50p Coins
How rare is my Salmon 50p?
In October 2024, the 2023 Salmon 50p knocked the Kew Gardens 50p off the top spot and became the new rarest UK 50p in circulation! With a circulating mintage of just 200,000, there are 10,000 less 2023 Salmon 50ps in circulation than the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p, which has been the rarest UK 50p for the last 15 years.
Since the news, collectors have been rushing to find one in their change, but there has been some confusion over which version of the Salmon 50p is actually rare. Let us explain the difference between the different versions and clarify which Salmon 50p is the RAREST UK 50p!
2023 New UK Coinage Sets
The first time we saw the Salmon 50p was in the New UK Coinage set for King Charles III issued in October 2023, which featured 8 brand new designs – from the 1p to the £2 – to usher in the reign of King Charles III.
Each of the new designs featured iconic British wildlife in line with His Majesty’s keen interest in wildlife conservation and plant life.
Although we’d already seen several commemorative 50p, £2 and £5 coins issued bearing His Majesty’s effigy on the obverse, this was the first time we saw his portrait feature on the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and £1.
As well as brand new designs on both sides, these coins also featured a special ‘Privy Mark’ on the obverse – a small crown next to His Majesty’s effigy on the obverse.
This special feature was intended to set the coins in the set apart from those you’ll find in your change once they start to enter circulation.
It’s not yet been announced how many Salmon 50ps in New UK Coinage sets were issued for collectors, but it’s not the Brilliant Uncirculated Salmon 50p with the privy mark you should be looking out for…
Circulating 2023 Salmon 50p
In November 2023, it was announced that an estimated 500,000 2023 Salmon 50ps without the privy mark had entered circulation, and collectors rushed to their local post offices and banks to try and get their hands on one. People were struggling to come across a Salmon 50p in the wild, and it became apparent why almost a year later.
On 7th October 2024, it was announced that only 200,000 2023 Salmon 50ps entered circulation the previous year – less than half of the original estimated amount! That means just ONE in 335 people in the UK could have the chance of snagging one.
In fact, in a recent poll, just 30% of people surveyed said they’d been lucky enough to find a 2023 Salmon 50p in their change!
What about the 2024 and 2025 dated Salmon 50ps?
At the beginning of each year, The Royal Mint issues an Annual Coin Set which usually includes 5 commemorative coins from the year ahead and a full set of definitive coins dated that year. The Salmon 50ps that were issued as part of the 2024 and 2025 Annual Sets will not enter circulation and don’t feature the privy mark on the obverse.
Although it’s incredibly unlikely, if you do happen to come across a 2024 or 2025 dated Salmon 50p in your change, it will have most likely been broken out of an Annual Set and spent.
So how much is my Salmon 50p worth?
It’s worth remembering that it’s the circulation 2023 Salmon 50p without the privy mark that is the rarest UK 50p due to its low mintage figure, and it’s this version which will fetch you a pretty penny on the secondary market.
Some sellers have been listing the Brilliant Uncirculated 2023 Salmon 50p WITH the privy mark on the secondary market for hefty sums, however these are likely to have been broken out of the New UK Coinage Set and will not be one of 200,000 Salmon 50ps in circulation.
Our latest eBay Tracker update revealed that a circulating 2023 Salmon 50p could fetch more than £83 on the secondary market – a 477% increase since before the mintage figure announcement!
Have you caught a Salmon 50p?
Are you one of the lucky collectors who have already caught a 2023 Salmon 50p in your change? Let us know in the comments if you have and where you found it!
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Fasten your seatbelts, the Harry Potter Flying Car 50p is taking off!
Change Checkers, prepare to embark on a magical journey with the latest 50p from the world of witchcraft and wizardry – the 2025 UK Harry Potter: The Flying Car 50p.
Secure the 2025 UK Harry Potter: The Flying Car 50p for your collection >>
A spellbinding design
This enchanting coin captures the adventure of the memorable scene from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, where Harry and Ron soar above the British countryside in a bewitched Ford Anglia, racing towards Hogwarts.
The reverse design, by Bella Biggs, brings to life the moment when Harry and Ron take flight in the magical car after missing the Hogwarts Express. The illustration is sure to summon the feeling of excitement you felt when first reading or watching the second instalment in the Harry Potter series, and true Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss seeing this coin in the flesh!
Which scene from the Harry Potter stories would you like to see featured on a UK coin? Let us know in the comments!
Continuing the magical journey
The 2025 Harry Potter: The Flying Car 50p isn’t the first time the beloved wizard has featured on a UK coin…
The release follows the 2024 Harry Potter: The Black Lake 50p, illustrating the tense underwater task during the Triwizard Tournament from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Also issued in 2024 was the Harry Potter: The Winged Keys 50p, which depicted Harry’s skilful broomstick flying skills whilst chasing the enchanted flying key in Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone.
