Brits are being urged to rummage through their pockets and piggy banks, as a specific 50 pence piece from 2009 could be worth a staggering £150 to eager collectors. This coin, featuring the iconic Chinese Pagoda at Kew Gardens, is celebrated as one of the UK's rarest circulating coins.
The 'change checker's dream'
An expert known online as the Coin Collecting Wizard has highlighted the coin's value on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook. He showcased the distinctive design, explaining that the Kew Gardens 50p from 2009 had a mintage of just 210,000 coins released into general circulation.
"This is the Kew Gardens 50p from 2009, with only 210,000 ever released into UK change," he stated. Earlier this year, he also described it on X as a "change checker's dream," noting its status as the second rarest 50p still found in circulation, which makes finding one a thrilling prospect for anyone checking their change.
Why is this coin so sought-after?
The Royal Mint itself acknowledges that collectors "go crazy" for this particular design. On its website, it states that of all the commemorative 50p coins celebrating British culture, the Kew Gardens 50p is arguably the most sought-after.
The coin's reverse, designed by Christopher Le Brun RA, features the famous pagoda at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, entwined with a decorative leafy climber. The obverse bears the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Mint attributes the coin's rarity to low demand for the 50p denomination at the time of its release, leading to its exceptionally low mintage. With most of the 210,000 coins now in private collections, the chance of finding one in everyday change is remarkably slim.
A royal change in the rankings
While the Kew Gardens coin has long held the crown as the UK's rarest 50p, it was recently dethroned. In 2023, the new Atlantic salmon design, marking King Charles III's ascension to the throne, took the title of the rarest 50p coin. Nevertheless, the 2009 Kew Gardens piece remains a highly prized and valuable find for any lucky individual.
The expert added on his Facebook page: "With its famous pagoda design, it's a favourite among collectors and not an easy find at all. If you're lucky enough to come across one, it can be worth around £150, depending on condition." So, the next time you receive a 50p, it might be worth a second glance – you could be holding a small fortune.
