Posts by Change Checker

It’s time for your latest Scarcity Index update, where we reveal the circulation coin causing a HUGE shakeup.

It’s your chance to discover the UK’s most sought-after circulation 10p, 50p, and £2 coins of the last three months!

This information has been compiled using data from the Change Checker Swap Centre and presented in the easy to use indexes below, with arrows to signify how many places up or down a coin has moved since the last Scarcity Index.

50p Scarcity Index

This quarter, it’s the circulation Pride 50p coin that has caused a huge Scarcity Index shakeup…

5 million Pride 50ps entered circulation in October, and it seems you’ve all been trying to get your hands on it as it’s climbed an astonishing 23 places!

If you’re new to the hobby and don’t know a lot about this coin, you can discover more here >>

Otherwise, stay with me as I’ll tell you the 50p to keep an eye on and the key movers on the 10p and £2 indexes!

The Wheelchair Rugby 50p has climbed up 16 places, putting it in the top 10 Scarcest 50ps in circulation.

And, with the first-ever King Charles III coin set to enter circulation next month, stay tuned for our next Scarcity Index update, where we’ll see its debut!

10p Scarcity Index

As we creep into the colder months, nothing beats an good cup of Tea to warm us up.

And things are certainly warming up on the 10p Index thanks to this coin.

The Tea 10p was first issued in 2018 as part of a 26-coin series celebrating all things Quintessentially British.

Another 10p to keep your eyes peeled for is the X Marks the Spot design. This has jumped up 17 places since our last Scarcity Index update.

A maximum of JUST 304,000 of each design entered circulation in 2018 and 2019, making them some of the most sought-after coins out there! So get checking your change for the A-Z 10p coins today!

£2 Scarcity Index

This quarter, we’ve seen the £2 index slow, with fewer moves. This is largely to be expected as we’ve not had a £2 coin enter circulation since 2016.

But, with a new era of UK coinage just around the corner, could we see a redesign of our £2 coins with King Charles III’s portrait on the obverse? Only time will tell.

But of course, the £2 remaining at the top of the Index is the 2002 Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland £2.

This coin has been in circulation for over 20 years but still remains a fan favourite. That’s because just 458,500 are out there.

Have you found this coin in your change? Let us know in the comments!

How your 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 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 200 times face value on eBay.

You can use the 6 point guide to help you determine a more realistic value for your coins.

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.

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