Iconic building to look out for on your 50p coin as one sells for 300 TIMES its worth after sparking fierce eBay war
Share:
LOOK out for this building on your 50p coin as one savvy seller has flogged theirs for 300 times its worth. The coin sold for a whopping £135 on January 16 - it features an architectural masterpiece which lies in London's famous Kew Gardens. The 50p coin, which could earn you hundreds of pounds, features Kew Gardens' iconic Chinese Pagoda.
![[Undated handout photo issued by the Royal Mint of the 2019 Kew anniversary 50p coin, which has been revealed as one of the rarest 50p coins in circulation ahead of the 50th anniversary of decimalisation. PA Photo. Issue date: Tuesday February 2, 2021. The famous Kew Gardens 50p remains the most coveted coin in circulation, with a mintage of just 210,000, the Mint said. See PA story MONEY Coins. Photo credit should read: Royal Mint/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/MONEY-Coins-12450101jpg-JS633949243.jpg?strip=all&w=702)
The Chinese Pagoda, a Grade 1 listed building was constructed in 1761 as a gift for Princess Augusta of Wales. It also features a "decorative leafy climber twining in and around the tower". Along with the markings 1759 - to represent when the gardens were founded - and 2009 - for when the coin entered circulation.
![[A stack of fifty pence coins on a white background.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/000020890546_Fulljpg-JS964413453_91c4fc.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
One savvy seller took to eBay to flog their 2009 coin. It sparked an eBay bidding war, with 13 eager collectors desperate to snap it up. The lucky new owner was sent it in a display box. When it comes to bidding on eBay, the seller tends to set a starting price and buyers place bids to compete with eachother.
The highest bidder wins the auction and bags the item. Originally put into circulation by The Royal Mint, the coin brought recognition to the British Landmark and commemorated 250 years since the botanical gardens opened. Some of these coins have been known to sell for up to £700 on eBay.
The Royal Mint describes it as "arguably the most sought-after". Only 210,000 of these coins were released, making it pretty rare. By comparison, a whopping 10million Brexit 50p coins were minted. This scarcity adds to the value of the Kew Gardens 50p. Its low mintage has helped the coin rank as one of the top 10 rarest coins in circulation, according to the Royal Mint.
