Posts Tagged ‘Coin collection’
The UK’s Top 10 Rarest Coins in Circulation
Which coins should you be looking out for in your change?
We’ve taken a look at the mintage figures for UK coins to find out which ones are the rarest in circulation...
What you might be surprised by is that on our top 10 list, just 1 out of the 10 coins is a 50p!
The rarest UK coin currently in circulation is the Kew Gardens 50p, but the 9 rarest coins after that are actually £2s.
Whilst 50p coins are very popular amongst collectors at the moment, it’s certainly worth noting that it is in fact the £2 coins which you should be keeping your eyes peeled for, as some of the ones you can find in your change are very rare.
Other rare coins to look out for
Of course, this doesn’t take into account the rare error coins that have been found in circulation, such as:
- 2015 inverted effigy Britannia £2
- Olympic Aquatics 50p error
- Bronze 20p error
- Silver 2p error
- Undated 20p mule
Whilst exact mintage figures for these error coins may be unknown, we can assume that they could each be rare enough to find themselves near the top of the list.
A-Z of Great Britain 10p coins
It’s also worth noting that whilst mintage figures for the individual designs haven’t been released, if we assume that each A-Z of Great Britain 10p has been struck in equal quantities, then there would be approximately 281,000 of each design.
This would put each A-Z 10p design in equal second place on the list of the top 10 rarest coins in circulation!
What about the coins no longer in circulation?
Currently the Kew Gardens 50p is the rarest coin in circulation, but did you know that it isn’t actually the UK’s rarest 50p?
This title goes to the 1992/93 UK EC Presidency 50p, with a mintage of just 109,000 – almost half of the Kew Gardens!
In 1997, 50p coins were redesigned in the smaller specification and this coin was demonetised, meaning it is no longer in circulation.
The same can be said of the 1989 Claim of Right £2, which was demonetized in 1997 when the bi-metallic £2 coin was introduced.
This coin has a mintage of 381,400 which makes it the rarest UK £2 and would put it in second place on the list if it were still in circulation.
Are you lucky enough to have any of the top 10 rarest coins in your collection? Or perhaps you’ve even been lucky enough to get your hands on the pre-1997 coins listed above. Let us know in the comments below!
If you’re interested in coin collecting, our Change Checker web app is completely free to use and allows users to:
– Find and identify the coins in their pocket
– Collect and track the coins they have
– Swap their spare coins with other Change Checkers
Sign up today at: www.changechecker.org/app
New Pence Two Pence – how much is the 1983 2p worth?
When the UK switched to decimal coinage in 1971, it was decided that the word ‘new’ would be included in the denomination on some of our coins to avoid confusion between the new decimal coinage and the old currency.
By 1982 the coins were no longer new so the word was dropped, and the 2p design changed from ‘New Pence’ to ‘Two Pence’.
A common misconception is that all ‘New Pence’ coins are rare, but in fact almost 1.5 billion of these coins were initially issued in 1971 and circulating mintage figures from decimalisation to 1981 (after which the design changed) are actually all in the hundreds of millions:
As you can see from the chart above, no 2p coins were issued for circulation between 1972 and 1974, so if you find one of these in your change it will actually be taken out of a Proof set, not intended for circulation.
1983 ‘New Pence’ Error 2p
After the design changed from ‘New Pence’ to ‘Two Pence’ in 1982, a mistake was made during production of a small number of 1983 coins…
These coins were actually struck with the old inscription – ‘New Pence’.
Whilst it’s not known exactly how many of these error coins were struck, in 1983 2p coins were only struck for commemorative sets and not issued for circulation. Evidence seems to suggest that affected coins were issued as part of special souvenir sets that also did not enter general circulation – although if these sets were broken open and spent then you could be in with the chance of finding one in your change…
How much is it worth?
If you’re lucky enough to find a 1983 ‘New Pence’ 2p in your change, not only does the rarity of this coin make it more collectable, but the coin was also struck in uncirculated quality – meaning it won’t have the scratches and blemishes of circulation coins.
This means a collector would most likely be willing to pay a little more to get hold of one on the secondary market.
The individual 1983 2p coin has been known to sell for £500 – £700, however the 1983 coin sets have been known to sell for over £1,000 on the secondary market!
If you do decide to look for this coin on the eBay and other secondary market sites, beware of fraudsters looking to pass off a ‘New Pence’ 2p from any other date as a rare coin.
The image below shows a 1971 2p coin listed for £2,000! Although this coin might be considered more collectable as it was the first UK 2p ever issued, this also means that nearly 1.5 billion 1971 2p coins were struck, making it the most common 2p coin issued.
Remember that it’s the 1983 version of the coin which was struck in error and this is the one you should be looking out for.
Have you ever come across a 1983 ‘New Pence’ 2p coin? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’re interested in coin collecting, our Change Checker web app is completely free to use and allows users to:
– Find and identify the coins in their pocket
– Collect and track the coins they have
– Swap their spare coins with other Change Checkers
Sign up today at: www.changechecker.org/app
Paddington’s London adventure continues – new coins revealed!
Today’s the day we’ve all been waiting for, as two BRAND NEW 2019 UK Paddington™ 50p coins have finally been revealed!
Since the Royal Proclamation on the 11th April, Change Checkers have eagerly been awaiting the release of these new coins and I’m sure you’ll agree that they are well worth the wait.
The designs feature Britain’s best-loved bear at some of London’s most iconic attractions – the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Straight from the darkest Peru and into your pockets!
In 1958, Paddington made his way to London, straight from the darkest Peru…
In June 2018 (for his 60th birthday) Paddington was spotted sat on his suitcase beside the trains at Paddington Station and later that year the bear was back, this time proudly waving a Union Jack Flag outside Buckingham Palace.
These coins from 2018 can be found in your change and added to your UK 50p coin collection – but have you been lucky enough to find them?
Paddington’s adventure now continues as these latest designs by David Knapton show the bear in two new London landmarks.
And the best news is, The Royal Mint have confirmed that the first coin will also be entering circulation from August!
Let us know if you’re lucky enough to come across any in your change…
Paddington at the Tower of London
This is the first Paddington coin to be released in 2019.
David Knapton’s design, based on the CGI live-action movie, shows the adorable bear outside the Tower of London, enjoying his favourite food – marmalade sandwiches!
If you can’t wait to get your hands on this new coin, it is now available to secure in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
Paddington at St Paul’s Cathedral
The second Paddington 50p to be released this year will feature the charming bear outside St Paul’s Cathedral.
David Knapton has really captured the friendly nature of Bond’s character as he doffs his little hat in greeting to you.
This coin won’t be released until the 12th September, but is is available to pre-order now if you want to own it in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
The 50p collecting craze!
50p coin collecting has become more popular than ever, especially since the release of much-loved characters such as Peter Rabbit, The Snowman and of course Paddington!
Last year’s Paddington 50p coins were hugely popular and I’m sure that these new designs will be just as sought-after.
I’m certainly very excited to by the 2019 Paddington coins and can’t wait for when we will start seeing them in our change!
Give this bear a home!
This loveable bear is looking for a home and if you’d like to take him in, you can order the 2019 Complete Paddington 50p Pack to own both coins in Brilliant Uncirculated quality today.
