One of the rarest 50 pence pieces that collectors go 'crazy' for has been listed online for more than £7,000 - a whopping 14,000 times its original value

With a mintage of just 210,000, The Kew Gardens 2009 coin has gained a desired reputation since its public launch 15 years ago.

One of the rarest 50 pence pieces that collectors go 'crazy' for has been listed online for more than £7,000 - a whopping 14,000 times its original value.

With a mintage of just 210,000, The Kew Gardens 2009 coin has gained a desired reputation since its public launch 15 years ago.

Designed by Christopher Le Brun, the coin celebrates the famous botanical garden - depicting a Chinese pagoda on one side, with a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth on the other.

There is also a 2019-dated coin celebrating this recognisable design, but it is the original 2009 edition that tends to hold more value.

On eBay, user Boiler4037 has listed the coin for £7,086.72 or 'best offer'. The post has been viewed 146 in the last 24 hours, and the seller states: "The winning bidder/buyer will have a choice of giving 50 per cent of the money to a charity of their own choice."

Other listings have the coin priced around £15,000, £12,000 and £10,000.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Channel 4's Posh Pawn star James Constantinou urged Brits to 'exercise caution' and conduct 'thorough research' before making a purchase.

"It's not unusual to see rare coins like the Kew Gardens 50p listed for inflated prices online," he said.

"While there are some Kew Garden 50 pence pieces which can command values between £100 and £200 in good condition, listings that claim prices as high as £7,000 are misleading and exploit the excitement surrounding collectable coins."

James, who is the Managing Director of Prestige Pawnbrokers, added: "People often assume that just because an item is listed at a certain price on platforms like eBay, that's what it's worth, but that's simply not the case.

"Sellers can list items at whatever price they choose, but it doesn't mean anyone will pay it. True market value is determined by what buyers are willing to pay, not sensational price tags.

"If you're interested in coin collecting or selling a potentially valuable coin, it's always best to consult professional valuers or reputable pawnbrokers who are experienced in appraising such items. They can offer an accurate, market-based assessment to ensure you're making an informed decision."

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The Royal Mint, the world's leading export mint, which makes coins and medals for about 60 countries each year, does not comment on independent listings.

However, a spokesperson told the Mirror: "A coin is ultimately worth what the collector is willing to pay for it, but there are factors you should consider before committing to a price. This can include the condition of the coin, its design, mintage figure and what it’s made of.

"If people are looking to sell a coin on the secondary market, and the coin has an unusually low mintage, then it might sell for higher than its face value. Collectors should always establish how many of the coins are in circulation before committing to a price. If in doubt consult an expert."

As previously reported, there is an ultra-rare gold version of the Kew Gardens 50p that is a 'proof' coin. This means it has been designed specifically for collectors rather than for public use, and is therefore usually a lot higher than the value of the metal they're made from.

It is widely reported that only 1,000 gold Kew Gardens proof coins were minted back in 2009, and only 629 were snapped up by the public, meaning this coin could be worth thousands.

If you're thinking of selling or buying a rare coin, you read the Royal Mint's guide to getting a fair price here.

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