entering circulation. Finding these special designs, like the Atlantic Salmon, in your change is a win for all collectors.”