A 50p coin has sold for a huge 310 times its face value after sparking a bidding war on eBay. The money piece was minted in 2009, issued to mark the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens. It bears the iconic Chinese Pagoda on one side and a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II on the other. With only about 210,000 produced by The Royal Mint, it is sought after by collectors.
Experts estimate the coin is worth around £145, meaning this lucky eBay seller made an extra profit, selling theirs at £155. Bidding for the item, which was listed as "2009 Genuine Kew Gardens 50p Coin In Very Good Circulated Condition *Rare Find*", started at just 1p.
But as a 34-way bidding war ensued, the price roses and rose, before finally the coin sold for £155. The final bid, placed on Sunday, January 5, also included a £2.70 postage fee for tracked delivery by Royal Mail. Coin experts believe hundreds of thousands of these Kew Gardens coins are still out there, meaning it could be well worthwhile to check your pockets, wallets, and even down sofas. If you do find a Kew Gardens 50p, though, the first thing you should do is check the date on it.
This is because the Royal Mint issued a second batch of the coins in 2019 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 50p. These versions don't usually fetch as high a price, but they have been known to sell for around £70 or £80 on eBay. Get our daily royal round-up direct to your inbox.
