‘Rare’ 50p coin marking historic celebration is being sold for £10,000 on eBay – the key details to look for
A “RARE” 50p coin has hit eBay with a whopping £10,000 price tag – and now collectors are scrambling to check their change.
The coin, is said to mark a significant national celebration and has drawn attention for its sky-high listing.
Released by the Royal Mint in 2006, the coin commemorates 150 years since the creation of the Victoria Cross medal, Britain’s highest honour for military bravery.
Two designs were issued: one featuring the medal itself, and the other showing a soldier carrying a wounded comrade to safety.
The Victoria Cross was first awarded during the Crimean War and has remained a powerful symbol of heroism.
The coin was part of a special release to honour those who have shown outstanding courage in battle.
While collectors often believe these coins are rare, the Royal Mint says a combined 22,087,500 of them were put into circulation, meaning there’s still a decent chance of finding one in your spare change.
According to a report by the Eastern Daily Press, the seller has listed the 2006 Victoria Cross Coin- which honours Britain’s highest military bravery medal – for £10,086.72 on the auction site.
In their description, the seller wrote: “Add this circulated 50p coin to your collection to celebrate the bravery of Victoria Cross recipients.
“This coin is a great addition to any collection and is perfect for those interested in British history and military honours.”
The coin is marked as “ungraded and uncertified”, meaning it hasn’t been professionally appraised.
Collectors usually pay top prices for coins in mint condition or with an official grading, so the value of this listing may come down to personal interest or sentiment.
Some sellers on eBay list coins for high prices in hopes that a keen buyer will pay a premium, but it doesn’t always mean the coin is worth that amount.
It’s important to compare with similar listings and see what items have actually sold for.
The Royal Mint has released dozens of 50p designs over the years, many of which have become popular with hobbyists and seasoned collectors alike.
Coins linked to key moments in British history or iconic figures tend to attract the most attention.
The Kew Gardens 50p, issued in 2009, is widely considered the “holy grail” of coin collecting due to its limited run of just 210,000 coins.
Because of its scarcity, it regularly sells for over £140 and has even reached prices of £700.
Another standout is the Blue Peter 50p, designed by nine-year-old Florence Jackson.
Released ahead of the 2012 Olympics, it features a childlike drawing of a high jumper and has gone for over £200 at auction.
Olympic-themed coins remain especially collectible. The 2012 Football 50p, known for its diagram explaining the offside rule, has a strong following and has sold for up to £24.
More recently, the King Charles III Atlantic Salmon 50p, launched in 2023, has made a splash with collectors.
With its new royal portrait and striking wildlife design, it has been fetching upwards of £85 online.
There’s also value in unusual minting errors, which can make an ordinary coin instantly more desirable.
Misprints, off-centre designs or double striking can turn everyday change into valuable finds.
Experts always recommend checking sites like Change Checker or the Royal Mint’s collector page to learn more about the coins in your wallet.
These resources offer guides, mintage figures and a scarcity index to help buyers and sellers know what’s genuinely rare.
And it’s not just coins raking in the cash.
Banknotes with rare or significant serial numbers can sell for thousands.
A Jane Austen £10 note with a birth year serial made headlines after selling for £3,600.
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