Rare Kew Gardens Coin Fetches Record-Breaking Sum in eBay Bidding War

The Kew Gardens 250th Anniversary coin, a highly sought-after collector's item due to its limited mintage of only 200,000, fetched a remarkable £186.99 in an online auction. Featuring the Chinese Pagoda on its reverse and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the coin sparked a bidding war among collectors.

What's the Story Behind the Rare Kew Gardens Coin?

A Kew Gardens 250th anniversary coin has sparked a fierce bidding war on eBay, eventually selling for an impressive £186.99. The coin, one of the Royal Mint's rarest, was released in 2009 with a limited mintage of just 200,000. Its unique design featuring the Chinese Pagoda and the Queen's portrait has made it a highly sought-after item among collectors.

How Rare Are the Rarest 50p Coins in the UK?

The Kew Gardens 50p coin takes the crown as the rarest in circulation, with a mintage of only 210,000. This scarcity has driven its value, with an average selling price of £156.25. However, some sellers have managed to fetch over £700 for this coveted coin on eBay.

What Other Rare Coins Should Collectors Keep an Eye Out For?

The 2011 Olympics has also produced a number of rare 50p coins, with the wrestling, football, and judo designs being particularly valuable. Only 1.1 million of each of these coins were minted. The Flopsy Bunny and Peter Rabbit designs from 2018 are also highly collectible, with a mintage of 1.4 million and an average selling price of around £5.

What's New in the World of 50p Coins?

In 2019, the Royal Mint introduced three new 50p designs to the market: Sherlock Holmes, Paddington Bear, and the Tower of London. These coins, with a mintage of 500 million, are still relatively common but could become more valuable over time.

Top 10 Most Valuable 50p Coins, According to the Royal Mint

For collectors looking to add rare 50p coins to their collection, here's a list of the top 10 most valuable, along with their mintage and year of release:

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