Rare 50p coin could be worth a lot more

A rare coin expert has told the public to check their wallets and piggy banks for a specific 50p coin that could be worth more than its face value

A rare coin expert has told the public to check their wallets and piggy banks for a specific 50p coin that could be worth more than its face value due to a minting error.

The coin in question is the Sir Isaac Newton 50p, which was created in 2017 and features a reverse design inspired by Proposition 11 from Book One of Newton's Principia Mathematica.

These collectable coins are not common finds, even without errors, with only the Kew Gardens 50p being rarer in circulation.

(Image: TikTok / UKCoinHunt)

Alerting followers, UKCoinHunt said: “You lot need to look out for this error on Sir Isaac Newton which came out in 2017, there's an error that means it's obviously worth a lot more than just 50p.”

He went on to demonstrate the flaw by comparing a faulty coin with a normal one, showing the Queen Elizabeth II portrait and pointing out a “die clash error” that manifests as scratch-like marks.

On closer examination, two lines parallel to each other can be discerned to the left of the late Queen's neck.

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While admitting the challenge of capturing the error on camera, UKCoinHunt valued the flawed coin at approximately £10.

He also mentioned that those who previously ordered these coins in bulk may find multiple examples of the die clash, reports Lancs Live.

One TikTok viewer responded: "I have two of them," while another said: "Can't see nothing different." A third person said: "Have to check my few."

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When the commemorative coin was minted eight years ago, the Royal Mint provided some historical context, saying: "When Sir Isaac Newton came to The Royal Mint, Britain's finances were approaching crisis. Up to one in ten circulating coins were believed to be forged. His vision of matchless quality led him to root out and prosecute notorious counterfeiters, improve assaying techniques (the way coin quality is checked) and refine weights and measures to standards never seen before.

"In 1699 Newton became Master of the Mint. After overseeing the new coinage for the accession of Queen Anne in 1702 he went on to supervise the process of bringing Scottish coinage into line with English coinage, following the Union of England and Scotland in 1707. Thanks to Newton's vision Royal Mint coins remain unrivalled in their accuracy and purity to this day. This 50p coin is struck to Brilliant Uncirculated standard. It marks the 375th anniversary of Newton's birth."