Coin collecting is a hobby with a long history that continues to attract new enthusiasts. Known as numismatics, it can be a cheap and easy way to start a collection as the vast majority of coins are in circulation and can be found in change. Collectors can build their collections by seeking out specific coins or swapping with friends, and there are even a number of websites that help to identify rare 50ps.
The Royal Mint has produced many different designs of 50ps to mark key events over the years, but there are some which are more sought after than others. These include the Kew Gardens 50p, which has been re-issued in Brilliant Uncirculated quality and features an image of a Chinese Pagoda at the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It has a low mintage of just over 1.6 million and is one of the rarest coins in circulation. The other is the London 2012 wrestling 50p, which was designed by a competition winner and has a low mintage of just over 160,000. It can be bought for up to PS15 online.
Another rare coin is the Benjamin Britten 50p, which was released to celebrate the centenary of the British composer’s birth in 1913. It features celebratory words from Tennyson set against a double stave – a reference to the piano on which the composer was a virtuoso. The coin has been seen on eBay for over PS800, although this isn’t always a good indicator of value as anyone can list a coin at any price they wish.