A rare 50p coin has recently sold on eBay for a staggering £133, nearly 300 times its original value. The coin, designed by 9-year-old Florence Jackson, features an image of an athlete clearing the high jump bar during the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Although over 20,000 coins were minted, they were never officially put into circulation, making them extremely rare.
Is there a goldmine in your change?
If you happen to stumble upon one of these rare coins, it could be worth a significant amount of money. The coin, originally worth £1.09, is now selling for much more. In fact, one recently listed on eBay sparked a 38-way bidding war and sold for an astonishing £133.26.
How to sell rare and valuable coins
If you're lucky enough to find one of these valuable coins, there are two main options for selling them. The first is through eBay, but it's important to be aware of the risks. Set a minimum price that is equal to or higher than the face value of the coin to protect yourself. Remember, even if your coin sells for a high price, there's no guarantee that the buyer will follow through with the purchase.
The second option is to sell the coin at auction. Contact a member of the British Numismatic Trade Association to help assess the value of your coin and determine if it's worth selling at auction. Keep in mind that there may be a fee for their services or they may take a percentage of the sale money.
If you're interested in selling your coin at auction, you'll likely need to visit the association in person with the coin for assessment. Sorting the members by county can be helpful in finding one near you.
So, check your pockets and start searching for that elusive 50p coin. You never know, you could be sitting on a small fortune!
