What are the most valuable and rare coins in the UK?

What are the most valuable and rare coins in the UK?

Are you searching for valuable coins in the UK? Or, are you considering investing in rare coins to earn some extra cash?

In this article, we explore some of the rarest coins you should be on the lookout for and their estimated worth. Here are the rare and valuable coins in the UK:

What are the most valuable and rare UK coins?

• 1973 EEC Fifty Pence Coin – valued at £3,000
• 2012 London Olympics Aquatics Fifty Pence – valued at £1,500
• 1983 Two Pence “New Pence” Coin – valued at £500
• 2015 Silver Two Pence Coin – valued at £485
• 2009 Kew Gardens Fifty Pence Coin – valued at £170
• 2008 ‘Undated Twenty Pence Coin – valued at £50
• 2015 Britannia Two Pound Coin – valued at £50+
• 1992-1993 Single Market Fifty Pence Coin – valued at £45-£55

What is the history of coins in the UK?

Coins were first introduced as a form of payment around the 6th or 5th century BCE by the Lydians.

The first coins were made of an alloy of silver and gold known as electrum. Over time, gold and silver replaced electrum, and the value of the coin was linked to the value of the metal.

In the UK, coins were made up of 92.5% silver until 1920. The silver content was later reduced, and in 1947, silver was removed from all coins.

What makes a coin valuable?

A coin’s value is generally determined by its rarity. This does not necessarily mean that an old coin is valuable, as many of the rarest coins are those that were only minted in small numbers.

What are some of the most valuable coins in the UK?

Here are some of the most valuable coins in the UK:

Edward III Gold “Double Leopard” Florin (1344)

This coin was minted in 1344 and is not likely to be found in common circulation. A Gold Florin was found in the River Tyne in 1857 and sold privately for £460,000 in 2006.

George V Sovereign (1917)

This coin was minted in London during World War I and nearly 1 million were produced for the Bank of England.

However, nearly all the coins were exported to the USA to help pay for the war effort and are thought to have been melted down into bars. A George V Sovereign was sold for £11,000 at auction in 2012.

George V Penny (1933)

This coin is so rare because it is a “pattern coin”, a prototype that never went into production. There are only four of these coins in existence.

Edward VIII Brass Threepence (1936)

This was an experimental coin created after the death of King George V but was never mass-produced as Edward VIII abdicated before his coronation. It is believed that no more than 10 of these coins were created.

Which modern coins are considered rare?

Here are some modern coins that are considered rare:

European Economic Community Fifty Pence Coin (1973)

This fifty-pence piece was made to celebrate the UK joining the EEC and is estimated to be worth around £3,000 each. Only 5,000 of these coins were made and many were given to finance ministers and senior officials.

Elizabeth II Two Pence Coin (1983)

These coins are rare and valuable due to a technical glitch. In 1983, a batch of two pence coins was released with the wrong wording “New Pence” instead of the value of the coin.

The exact number of these “1983 Two Pence New Pence Coins” released is unknown, but they have sold for over £500 at auctions.

Elizabeth II Bank of England 300th Anniversary Two Pound Coin (1994)

The rare 1994 Elizabeth II Bank of England 300th Anniversary Two Pound Coin was minted to commemorate 300 years of the Bank of England.

With only 1,000 of these 22-carat gold proof coins in circulation, they are valued around £2,500. It’s worth noting that there are similar two pound coins, but they are far more common and not made of 22-carat gold.

Elizabeth II European Championships Gold Proof Two Pound Coin (1996)

To celebrate the 1996 football European Championships being held in the UK, the Royal Mint made just under 2,100 of these gold proof two pound coins.

Although not as rare as some of the other valuable coins, the Elizabeth II European Championships Gold Proof Two Pound Coin is still difficult to find.

They can be found for sale on websites, but they don’t last long and usually start at £790.

Elizabeth II Twenty Pence Piece (2008)

In 2008 and 2009, over 136 million 20 pence coins were minted.

However, in November 2008, a mistake at the mint resulted in just under 250,000 coins being produced without a date, making them highly collectible.

These “Undated Twenty Pence Coins” can sell for around £50.

Elizabeth II Kew Gardens Fifty Pence Coin (2009)

The Elizabeth II Kew Gardens Fifty Pence Coin was released in 2009 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of London’s Kew Gardens.

With only 210,000 of these coins released, many went straight to collectors, and they are currently valued at around £170.

Elizabeth II London Olympics Aquatics Fifty Pence Coin (2011)

The Elizabeth II London Olympics Aquatics Fifty Pence Coin was released in 2011 to celebrate the 2012 London Olympic Games.

However, the design was changed as the swimmer’s face could not be seen clearly, making the original design a rare find.

It’s estimated that this “First Design London Olympics Aquatics Fifty Pence Coin” could fetch £1,500.

Elizabeth II Silver Two Pence Coin (2015)

The Elizabeth II Silver Two Pence Coin, also known as a “mule” or “error” coin, is one of the rarest coins you can find.

A 10p blank was accidentally struck as a 2p coin at the mint, making this a unique and valuable find. This coin sold for £485.

Britannia Two Pound Coin (2015)

The Britannia Two Pound Coin, with only 650,000 coins minted, is rare but unlikely to be worth much more than face value.

However, a small minting error where the Queen’s head was printed with an almost 180-degree rotation has made this coin highly sought after by collectors.

The value of this “Inverted Britannia Two Pound Coin” can vary, with some selling for over £100 on eBay, while others sell for far less.

Single European Market Fifty Pence Coin (1992-1993)

The Single European Market Fifty Pence Coin was minted in 1992-1993 to celebrate the UK’s Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the completion of the Single European Market.

With only 109,000 of these coins in circulation, they are very rare and generally sell for between £45 and £55.

What is the best way to get a professional valuation for a rare UK coin?

The best way to determine the value of a rare UK coin is to get a professional valuation from a reputable numismatist or coin dealer.

To ensure you receive an accurate appraisal, it’s important to do your research and find a qualified expert in the field of numismatics.

You can start by contacting a local coin club or visiting a coin fair to meet with experienced coin collectors and dealers.

Additionally, online forums and websites specialising in coin collecting can also provide valuable information on finding a professional coin appraiser.

To maximise the value of your rare UK coin, it’s important to invest in a professional evaluation to determine its authenticity and worth.

What factors affect the value of rare UK coins?

The value of rare UK coins is influenced by a variety of factors, including:

Rarity:

The more scarce a coin is, the more valuable it is likely to be. Coins with low mintages or those that have been discontinued are often more valuable than common coins.

Condition:

Coins that are in excellent condition are generally more valuable than those that are damaged, scratched or otherwise not in good condition.

Age:

Older coins are often considered more valuable than newer coins, especially if they are in good condition.

Historical significance:

Coins that were minted during significant historical events or to commemorate important people or events can be more valuable.

Popularity:

Coins that are in high demand among collectors are often more valuable than those that are less sought after.

Metal content:

Coins that are made from precious metals, such as gold or silver, are generally more valuable than those made from other materials.

Error or variation:

Coins that have errors or variations can be highly sought after by collectors and can increase their value.

It’s important to note that the value of a rare UK coin can fluctuate over time and is dependent on market conditions.

It is always best to consult with a professional numismatist or coin dealer for a professional valuation.

Overview…

These are just some of the rare and valuable coins in the UK that collectors are seeking.

Keep your eyes peeled for any of these coins in your loose change and consider contacting a numismatist or visiting a coin fair to get a professional valuation if you think you may have found one of these rare finds.