The Royal Mint has been creating coins for over a thousand years, with an estimated 30 billion currently in circulation.
Some coins are rarer than others and an imbalance between supply and demand can mean they sell for thousands of pounds. This can make collecting coins a lucrative hobby, especially if you know what to look for.
In this guide, we go through some of the coins estimated to be worth a mint. We also explain how to know if you have a rare coin, what it might be worth and how to spot potential when buying coins.
In this article:
- What makes a Royal Mint coin valuable?
- What are the top three rarest 50p coins?
- Which £2 coins are the rarest?
- I have a rare coin – how can I find out how much it’s worth?
- What coins are available to buy now from the Royal Mint?
Read more: Are Royal Mint coronation coins worth the investment?
What makes a Royal Mint coin valuable?
A coin’s mintage figure is the number of those coins in circulation. It is usually a good indicator of its value – the rarer it is, the more it could be worth.
The same economic laws of scarcity and demand can also apply to coins marked by production errors when they were minted. As well as to limited-edition commemorative designs.
However, scarcity is not a guarantee of high value. Some of the coins worth the most are not necessarily the rarest.
Other factors might also be important, such as a coin’s design, popularity and condition. While production errors can increase the rarity value of a coin, in general, they’re worth more if they are in mint condition.
Take the “Brexit 50p.” It features the adage “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” and has sold online for thousands of pounds in the past. That’s despite about 10 million being in circulation.
What are the top three rarest 50p coins?
The rarest 50p coin in circulation today is considered to be the alternative 2011 Aquatics 50p. It was minted ahead of the 2012 London Olympics. The version that ended up widely circulating features a swimmer with their face clearly visible underwater.
But also released, in much smaller quantities, was a variation on the design with water lines appearing across the swimmer’s head.
The Royal Mint has not disclosed exactly how many of these 50p coins were minted, which enhances what it is worth in the eyes of collectors.
It’s difficult to peg an exact value to this coin, but it has been known to sell for hundreds of pounds above face value on the online marketplace eBay.
Next is the Kew Gardens 2009 edition, of which just 210,000 were minted to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the London conservation centre. The coin showcases the gardens’ renowned Chinese Pagoda entwined with leaves.
Recent successful listings of the coin on eBay have fetched between £100 and £200, depending on the condition.
In third place is the 2011 Olympic Football 50p coin, of which 1,125,000 were minted, again to commemorate the 2012 games in London. It sports a visual explanation of the game’s offside rule.
Despite the coin’s relative rarity, it isn’t particularly valuable: it can be purchased on eBay for between £10 and £20.
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Which £2 coins are the rarest?
The rarest in circulation are considered to be the 2022 Commonwealth Games £2 coins for Northern Ireland and Wales. Just 485,500 and 588,500 of each were minted respectively. They frequently sell on eBay for about £40 and £25.
The games that year were held in Birmingham, and England and Wales also have their own versions of the coin. Their mintage figures are slightly higher.
What is the rarest £1 coin?
According to coin database Change Checker, the 2011 Scotland: Edinburgh City £1 coin is the rarest to have been released, with a mintage of under a million. It depicts the circular coat of arms of Edinburgh and sells for about £10 on eBay.
The coin was part of the “Capital Cities Series” released by the Royal Mint. It isn’t currently in circulation as the old-style £1 coin was phased out following the release of the new design we use today in 2017.
How do I know if a coin is considered rare?
Factors such as mintage figures, commemorative designs and errors can significantly increase a coin’s value.
“Collectors should always establish how many of the coins are in circulation before committing to a price,” says Amy James, a spokesperson for the Royal Mint. “If in doubt, consult an expert.”
You can find currently circulating coin-mintage figures on the Royal Mint website. However, it’s worth noting that mintages are not always made publicly available.
An example of a rare mintage figure is that of the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coin, of which there were just 210,000 minted. A more common edition of the coin such as the 2020 Royal Shield version enjoyed a mintage of 46 million.
Read more: How to invest £10,000
I have a rare coin – how can I find out how much it’s worth?
If you want to check how valuable a specific coin is, you can search for it on eBay. You can then filter the results by selecting “Sold items” under “Show only”. You can also search for it on the website Change Checker, which can give you a host of information about a coin including its value and mintage.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the value of a coin can vary, as its condition is also a key factor in determining what it’s worth.
“This is measured in relation to how much wear and tear it has suffered over the years,” James says. “The closer to ‘mint condition’ – the condition it was in when it came off the production line at the Royal Mint – the higher value it could be.”
If a coin is designated as “uncirculated” by the Royal Mint, this means it has not been in the money supply. It should therefore have suffered less wear and tear than other coins.
When examining a coin, look for any unique features and special or limited-edition signifiers that might distinguish it from the standard coinage. You could also consult a numismatic expert if you are unsure about a coin’s worth.
If you’re a more avid coin collector, you can join the Royal Numismatic Society. This lets you access its journal, events and expert knowledge.
How to know which coins to buy
First, rarity plays a crucial role, as coins with limited mintages or those featuring special designs tend to appreciate in value over time.
Historical significance and cultural relevance are important factors to consider too, and also consider a coin’s condition. Uncirculated coins, or ones in general supply that have maintained their appearance, are generally more valuable.
Keeping an eye on coin market trends, by consulting reputable dealers or browsing forums, can help you make informed decisions.
At the Coin Community, you can browse and contribute to coin-related discussions. In the same that you can with the Coin Collecting community on Reddit, as well as tracking trends.
Are commemorative coins worth it?
Commemorative coins are largely designed as collectable items or gifts that celebrate certain big events, themes and anniversaries. You can even buy “proof” coins, which are usually struck in silver or gold.
The limited-edition King Charles coronation collection, some of it “silver proof”, is a good example of this. It was launched in May by the Royal Mint to mark the occasion.
But whether or not it’s worth buying commemorative coins depends on the individual. While the mintage figure, the significance of an event, or the cultural importance of the theme or character depicted on a coin can help you decide if you will one day be able to sell at a profit, investing is ultimately a gamble.
You can’t assume that an asset such as a coin will always rise in price. So if you are going to collect something, do so because you have a genuine interest in it. Don’t do it solely because of its value at any given point.
Where can I buy rare coins?
Reputable dealers, both online and offline, specialise in offering a wide range of collectable coins. You can browse eBay when hunting for rare coins, along with dedicated numismatic sites such as Coincraft and Baldwin’s.
Meanwhile, auction houses such as Warwick & Warwick often feature rare and valuable coins in their sales. Numismatic fairs, exhibitions and shows can also provide opportunities to find unique pieces and to network with fellow collectors.
If you are buying a commemorative coin on the secondary market, it’s important to consider several factors. Look at the original retail price on the Royal Mint’s website and check if it comes with its original packaging. If it’s a proof edition of a coin, look for a certificate of authenticity with it.
What coins are available to buy now from the Royal Mint?
The Royal Mint is currently selling a variety of commemorative coins. Here is a selection:
- NHS 75th Anniversary 2023 coin. This “brilliant uncirculated” coin commemorates a milestone for the National Health Service. It is struck to a higher standard than regular circulated 50p coins.
- Browse the coronation collection of commemorative coins. These coins celebrate the crowning of King Charles. Find out more about whether coronation coins are worth the investment.
- The Harry Potter coin collection. A potential gift for a fan of the book and film series, or a gateway into coin collecting, these Harry Potter coins feature colourful designs.
- The Myths and Legends collection. This collection features characters from British folklore, such as King Arthur and Merlin, struck in silver and gold.
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