One coin was recently sold on eBay for £110.79, another went for £102 and a third was snapped up for £98.99 – and there could be one in your wallet right now.
A coin expert has encouraged Brits to keep a close eye on their change, as the UK’s “rarest coin” could be hiding in plain sight. This 50p piece, featuring King Charles III and an Atlantic salmon, is worth around £100 to collectors and was only released in 2023.
The Coin Seeker, a collector who documents his finds on social media platform TikTok, shared more details in a video, urging viewers to “check your change”. He said: “The rarest coin in the UK. This is the 2023 King Charles salmon and this is in immaculate condition.”
What sets this coin apart is its limited production. “This is one of 200,000, and this has come straight from a sealed bag,” he added. “Look at it. Absolutely insane. They sell for over £100 with only 200 000 minted.”
He further advised: “You could still possibly find one of these in your change. So make sure you check your change in case you find one of these bad boys.”
As reported by Lancashire Live, the Royal Mint website confirms that the salmon coin is currently the rarest 50p in circulation, surpassing the 2009 Kew Gardens coin, of which 210,000 were minted.
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.”
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She added that for the first time in 15 years, the Kew Gardens 50p has been dethroned from its position as the rarest coin by the Atlantic Salmon 50p. Morgan also highlighted the significance of 2023 for collectors, saying: “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.” On December 30, it was reported that three Atlantic salmon coins fetched varying amounts on eBay, with one selling for £102, another for £110.79, and a third for £98.99.