General info
New circulation coin causes a shakeup! Your Scarcity Index Update…
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.
Receive new UK coins without the hassle of placing orders on the day of release!
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Don’t miss your chance to get ahead of the crowd and be one of the very first collectors to receive the latest UK new issue coins as soon as possible after their release.
The Royal Mint has just re-issued the FIRST EVER definitive £2 – with a twist!
The iconic UK definitive bi-metallic £2 has just been re-issued by The Royal Mint, celebrating 25 years since it first entered circulation!
Order your 2022 UK 25th Anniversary CERTIFIED BU £2 here >>
This brand new coin follows the design of the first definitive £2, the Technology £2. But eagle-eyed collectors will spot some very special features on this new issue…
25 years of our bi-metallic £2 celebrated with a new lenticular feature
In the centre of the original Technology £2, you’ll see the central lenticular area transform from four separate scrolls into eight intertwined scrolls, representing the Iron Age.
But, instead of eight scrolls, this re-issued bi-metallic £2 reveals the number ‘25’ when tilted – a clever way of celebrating the anniversary!
Last QEII Commemorative Bi-Metallic £2
The 25th anniversary of the £2 coin is confirmed to be the last UK commemorative bi-metallic £2 coin which features an effigy of Her Late Majesty.
This is sure to make this coin even more sought-after, as collectors rush to find the last UK coins with Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait on them.
Special dual-date
As well as the unique lenticular feature, this brand new £2 also features a special dual-date.
Featuring the original 1997 date on the reverse, and the 2022 date on the obverse, this coin becomes one of just a handful of UK coins to have a dual-date on its design.
Special Privy Mark
The obverse not only features Jody Clark’s QEII portrait, but also includes a special privy mark in the form of the central Iron Age circle.
Order your 2022 UK Bi-Metallic Re-issued 25th Anniversary CERTIFIED BU £2 here >>
Sell out history
Plus, this year has already seen £2 coin SELL OUTS. On the day the 150th Anniversary of the FA Cup £2 launched, limited edition specifications SOLD OUT within mere hours!
Make sure you get your hands on the 2022 UK 25th Anniversary CERTIFIED BU £2 by ordering yours here >>
The favourite UK £2 coin – voted by you!
Earlier this year, we asked Change Checkers which bi-metallic £2 design was their favourite. Can you guess which one came out on top? Find out here >>
The Scarcest Bi-metallic £2 coins
Plenty of popular bi-metallic £2 coin designs have gone into circulation since 1997, but the most scarce £2 coin is the 2002 Commonwealth Games NI £2.
With a mintage figure of just 485,500, this coin is particularly hard to spot in your change. Find out more about this coin here >>
£2 ‘errors’
You may also spot £2 ‘errors’ in your change too, although these are very rare. They can occur when striking the bi-metallic coins, which has a very specific process. If you’d like to learn more about error and mis-strike coins, click here >>
The re-issued bi-metallic £2 coin is sure to be a hit with collectors. What is your favourite £2 from the last 25 years?
Order your 2022 UK Bi-Metallic Re-Issued 25th Anniversary CERTIFIED BU £2 here >>
2022 Change Checker Awards NOW OPEN!
We’re delighted to announce the 2022 Change Checker Awards, in association with All About Coins, are now OPEN!
The Change Checker Awards give collectors the chance to look back at all of the fantastic issues of the year whilst celebrating the very best coin collectors out there.
We’re looking for the 2022 Change Checker of the Year and the 2022 Junior Change Checker of the year and we need your help!
Watch our video below, or continue reading to find out how to enter…
Change Checker and Junior Change Checker of the Year
This year, our Change Checker Awards entry requirements are slightly different.
In tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we’re asking you to submit photos of your complete coin collections from the past 70 years.
Whether you’ve got a complete Beatrix Potter 50p collection, a full definitive date run, or perhaps you think you have the most interesting collection out there, we want to hear from you!
Submissions to the 2022 Change Checker Awards – now open!
Submit your entry or an entry on behalf of a Junior Change Checker, by sending a photo of your collection, along with your name, to [email protected] before 2nd of December 2022.
Entries will be judged by our panel and the results will be announced on the 8th December.
The victorious Change Checker and Junior Change Checker of the Year will each win an exclusive Change Checker Trophy, a bundle of goodies worth £50, as well as a year’s subscription to Coin Collector magazine.
UK Coin Design of the Year
To celebrate a fantastic year in UK coins, we’re also asking you to vote for your favourite issue:
Your winning design will be revealed in our YouTube video on 8th December. Come back then to find out which coin has been voted Top Coin of 2022!
Best of luck, Change Checkers!
