50p coin with rare detail could be worth £2000
Get checking your pockets
Last updated 13th Apr 2017
12 years ago, the UK hosted the 2012 Olympics, and to commemorate the special event The Royal Mint released a special set of 50p coins, themed around various sporting events.
Now, according to a TikTok account called coincollectingwizard, one of the 2012 Olympics 50p coins could be worth A LOT more than the 50p it was designed for.
Explaining why on TikTok, conlincollectingwizard said that one of the 50p coins with an aquatics design could be worth £2000. But you'll need to get checking your pockets, because there's a special detail you need to keep an eye out for.
Early versions of the coin show the swimmer with the water covering their head, however later versions have the lines of water removed.
According to eBay back in 2016, only 600 of the early version are in circulation, fetching up to £3000 when they were first placed on eBay.
29 Olympic designs were minted and of them, the Triathlon, Football Offside Rule (pictured below right), Wrestling, Judo and Cycling are known to regularly fetch more than 50p. The Offside Explained one which apparently regularly changes hands for around £10.
And it's not just the Olympic coins which can fetch more than 50p. Although not particularly rare the 2011 WWF design of the 50p (pictured above left) can often sell for around £200 to collectors, so start checking your purse!
Take a look through other special coins and notes:
UK Crowned Shield £1 coin
Although they are fairly common, they can currently fetch around £3 - £5.50. They are one of the oldest £1 coins around having been minted in 1988, just five years after the £1 coin was introduced.
Edinburgh City £1 coin
This was released in 2011 and is thought to be worth £12 - £16.
Scotland's Thistle and Bluebell £1 coin
Even with a mintage of 5.1 million it is worth £3 - £5 to collectors.
Cardiff City £1 coin
This coin features the Coat of Arms of Cardiff as the principal focus to represent Wales. It is thought to be worth £11 - £15.
London City £1 coin
Although more common than the Scottish and Welsh versions it is still worth £5 - £8.
EC and Kew Gardens
Dating back to 1992/3 this larger 50p coin (left) was issued to celebrate the British presidency of the council of Europe. No longer in circulation could be worth around £40.
The Kew Gardens design was minted to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Only 210,000 coins were made and is now expected to sell on eBay for £70 - £100.
2011 WWF and 2012 The Offside Explained
2011 WWF design of the 50p (left) can often sell for around £200 to collectors.
The Offside Explained 50p apparently regularly changes hands for around £10.
2012 Olympics - Swimmer
Early versions of the coin show the swimmer with the water covering their head, however later versions have the lines of water removed.
According to eBay only 600 of the early version are in circulation, fetching up to £3000 when they were first placed on eBay.
New fiver (£5)
The new £5 note was released into circulation on the 13th September 2016. Notes with serial numbers starting with AA or AK 47 sold for much more than than their face value.
New tenner (£10)
The new £10 note, featuring Jane Austen was released on 14th September 2017.
As before many with the serial number AA or AK 47 were highly sought after as well as those with serial numbers relating to Jane Austen's birthday, date of death, or date the Pride and Prejudice was first published.
Peter Rabbit 50p
The Peter Rabbit collectable coin is available to buy from the Royal Mint.
Benjamin Bunny 50p
Benjamin Bunny was released earlier this year (2017).
Tom Kitten 50p
Tom Kitten was released earlier this year (2017).
Jeremy Fisher 50p
Jeremy Fisher was released earlier this year (2017).
Now read:
118 brand new emojis are on the way - Including a phoenix, lime & shaking head
12 surprisingly low calorie chocolate bars
How to get a whopping 59 DAYS of leave using only 28 in 2025