How scarce are your coins? Here’s our latest Scarcity Index update!
The first Change Checker Scarcity Index update of 2018 is here. The 50p and £2 Scarcity Indexes have been compiled using data from the first three months of the year.
We’ve added a new feature to help you track the performance of your coins. The arrows signify how many places, up or down, a coin has moved on the Scarcity Index; any coins with a yellow star are making their first appearance after having been released into circulation.
50p Scarcity Index
Kew Gardens remains the most scarce UK 50p coin which is not surprising with a mintage figure of just 210,000. There are a number of coins which have moved up the index quite significantly, such as Shooting, Pentathlon and Hockey, all part of the 2012 Olympic series. Also, Triathlon moves it into the top 3, replacing Judo.
Sailing and Wheelchair Rugby, part of the same series, have not performed as well and both have move down 5 places.
Jeremy Fisher makes its debut in our Scarcity Index with a score of 14, making it the third scarcest Beatrix Potter coin behind Jemima Puddle-Duck and Tom Kitten.
£2 Scarcity Index
There’s not a huge amount of movement in this quarter’s update and also no new coins have been added. The 2017 WW1 Aviation and Jane Austen £2 coins are yet to enter circulation.
The Commonwealth Games Wales coin retains its spot at the top of the £2 Scarcity Index with Scotland moving up to 2nd. Interestingly Northern Ireland drops down to 4th place due to far less swap demand than the other 3 coins in the 2002 Commonwealth Games series. In fact, in this quarter, the Northern Ireland coin was requested to swap almost 50% less than the Wales, Scotland or England.
There’s a particularly strong performance from the Florence Nightingale and Paddington Station coins, each moving up 7 places.
The First World War Centenary (Army) is the worst performing coin, moving down three places.
What about the A to Z 10p coins?
Unfortunately, at present, there is simply not enough data to accurately compile an A to Z 10p Scarcity Index. However, we have a few early indicators to show which 10p coins may become the most scarce in future.
The three A to Z 10p coins that most people have in their collection are B-Bond, A-Angel of the North and H-Houses of Parliament. As people are struggling to find these coins in their change, the majority of coins in people’s collections would have been ‘Early Strike’ coins that they have purchased. Therefore this would indicate that, at this stage, these three designs are amongst the most desirable.
The three A to Z 10p coins that most people are looking to add to their collection are E-English Breakfast, A-Angel of the North and F-Fish and Chips. Interestingly, A-Angel of the North appears on both lists meaning that, at this very early stage, it’s arguably the most popular A to Z 10p coin.
How the Scarcity Index works
Generally collectors have had to rely upon mintage figures to identify the scarcest coins. But they only tell part of the story. Trying to find a good quality coin from 15 – 20 years ago, even for a higher mintage issue, is much more challenging than a more recent issue, as coins become damaged over time and are ultimately removed from circulation.
Additionally, some designs are more hoarded than others by people who might not normally collect coins – the recent poignant First World War £2 Coin series being an example. Finally, it can be up to a couple of years before the Royal Mint eventually confirms the actual mintage for an issue.
That’s why we have combined the mintage information with two other key pieces of information.
- How many of each design are listed as “collected” by Change Checkers, indicating the relative ease of finding a particular coin.
- The number of times a design has been requested as a swap over the previous 3 months, showing the current level of collector demand.
Importantly, as new coins are released and popularity rises and falls across different designs the Scarcity Index will be updated quarterly allowing Change Checkers to track the relative performance of the UK’s circulation coins.
How much are my coins worth?
The Scarcity Index does not necessarily equate to value but it is certainly an effective indicator. For example, the Kew Gardens 50p coin commands a premium of up to 160 times face value on eBay.
What about £1 Coins?
The £1 Scarcity Index has already been published for the Round £1 coins and, because they are no longer being issued, this is now set in stone.
