Shoppers told to check their change as rare 50p coin sells for 250 times its value

SHOPPERS have been told to keep an eye on their loose change incase this elusive 50p that sells for 250 times its face value crops up. This rare coin has been soaring in price on eBay and might be down the back of your sofa. In 2009 the Kew Gardens coin was released to mark the 250th anniversary of the historic botanical garden in southwest London which opened in 1759. Highly prized by collectors, the celebrated Kew Gardens coin has skyrocketed in great demand since its release.

The Royal Mint released around 210,000 copies of the coin which makes it one of the rarest coin available. One side of the coin shows a the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse showcases the Chinese Pagoda at the Royal Botanic Gardens, surrounded by two intertwining stems. If you happen to stumble across a Kew Gardens 50p in your pocket, or tucked away in your glovebox, it could fetch far more than its face value.

At 350 times its original value, it’s definitely one to save rather than spend. On eBay, one lucky seller attracted 20 bids on the coin before selling it for £139. It was once considered the rarest coin in the UK, with only a limited number in circulation following its production. Today, the title of rarest coin is believed to belong to a 50p featuring the Atlantic Salmon and bearing the King's portrait.

One of the most common types of coins to collect are 50p pieces. This is due to their large surface area, as there is enough space to add designs to. With a 27.5mm diameter, it's the biggest British coin and is used to celebrate big events like anniversaries, historical occasions, or sport fixtures. During the Olympics, a range of themed 50p coins were printed - with the Aquatics 50p reaching up to an eye-watering £2,000 in auction.

This coin jumped in price due to an initial design error, which was quickly corrected, leading to very few misprints in circulation. Mistakes make a coin unique as they will most likely be worth more, as there a fewer of them. Even without a design error, if a coin has a low mintage there are fewer of them in circulation and so are deemed rare. By and large, the rarer the coin the more valuable they are to collectors.

Handy auction websites like eBay, Facebook marketplace, or trading apps can be easy to use - but there are risks. Even though these sites are somewhat regulated, fraudsters may try and target sellers by asking to purchase the item and ask for money upfront for a courier. You might find yourself waiting for them to show up as they're only claiming to use a courier to nab some cash. Links, payment URLs and transaction portals sent online are also risky and it's advisable to meet up face to face.