The Royal Mint has named “the nation’s most collectable coin” - revealing which is the rarest in circulation

The figures from the Royal Mint which, show how many of each type of coin was minted in 2023, show that the rarest coin has changed for the first time in 15 years.

The Royal Mint has named “the nation’s most collectable coin” - revealing which is the rarest in circulation.

figures from the Royal Mint show how many of each type of coin was minted in 2023, and the rarest coin has changed for the first time in 15 years.

Since 2009 the “highly collectable” Kew Gardens 50p piece occupied the top spot as rarest count in circulation, with only 210,000 minted.

However as of 2023 that all changed after a run of coins was introduced by the Royal Mint to celebrate King Charles III’s coronation.

The Royal Mint often issues limited edition runs of coins into general circulation to mark special occasions or celebrate certain events.

The limited nature of these coins means they are often of great value to collectors - in the past rare 50 pence pieces have sold for as much as £950 to enthusiasts.

The publication of the 2023 mintage figures shows 200,000 of the Atlantic Salmon 50p coins were minted, an even smaller run than the Kew Gardens 50p.

New coins were minted across all denominations last year, from 1p up to £2 with designs highlighting Charles’ “passion for conservation and the natural world”.

The coin, a King Charles Atlantic Salmon 50p, has only been in circulation since November 2023 but its scarceness has proved a hit with collectors.

It is part of a set of eight new special coins released by the Royal Mint, reflecting the King's “passion for conservation and the natural world”.

The coins featured the salmon, as well as a dormouse and bees, all favourites of the new monarch.

These were distributed to banks and post offices to make their way into the hands of the general public, the Independent reports.

Atlantic Salmon 50p coins are currently selling on eBay for anywhere from £50 to well over £100.

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 50p 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.”