Hi there I have lots of different coins that I think might be worth something. How do I find out if they are? From 50p to 2 pound coins and I have some old 50p and 10p
i have a fish and chips 10p coin if anyone is interested in buying
i have got a new fish and chips 10p coin if anyone is willing to buy it email me at [email protected]
how do you tell England from Ireland
Hi Bill, It’s quite hard to spot, especially when the coin has been in circulation for a while but have a read of our blog which should help: https://www.changechecker.org/2017/07/20/how-to-identify-the-uks-rarest-2-coin/ Thanks Luke
Hi Change checker
You keep using my email to send me updates etc but when I try to log into your site with my email you tell me that it’s invalid.
Can you sort this out please??????
John
I have loads of rare £2, £1 and 5ops for sale, if any one is interested. What do I do with them? How can I sell them?
Hi Marty
What sort of coins do you have for sale and how much were you thinking of for them?
Look forward to your reply,
Zoe x
Do you have any 2017/2018 coins?
I have a battle of Hastings 50p coin dated 2016, can someone please tell me if its worth any thing or where do I take it to get its value or possibly sell it?
Thank you
I have a full set of round £1 coins 2 sets of 50ps with kew gardens full set of Olympic 50ps a full set of £2coins and lots of other coins as well including roman ,Victorian ilse of man. American silver dollars
How much for Kew Gardens please.
Did you receive the pics luke ?
Hi Jason, I have just sent you an email. Thanks Luke
I have a kew gardens 50p
Also have standing on shoulders £2 coin mentioned…
are you looking to get rid of your Kew gardens 50 p ??
How much for Kew Gardens 50p. Please
i have a 2 pence coin with out the queens head on it just blank the coin as only been stamped on one side
Well the puddle ducks will become worthless soon. Are they releasing a run of kew gardens next ?
Hi Chris
Not understanding your comment about puddle ducks? Why will they become worthless soon?
Am I being thick!?!??
Chris you shouldn’t mislead people by saying Jemima will be worthless soon, totally out of order and the comment is your opinion only, it is still the second most sort after 50p behind kew if you do not count 2012 Olympic coins.
Some of the coins got gold-plated and put back into circulation.
Any reason to why royal mint do a annual coin set then bring out more coins that year example Beatrix potter &2 pounds with planes on them ?
Yes !! It’s called running a profit making business !! Ching Ching keeps the buying public interested !
Have Jeremy Fisher 50 pences coins been released into circulation yet, thanks. Oldrock.
I have a lot of the Isle of Man 50p’s. The standard releases aswell as the Christmas Series and the TT races series too. I also collect Gibraltar 50p’s too. Do you have or can you possibly release scarcity charts for these too.
I would have thought you would have included the 2015 Britannia separately from the 2016 issue
Nice!
I would change a few things, though.
It’s not the “Steam locomotive” coin, it’s the Trevithick coin. Can’t hurt to use the correct Royal Mint names from their mintage figures.
Also, I would suggest the £2 Britannia showing up both available years, as the 2015 one is far more rare than the 2016 one.
Thanks!
How can I value a £2 coin that I have. I went to a coin fare and the coin was looked at and they said it’s definatley a real coin.
Hi Jason, Valuing a coin is difficult as it depends on so many variables. I wrote a blog on this subject which you may find useful: https://www.changechecker.org/2018/02/07/how-much-is-my-coin-worth-a-five-point-guide/ Thanks Luke
I read the link but the coin I have isn’t on thete nor is it on eBay. In fact I can’t find one in the web at all.
Hi Jason, which coin do you have? Please could you describe the design on the reverse plus the year and country (if it has it) and i’ll hopefully be able to give you some more information. Thanks Luke
It’s a 2010 standing on the shoulders of giants £2 coin but instead of being gold and silver it’s all gold colour. I can send pics in a email if you would like. Thanks
Hi Jason, yes- please send to [email protected]. Thanks Luke
Ok thanks I’ve just sent it.