THE UK’s most valuable 50p has been sold for 148 times its original value.
The Atlantic Salmon coin sparked a fierce bidding war on eBay.
The fish-themed 50p sparked a bidding war on eBay[/caption]
The coin is one of eight designs that have a nature-based theme in celebration of the King’s passion for conservation.
The collection features designs on the coins ranging from 1pm to £2.
The 50p that was listed as a “unique and collectible piece for coin enthusiasts” sold for £74.34.
In October 2024, The Royal Mint exclusively revealed to The Sun the Kew Gardens 50p has been dethroned by the Atlantic Salmon 50p.
The coin was struck to highlight the plight of the species of fish, whose population is in decline.
The 50p piece started entering general circulation at the end of 2023 as part of a new series of coins marking the ascension of King Charles to the throne.
Up until now, The Royal Mint, the official maker of British coins, has yet published confirmed figures on how many of the Atlantic Salmon were put into circulation.
However, it has now been revealed 200,000 were sent to banks and post offices across the UK at the end of last year.
There were 210,000 Kew Gardens 50p coins put into circulation 15 years ago which has made it the rarest of the 50ps for over a decade.
But the latest mintage figures from The Royal Mint show its spot has now been taken by the Atlantic Salmon 50p.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coins 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.”
Collectors have already been finding the Atlantic Salmon 50p piece hard to come by, with some willing to pay over the odds to get their hands on one.
Plenty of sellers on eBay have found theirs going for multiple times their face value.
The collection of coins are nature themed to reflect Charles’ work in conservation[/caption]
