General info

It’s time for your latest Scarcity Index update, where we reveal the UK’s most sought after circulation 10p, 50p and £2 coins.

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

Since our last update, the top 4 circulating 50ps have stayed strong with no movement. This means the Kew Gardens 50p is of course, still right at the top, closely followed by the Olympic Judo 50p.

Further down, we’ve seen some huge movers like the Olympic Boccia 50p which has climbed 13 places and the Beatrix Potter 50p which is up 10 places. The 2017 Peter Rabbit 50p which has also shot up 15 places!

There have also been some not so fortunate coins though. The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 50p has dropped 18 places and the 50 Years of Pride 50p is down an astonishing 27 places. The Pride 50p only entered circulation in October 2022, so perhaps most of them have made their way safely into your collections, or maybe they’re still out there waiting to be found.

If you’re new to collecting and want to find out more about circulation coins, you can check out our fact files here >>

Otherwise, keep reading to find out which 10ps and £2 coins you should be looking out for.

10p Scarcity Index

It’s all change on our 10p index this time, as every single coin has moved!

One to keep your eye on is the Angel of the North 10p which has climbed a massive 20 places since our last update. The Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead, has become one of the most recognizable pieces of public art ever. It’s also thought to be the largest sculpture of an angel in the world. So it’s no wonder the 10p has shot up in the rankings.

We’ve also seen big moves from the Bond 007 10p which is up 14 places. This could possibly be due to the recent anniversary marking 60 years since the first James Bond book was published.

Sadly though, the X marks the spot 10p’s rise in the last update was short lived. It’s fallen by 17 places, putting it at the bottom of the list.

Remember, a maximum of JUST 304,000 of each A-Z 10p design entered circulation in 2018 and 2019, making them some of the most sought-after coins out there. So make sure you keep your eyes peeled for them in your change!

£2 Scarcity Index

The £2 index remains fairly stable. This is to be expected as we’ve not had a £2 coin enter circulation since 2016.

Of course, remaining at the top of the Index is the 2002 Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland £2. With a mintage figure of just 458,000, it’s one of the rarest and clearly still one of the most popular £2 coin designs, even 20 years after entering circulation!

A few others creeping up the ranks are the Gunpowder Plot £2 which has climbed 5 places. The Shakespeare Histories £2 has gone up 7 places.

The biggest mover though is the Florence Nightingale £2 which has fallen 10 places.

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. This allows 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 our 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. Because they are no longer being issued, this is now set in stone.

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