Rare Royal Mint Blue Peter 50p coin sells for £220 on eBay

The sought-after “Blue Peter” 50p, created to mark the London 2012 Olympic Games, recently fetched £220 on eBay after attracting 10 bids. Another example of the coin has previously sold for as much as £286.

Designed by Florence Jackson, the winning entrant of a Blue Peter competition, the coin features a high jump athlete and was first released in 2009 ahead of the London Olympics.

Although around 20,000 of the coins were minted, they were never officially released into general circulation. Despite this, collectors believe many have since entered everyday use, meaning some could still be sitting unnoticed in loose change across the UK.

(Image: PA)

The coins were originally sold for £1.09, but their rarity and Olympic connection have significantly boosted their value among collectors.

Experts say anyone with old 50p coins should check their designs carefully, as rare editions like the Blue Peter coin can be worth far more than their face value.

Five Incredibly Rare and Valuable British Coins

What makes a coin valuable?

The 50 pence piece has become the most valued and collected coin in the UK, with many collectable designs appearing on its heptagonal canvas.

Its 27.5mm diameter makes it the largest of any British coin, and allows space for decorative pictures. It has often been used to celebrate big events over the past 50 years of British history.

The rarest coins tend to be of the greatest value, with the mintage (number of coins with each design made) being the fundamental attraction for collectors.

Along with the design, other aspects of the coin which increase value are the condition of the coin and whether it has an error in its design.

The way in which it is sold can also determine the coin’s value – while some coin collectors will bid vast amounts of money on eBay or at auction, others opt for more robust valuations by selling via a coin dealer.

Royal Mint top 10 most valuable 50p coins

Here is a list of the top 10 most valuable coins, when they were made and how many were minted:

1. Atlantic Salmon (2023), 200,000
2. Kew Gardens (2009), 210,000
3. Olympic Wrestling (2011), 1,129,500
4. Olympic Football (2011), 1,161,500
5. Olympic Judo (2011), 1,161,500
6. Olympic Triathlon (2011), 1,163,500
7. Peter Rabbit (2018), 1,400,000
8. Flopsy Bunny (2018), 1,400,000
9. Olympic Tennis (2011), 1,454,000
10. Olympic Goalball (2011), 1,615,500