Posts by Holly
100 Years of Winnie the Pooh: Discover the Brand-New UK 50p Coins
Oh, bother… it’s the return we’ve all been waiting for!
Winnie the Pooh is back on UK coinage with a heart-warming three-coin 50p series celebrating the beloved bear’s 100th birthday. And it’s every bit as charming as you’d hope!
First introduced by A.A. Milne in 1926, Winnie-the-Pooh – followed by The House at Pooh Corner in 1928 – has captured the imaginations of generations. For nearly a century, Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood have shared timeless tales of kindness, loyalty and friendship with fans around the world.
Now, those treasured stories are being celebrated once more on brand-new UK 50p coins. Featuring the classic Disney-style illustrations we all know and love, each coin in the series beautifully brings to life the magic of Pooh and his friends – and the themes that have made these stories so special for 100 years. All three coins have now officially been released by The Royal Mint.
A Celebration of Kindness
The first coin in the series honours one of Pooh’s most endearing qualities – Kindness.
Created in partnership with The Walt Disney Company, the adorable reverse design shows Winnie the Pooh in his iconic red top, holding a delightful bouquet of flowers. It’s a design that perfectly captures his gentle, thoughtful nature – and is sure to melt hearts everywhere.
A Celebration of Loyalty
The second coin in the series has just been released – and this time, it’s celebrating another of Pooh’s most cherished qualities – Loyalty.
The charming reverse design shows Winnie the Pooh walking hand in hand with Christopher Robin, a touching tribute to one of literature’s most enduring friendships. It’s a scene that perfectly captures the trust, companionship and unwavering bond at the heart of the Hundred Acre Wood.
A Celebration of Friendship
The third and final coin in the series has now been released – and this time, it celebrates the value that has defined Winnie the Pooh’s stories for 100 years – Friendship.
The delightful reverse design features Winnie the Pooh alongside Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger, bringing together four of the Hundred Acre Wood’s most cherished characters. A touching tribute to friendship, it perfectly captures the warmth, companionship and sense of belonging that have made these timeless stories beloved by generations.
Not the First Adventure in the Hundred Acre Wood…
This isn’t the first time our favourite “silly old bear” has appeared on a UK 50p.
Back in 2020, The Royal Mint delighted collectors with a 9-coin Winnie the Pooh 50p collection, released over three years. Designed by The Walt Disney Company and featuring the original E.H. Shepard illustrations from A.A. Milne’s beloved books, the series was an instant hit.
The very first coin – showing Pooh sitting beside an overturned pot of honey – marked Winnie the Pooh’s debut on a UK coin. Demand was extraordinary, with all 18,000 silver proof coins selling out in less than 12 hours!
With such a strong collecting history, it’s no surprise that the 2026 Winnie the Pooh series is already creating a buzz!
Secure Your Winnie the Pooh Friendship 50p Today
Secure the final coin in the series for just £10.99 (+p&p) today >>
Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Hundred Acre Wood magic.
Did You Miss the First Two Issues? Secure Them Here
Start your collection and secure the first coin in the series for just £10.99 (+p&p) today >>
Secure the second coin in the series for just £10.99 (+p&p) today >>
Your Scarcity Index Update: Which Coins Are Holding Strong and Who’s Climbing?
Our latest Scarcity Index update has landed – and it’s the very first update since we introduced our brand-new Indexes!
As always, the Change Checker Scarcity Index combines official mintage figures with real-time collector demand and circulation data, all carefully reviewed by our experts before release. The result? A clear snapshot of which coins are proving the hardest to find in your change right now.
So, which coins are holding strong – and which are making moves?
Let’s jump right in…
50p Scarcity Index
Since our last review, the 50p rankings have stayed impressively steady – with two familiar heavyweights continuing to lead the charge.
The 2023 Salmon 50p once again claims first place on our Scarcity Index. With an incredibly low circulation mintage of just 200,000, it remains the rarest circulating 50p ever released. If you’re lucky enough to spot one in your change, you’ve found something truly special!
Close behind is the iconic 2009 Kew Gardens 50p, holding firmly onto second place. With its tiny mintage of 210,000, it held the title of rarest UK 50p for 15 years and is still one of the most exciting coins a collector can uncover.
