Rare 50p coin sells for 310 times its face value after sparking bidding war on eBay

A lucky eBay seller has managed to flog a 50p coin for a huge 310 times its face value - after it sparked a 34-way bidding war.

The money piece was minted in 2009, to mark the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens.

It features the iconic Chinese Pagoda on one side and a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II on the other.

The coin, of which only 210,000 were produced by The Royal Mint, is highly sought after by collectors.

Experts estimate it to be worth around £145 - meaning this lucky seller managed to squeeze out an extra tenner, selling theirs for a tidy £155.

Bidding for the item, which was listed as "2009 Genuine Kew Gardens 50p Coin In Very Good Circulated Condition *Rare Find*", started at just 1p.

But as a 34-way bidding war ensued, the price quickly rose and rose, before the coin finally sold for £155.

The final bid, placed on Sunday, January 5, also included a £2.70 postage fee for tracked delivery by Royal Mail.

Coin experts reckon there are still hundreds of thousands of these Kew Gardens coins in circulation - so it might be worth checking your pockets, wallets and down the back of the sofa.

And if you do happen to find a Kew Gardens 50p, the first thing you should do is check the date on it.

This is because The Royal Mint also produced a second batch of the coins in 2019, to mark the 50th anniversary of the 50p.

These versions don't usually sell for as much - but they have been known to fetch around £70 or £80 on eBay.