Coin experts urge Brits to check change after rare 50p sells for over £60,000
Some rare coins are sought after by collectors and could be worth a fortune - do you have any in your pockets?
by Catherine Addison-Swan, Howard Lloyd · ChronicleLiveNow is the time to check your old coat pockets and between the sofa cushions to see whether you are holding on to some loose change that could be worth a fortune, according to coin experts.
With UK coinage having recently undergone its biggest change in recent history after King Charles came to the throne, with millions of coins bearing the new monarch's effigy making their way into circulation this year, older coins are becoming increasingly sought after. And research carried out by UK Debt Expert examined eBay purchasing trends from the last six months to find out which designs are worth the most in the eyes of coin collectors.
The experts found that the most valuable 50p was a 2020 coin marking the UK's exit from the European Union, with a reverse side that reads: "peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations". The coin recently sold for over £60,000, and again for £25,500 - with the lowest minimum price being £10,000, HullLive reports.
More than 10 million of these coins were minted to commemorate Brexit, but the chances of finding one in your change are becoming less likely due to collectors snapping them up. While the value of coins like this are determined by how desperate a bidder is to get hold of them, there are certain factors that can drastically drive up the value of a collectable coin, such as having unique faults.
Meanwhile, £5 coins from Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee in 2002, a cherished collectable among millennials, are currently being sold for up to £5,000 on the market, the experts found. And if you come across a penny from the 1970s, be sure to pick it up - it could be worth as much as £7,500.
Speaking about the value of vintage coins and how to make the most from your collection, Maxine McCreadie, a personal finance expert at UK Debt Expert, said: "As King Charles' new coins are issued across the UK, there's no better time to have a look at your own collection and see what can be turned into cash.
"Some people may not realise what they might have if they were gifted a coin, such as millennials whose parents may have purchased a £5 coin for them in 2002. If you have any old coins from last year or 30 years ago, check online to get an idea of how much they have recently sold for, and make sure to mention any specific designs. When selling, ensure to include any authentication you have and a full description of the item.
"Whether you're looking to try and make a little extra money or simply intrigued by the potential value of your coins, it could be worth checking their value online," she added. Here are some of the coins that were sold for the highest amount on eBay over the last six months, according to the experts' research:
- 'Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations' 2020 50p: £63,000
- Queen Elizabeth II 2006 50p: £55,000
- WW1 design 2016 £2: £50,000
- 1807 abolition of slavery design £2: £40,000
- Standard 1p design from 1971: £7,500
- Commonwealth Games Queen Elizabeth 1986 £2: £6,100
- Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee 2002 £5 coin: £5,000
- King Charles 2024 £5 note: £2,800
- Prince Philip £5 gold coin: £2,675
- Queen Elizabeth II 2002 £5 gold coin: £2,600
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