Not to be forgotten of course is the 4-coin 50p series featuring recognisable characters or locations from the stories, issued in 2022 and 2023 to celebrate 25 years since the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The very first coin featured Harry Potter himself, followed by the Hogwarts Express train, Professor Dumbledore and Hogwarts School.
These coins were extremely popular with collectors, so much so that they’re now all no longer available from The Royal Mint!
Don’t let this coin fly past you!
Given the popularity of previous Harry Potter themed coins, you should act quickly to secure this latest magical 50p for your collection.
Add the 2025 UK Harry Potter: The Flying Car 50p to your collection today >>
Three medals, two Kings, one incredible coin – The Stories of the Second World War 50p
The 2025 Stories of the Second World War 50p represents the impactful stories of those who lived through World War II, that will unfortunately soon fade from living memory. It also marks a historic first for British coinage, as it’s the first UK 50p to feature two different Kings – King George VI on the reverse and His Majesty King Charles III on the obverse!
Three Medals
The design on the Stories of the Second World War 50p was created by Timothy Noad with the assistance of Imperial War Museums, and depicts the medals awarded to millions who contributed to the cause. The medals featured include the 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal and War Medal, representing the countless unique experiences of the Second World War.
The 1939-45 Star (left) was awarded to personnel of the Navy, Army or RAF personnel who completed operational service overseas between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 (2 Sept 1945 in Far East). The medal is a 6 pointed star with the crowned royal cipher of George VI on the obverse and the reverse is blank as with all World War II stars.
Image Credit: Auckland Museum, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Defence Medal (centre) was awarded to military and civilian subjects of the British Commonwealth during the Second World War and bears the uncrowned coinage effigy of George VI on the obverse. On the reverse of the medal was the Royal crown atop an oak tree, flanked by two heraldic lions.
Credit: Robert Prummel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The War Medal (right) was the most common medal awarded to British and Commonwealth citizens who served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy during World War II. It features a crowned effigy of George VI on the obverse and a lion trampling on a monster with features of both an eagle and serpent on the reverse.
Credit: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Two Kings
Two of the three medals that features on the Stories of World War II 50p feature the effigy of King George VI, who was reigning monarch from 1936-1952 – the entirety of the Second World War. This, along with the portrait of King Charles III that features on the obverse of the coin, makes the first time ever that two different Kings have features on a UK 50p coin!
Two different Kings have previously featured on crowns, such as the 2023 King Charles I 1oz and the 2023 Charles II 1oz, however this is the first time in living memory – maybe even ever – that two different Kings have featured on the same 50p coins.
One incredible coin
The Second World War was a time when extraordinary courage and relentless effort came from all corners of the UK and the Commonwealth, forever shaping modern British society. From the battlefields to the home front, everyone played a role in the war effort—each story, a testament to resilience and unity.
These stories have been immortalised on the 2025 Stories of the Second World War 50p, preserving them for generations to come, and you can own a piece of history by securing it for your collection in Brilliant Uncirculated quality.
Our military history on UK coins
1994 D-Day 50p
The 1994 D-Day 50p was issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. This coin was originally issued in the larger 50p specification, meaning you’re no longer able to find it in your change. It was later re-issued in 2019 in the smaller 50p specification, however this version didn’t enter circulation.
Interestingly, the 1994 D-Day 50p was voted the all time favourite 50p coin by Change Checkers!
2024 D-Day 50p
30 years later in 2024, a new D-Day UK 50p was issued, this time marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The design was created by renowned sculptor David Lawrence in collaboration with Imperial War Museums and depicts brave Allied troops risking their lives on that fateful day.
This coin didn’t enter circulation, but when paired with the 1994 D-Day 50p, makes for a poignant reminder of the incredibly important day in history.
VC Medal and Heroic Acts 50ps
In 2006, two 50p coins were issued to mark 150 years of the Victoria Cross award – the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British decorations system. One of the coins features the Victoria Cross medal itself, a bronze cross pattée bearing the crown of Saint Edward surmounted by a lion, and the inscription “for valour”.
The other 50p represents the Heroic Acts carried out by those who received the award, with a soldier carrying a wounded comrade against a silhouette of the Victoria Cross medal.
The original 2006 issues of these coins entered circulation, however they were both re-issued in 2019 as part of the 50th Anniversary of the 50p Military History Collection.
Battle of Britain 50p
The Battle of Britain was an intense air battle fought mainly throughout the summer of 1940 between Germany and Britain. To commemorate 75 years since the great battle, The Royal Mint issued this 50p in 2015.
Designed by sculptor Gary Breeze, this coin quickly gained interest from collectors due to the three different obverses when it was initially minted. Find out more about that here >>
Like the VC 50ps, the Battle of Britain 50p was also re-issued in 2019 in the Military History 50p Collection.
Secure the Stories of the Second World War 50p
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