Peter Rabbit Hops Ahead
One of the few shifts in this update sees the 2018 Peter Rabbit 50p leap ahead of the 2018 Flopsy Bunny 50p.
Interestingly, both coins share the same circulation mintage of 1,400,000. But scarcity isn’t determined by mintage alone. Collector demand plays a huge role – and Peter Rabbit, as Beatrix Potter’s most famous character, consistently attracts strong interest.
It’s a brilliant reminder that popularity can be just as powerful as low mintage when it comes to climbing the Scarcity Index.
Football Continues to Score
The Olympic Football 50p remains firmly in the upper ranks and is looking increasingly elusive in circulation.
With a mintage of just 1,125,500, it is the rarest London 2012 Olympic 50p design. And with the FIFA World Cup 2026 on the horizon, excitement around football-themed collectables is building – potentially driving even more interest in this clever offside-rule design.
If you’re just getting started with coin collecting and want to learn more about the 50p coins in your change, you can explore our fact files here >>
Otherwise, let’s take a look at the £2 rankings…
£2 Scarcity Index
Much like the 50ps, the £2 rankings show a strong sense of stability this time around.
The 2002 Commonwealth Games £2 coins continue to dominate the top four positions.
With exceptionally low mintages – particularly the Northern Ireland £2, which saw just 485,500 coins struck for circulation – it’s no surprise they remain firmly at the top. Add to that the fact that collectors aim to secure the full set of four, and demand stays consistently high.
A Position Swap in the Top Five
The biggest change this update sees the First World War (Navy) £2 edge ahead of the 2015 Britannia £2, with the two coins swapping places.
Both were issued in 2015 with identical circulation mintages of 650,000, but the Navy £2 continues to generate conversation – largely thanks to its famous “flag” quirk.
The original design features a battleship with a clean mast. However, sharp-eyed collectors began noticing that on some coins, what appears to be a small flag can be seen flying from the top.
This sparked huge excitement, with many wondering whether two different versions had entered circulation. It was later confirmed that the “flag” was not part of the intended design, but likely the result of a cracked die during minting.
Even so, it remains one of the most talked-about modern £2 coins – and that ongoing interest is reflected in its Scarcity Index position.
Moving further down the Index…
Beyond the top rankings, many familiar favourites are holding their ground. One standout further down the list is the 2016 Great Fire of London £2.
Its dramatic reverse shows the London skyline engulfed in flames, with the inscription “THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON” above and the dates 1666–2016 below. From the sweeping smoke to the historic buildings consumed by the blaze, the intricate detailing makes it one of the most visually striking £2 designs in circulation.
Even more impressive? This was Aaron West’s first commemorative UK coin design – a remarkable achievement for a debut release.
Whether the top spots remain firmly claimed or a surprise contender starts climbing the ranks, one thing’s certain – the hunt for UK coins is far from over.
As collectors continue checking their change and demand evolves, we’ll be watching closely to see which coins make their move in our next Scarcity Index update.
So keep searching… your next great find could be closer than you think!
How much are my coins worth?
The Scarcity Index doesn’t necessarily equate to value, but it is certainly a good indicator. You can use our 6 point guide to help you determine a more realistic value for your coins.
What about 10p Coins?
As no new commemorative 10ps have entered circulation since the A–Z of Great Britain 10ps in 2018 and 2019, we’re now able to set the 10p Scarcity Index in stone. With no further releases, the rankings won’t change from this point on.
You can view the final A-Z 10p Scarcity Index at the bottom of this blog.
What about £1 Coins?
The £1 Scarcity Index has already been published for the Round £1 coins. Because they are also no longer being issued, this is now set in stone.
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Could Your Change Be Worth More? Your February 2026 eBay Tracker Update
If you’ve ever tipped your loose change onto the table and wondered “Could this actually be worth something?”, you’re not alone. From elusive 50ps to modern error coins and historic first-issue banknotes, some of the UK’s most exciting collectibles are still hiding in everyday change.
