WHAT might seem like spare change could actually be worth a small fortune if you know what to look for.
One rare 50p coin first minted in 2023 fetched £157 at auction late last month.
Another 20p coin is worth up to 419 times its value and fetched a comfy £83.88 at auction on eBay in August.
The best part? These valuable coins are still out there, hidden in circulation.
Whether they’re tucked under the rug or lost behind the sofa, you might have a small treasure waiting to be discovered.
We’ve compared mintage figures and checked auction sites eBay to uncover how much your spare change could be worth.
You can use our interactive tool above to find out which coins are worth more than their face value.
Then, read on to find out what makes these everyday coins so unique.
Rare 5p coins – worth up to £2.12
The 1977 5p coin is the rarest of this denomination, with a mintage of 24,308,000.
Though often minted in the tens of millions, this particular coin stands out for its collectable appeal and sells for around £2.12.
Meanwhile, the 2008 Ironside 5p coin was part of the redesign marking 40 years of decimalisation.
Graphic designer Matthew Dent won a competition to create the new definitive designs, which featured elements of the Royal Shield.
On the 5p, this heraldic design represents a piece of the shield, aligning with other coins to form the full image on the £1 coin.
With a mintage of 92,880,000, it sells for approximately £1.25.
Rare 10p coins – worth up to £10.77
All of these rare 10p coins are part of the A-Z coin collection, issued by The Royal Mint in 2018 and re-released in 2019.
This special series features 26 unique designs, each representing a letter of the alphabet and celebrating iconic aspects of British life.
The Z for Zebra Crossing 10p, minted in 2019, features the letter “Z” over a zebra crossing, a nod to British innovation and pop culture, most famously linked to The Beatles’ Abbey Road album cover.
With just 63,000 minted in 2019, it’s highly sought after and sells for around £10.77.
The R for Robin 10p showcases Britain’s beloved national bird sitting inside the letter “R”, surrounded by snowflakes.
Representing good luck and happiness, only 64,000 were minted in 2019, making it a collector’s favourite, valued at £8.64.
The Q for Queueing 10p celebrates the iconic British tradition of queuing, with a design depicting a line of people weaving through the letter “Q”.
With 83,000 minted in 2019, it sells for about £3.29, highlighting its collectable appeal.
Rare 20p coins – worth up to £83.88
The 2008 Undated 20p is one of the rarest and most valuable error coins in circulation.
In November 2008, a minting mistake led to 250,000 coins being struck without a date, making them the first undated coins released in over 300 years.
This happened when the old dateless obverse design accidentally paired with the new “Royal Coat of Arms” reverse design.
These coins are highly sought after and can sell for up to £83.88 on eBay.
The 2008 Tudor Rose 20p, minted the same year, features a stylised Tudor Rose topped with the Imperial State Crown.
While it’s not as rare, with 11.9million struck, its elegant design makes it a favourite among collectors, selling for around £4.36.
The 1992 Tudor Rose 20p is a classic example of the earlier Tudor Rose design, with 31.2million coins minted.
Though common, it remains collectable for its historic significance, selling for approximately £2.20.
Rare 50p coins – worth up to £156.68
The Atlantic Salmon 2023 50p is the rarest in circulation, with just 200,000 minted.
Part of King Charles III’s new definitive designs showcasing UK flora and fauna, it features the Atlantic salmon, a species found in clean rivers across Scotland, Wales, and parts of England.
This highly sought-after coin sells for up to £156.68 on eBay.
The Kew Gardens 2009 50p, with 210,000 minted, previously held the title of the rarest 50p coin for over a decade.
Designed by Christopher Le Brun, it showcases the iconic Chinese pagoda of the royal botanical garden.
Many went straight into collections, making it even rarer.
This original edition is highly valuable, selling for up to £229.95.
Meanwhile, the Olympic Football 2011 50p, minted to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics, explains the offside rule with a playful football tactics board design by Neil Wolfson.
A favourite among football fans and collectors, its mintage of 1,125,500 makes it difficult to find, selling for around £24.32.