Of course, there’s no single, definitive price when it comes to valuing coins and banknotes. But one of the best ways to get a realistic idea is by looking at what collectors are actually paying on the secondary market.
We’ve analysed recent completed listings to uncover how the most sought-after UK coins and banknotes are performing today – so you don’t have to scroll endlessly through auction pages yourself.
eBay Tracker Update
W for World Wide Web 10p
The A–Z of Great Britain 10p series has been a collector favourite since its debut in 2018, but one coin stands above the rest when it comes to scarcity.
The 2019 “W” for World Wide Web 10p has the lowest mintage of the entire series, at just 63,000 coins.
Our February eBay Tracker shows a median selling price of around £7, representing a 49% increase since our previous update. For a coin with a face value of just 10p, that’s an extraordinary jump – and a powerful reminder that even the smallest change can be a hidden treasure.
The First King Charles III Banknotes
The first King Charles III banknotes officially entered circulation on 5 June 2024. As the very first notes to feature the new monarch, they mark a major moment in British numismatic history – and have attracted strong collector interest from day one.
The standout performer this month is the King Charles III £10 note, which has seen its median selling price rise by over 50% since our last update, an impressive increase in a relatively short space of time. That rise reflects more than short-term interest. As a first-issue note tied to a once-in-a-generation change in British coinage and banknotes, the King Charles III £10 is already proving itself as a key modern collectible – and one that many collectors are keen to secure for their collections.
Undated 20p
Few coins capture collector imagination quite like the Undated 20p. With no official mintage figure and ongoing mystery surrounding how many escaped into circulation, it has achieved near-legendary status.
According to our latest eBay Tracker, the Undated 20p has seen an increase in value. The median selling price now sits at £49.99, up £5.94 since our last report.
If you’ve been waiting for the “right moment” to add one to your collection, demand suggests the Undated 20p isn’t losing its appeal anytime soon.
2023 Salmon 50p
The 2023 Salmon 50p cemented its place in numismatic history when it was officially confirmed as the rarest UK 50p in circulation, with a mintage of just 200,000 – edging out the iconic Kew Gardens by 10,000 coins.
Since our last update, prices have cooled, with the median selling price dropping by around 40% to sit at £38. Even so, that’s nearly 80 times face value, which is an impressive return for a coin you could still spot in your change.
Kew Gardens 50p
The iconic 2009 Kew Gardens 50p may have lost its “rarest 50p” title, but it’s still one of the most sought-after coins in circulation.
According to our latest data, Kew Gardens 50ps are selling for around £110 on the secondary market. That’s only a modest 7% dip since our last update and further proof that this iconic 50p continues to hold its appeal with collectors.
2002 Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games £2
With a circulating mintage of just 485,500, the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games £2 remains the rarest £2 coin in circulation – yet it’s often overshadowed by flashier designs.
After more than two decades in circulation, many examples have already found permanent homes in collections. Those that do surface on eBay are currently selling for around £31, a £3.10 decrease since our last update, but still excellent value for such a scarce coin.
Valuation Index
Using the total price of the coins and banknotes tracked, the Valuation Index follows the rise and fall of their overall value, measured in points against the baseline set in January 2017.
Since our last update in August 2025, the Top 10 coins and banknotes on the eBay Tracker have seen an overall 11% decrease in value, reflecting recent shifts in the secondary market. Even so, many of these coins are still achieving prices far beyond their original face value – proving that hidden treasures could still be sitting in your spare change.
eBay Tracker FAQs
How does the eBay Tracker work?
The Change Checker eBay Tracker takes the last 9 sold prices on eBay and gives the median price achieved. By taking the median, rather than an average, we avoid skewing figures with excessively high or low prices.
Please note that the Change Checker eBay Tracker is only ever designed to be a guide as to prices achieved on eBay. Prices may vary depending on collector demand and the quality of the coin being sold. It does not provide any guarantee as to future values of coins.
My coin isn’t on the eBay Tracker
The eBay Tracker follows the movements of the top UK coins and banknotes, however if your coin doesn’t appear on the tracker you can use our 6 point guide to help determine the realistic value for your coin.
Find out more about your coins
If you’re interested in coin collecting, our Change Checker web app is completely free to use!