Rare £1 coins – worth up to £16.12
The rarest £1 coin in active circulation is the King Charles III Bee 2025, with just 170,000 minted.
It features a detailed bee design symbolising hard work and community, and sells for up to £16.12 due to its scarcity.
The Nations of the Crown 2022 £1 coin, designed by David Pearce, represents the United Kingdom‘s four nations – Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England – intertwined within a crown.
The obverse bears Queen Elizabeth II‘s fifth and final portrait by Jody Clark.
With a mintage of 7,735,000, it remains highly collectable, fetching up to £9.57.
The King Charles III Bee 2023 coin also features the intricate bee design.
Although minted in larger numbers at 10,030,000, it sells for around £8.50 and remains a favourite among collectors.
Rare £2 coins – worth up to £47.48
The rarest £2 coin in circulation is the Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland 2002, with a mintage of just 485,500.
It features the Ulster Banner alongside a victorious figure holding a banner, symbolising the nation’s sporting achievements.
This highly sought-after coin sells for up to £47.48 on eBay.
Next is the Commonwealth Games Wales 2002 coin, with 588,500 minted.
It depicts a figure in motion holding a banner that displays the Welsh flag, encircled to represent the spirit of the Commonwealth Games.
This coin can sell for as much as £29.80 on eBay.
The WW1 Royal Navy Fifth Portrait 2015 coin commemorates the bravery of the Royal Navy during the First World War.
It features a striking image of HMS Royal Oak, a revenge-class battleship, with the edge inscription reading “THE SURE SHIELD OF BRITAIN”.
With a mintage of 650,000, it sells for around £6.50 on eBay and is valued for its historical significance.
How do I check if I have a rare coin?
Rare coins and valuable notes can be worth tens of thousands of times their face value.
But sometimes it’s just tiny differences which make them so lucrative.
The most valuable coins tend to be ones with low mintage numbers or an error.
Those qualities typically make them valuable to collectors.
Your next step would be to check if your coin is still available to purchase in superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality from an official Royal Mint distributor, according to Change Checker.
Certified Brilliant Uncirculated coins have been specially struck to a superior unblemished quality which set them apart from the coins you may find in pockets.
How do I safely store valuable coins?
HERE are some tricks to keep your valuable coins safe from toning:
- Store your coins in individual containers
- Put it in a clear, air tight holder that lets you see the coin from both sides
- Avoid putting them in clear plastic sandwich bags because they can still rub against each other an may cause scratches or marks
- Store your collection in a folder or album, although tarnishing may occur quicker than in an airtight container
- Keep them out of a damp environment. You can use silica gel to help prevent damp
- Wear clean, white gloves when handling the coins
- Steer clear of using PVC materials as it traps moisture and releases acidic gases which can damage the collection.
How do I sell my rare coins?
There are many different factors to consider when trying to value a coin, including its condition and mintage, so it’s important to do your homework first.
If you’ve got a coin that you would like to sell at auction, you can contact The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service.
It has a team of experts who can help you to authenticate and value your coin.
You’ll need to enquire via email, and a member of the valuation team will contact get back to you.
Take a picture of your coin and attach this to the email – you can find the details on The Royal Mint’s website.
Be aware that you will be charged for this service though – the cost will vary depending on the size of your collection.
If you are looking to buy a coin online through a marketplace such as eBay, it’s important to know exactly what you are purchasing.
This is because anyone can list a coin on eBay and charge whatever amount they wish.
You should also be wary of fakes online – and keep in mind that on eBay a buyer could pull out, which means the coin won’t have sold for the price it says it has.
Meanwhile, we have put together a guide on the rarest and most valuable coins.
We also tell you what you should do if you find a lucky penny in your pocket.
What are the most rare and valuable coins?
- Five rarest coins – do you have one?
- The 13 most valuable £2 coins in circulation
- How valuable are the rarest £1 coins?
- Most rare and valuable 50p coins in circulation
- Rare and most valuable 20p coins that could be worth up to £750
- Rarest 10p coins in circulation
- Rare 2p coins revealed
- How to check if you have a rare and valuable banknote
