CN Fifty pence, King Charles III, 2023-date, Proof
Private
Updated:
8/1/2025
Views: 59
The 50p's instantly recognisable shape makes it the ideal coin for commemorative designs that celebrate Britain’s most iconic people, events and institutions. Below are the top 10 rarest 50p coins ever struck by The Royal Mint:
10. Olympic Goalball 2011
Mintage: 1,615,500
The Royal Mint held a competition to design coins for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The winning designer for the goalball coin was Jonathan Wren. The reverse of the coin features the distinctive arc of an athlete in mid-throw during the Paralympic Games. Many of the 2011 Olympic 50p pieces have a mintage below 2 million, but the 1,615,500 goalball coins produced make this one of the rarest circulating 50p coins to date.
9. Olympic Tennis 2011
Mintage: 1,454,000
Featuring a reverse design by competition winner Tracey Baines, a sculptor and jewellery designer from Peterborough, the 2011 Olympic tennis 50p coin displays the unmistakable image of a tennis ball sailing over a net. Weeks after losing the Wimbledon final to Roger Federer, Andy Murray secured Olympic gold for Team GB by beating Federer in the men’s singles final at London 2012. The Scotsman produced a sensational performance to win in straight sets and go down in British Olympic history, giving the coin even greater significance.
8. Flopsy Bunny 2018
Mintage: 1,400,000
The Beatrix Potter coin collection was created in celebration of the beloved tales that have enchanted children since 1902. Featuring designs by Emma Noble, who drew inspiration from Helen Beatrix Potter's original illustrations, the coins proved incredibly popular when they entered circulation in 2018. The Flopsy Bunny™ coin is the first and only time Peter Rabbit’s sister has appeared on a UK coin, with the character taking centre stage in the reverse design that depicts her characteristic cape that will be familiar to all Beatrix Potter fans.
7. Peter Rabbit 2018
Mintage: 1,400,000
The star of the Beatrix Potter collection is undoubtedly Peter Rabbit™. In 2018, he hopped onto British coins for another adventure that endeared the plucky rabbit and his family to the public once more. The collection saw Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated coins struck as well as the circulating coins you can find in your change today. The rare Peter Rabbit 50p coin features the famous bunny munching on radishes after another near miss in Mr. McGregor’s garden. Designed by Emma Noble, a product designer at The Royal Mint, the reverse of the coin features a playful image that brings Peter Rabbit’s personality to life in all his mischievous glory. An official licensed product endorsed by Frederick Warne & Co., the coin boasts an unmistakable image from many people’s childhood.
6. Olympic Triathlon 2011
Mintage: 1,163,500
The fourth coin from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games collection to make it onto the list of the rarest circulating 50p coins commemorates triathlon. Sarah Harvey's design encapsulates each aspect of the triathlon with clearly defined motion in a fitting tribute to this endurance sport. The design shows three figures in poses from the three events that form the sport: running, swimming and cycling.
5. Olympic Judo 2011
Mintage: 1,161,500
Of the 29 London 2012 Olympic 50p coins, few can compare to the judo coin in terms of action. Capturing two athletes in mid-throw with exquisite detail, this incredible design was created by David Cornell, which shine through details like the wave of the judogi and the form of the competitors. This coin is one of the most detailed coins in the Olympic collection.
4. Olympic Wrestling 2011
Mintage: 1,129,500
The London 2012 Olympic Wrestling 50p coin immortalises an all-action sport. Its reverse designer, Roderick Enriquez, created a futuristic look for a historic sport, capturing the moment a wrestler is thrown onto the mat in a modern stadium representation. Individual raised dots represent the watching crowd, and the purposely undersized mat emphasises the close-range nature of the bouts. The action silhouettes highlight the strength and technical skill involved in wrestling. It is the second-rarest coin in the Olympic collection.
3. Olympic Football 2011
Mintage: 1,125,500
The reverse of the London 2012 Olympic football coin was designed by sports journalist, Neil Wolfson. Its unique design attempts to answer the question that has been asked since 1863: what is offside? The playful look depicts a classic football tactics board to demonstrate in an easy-to-understand way when a player would be considered on- and offside. For football fans and collectors, this is a fabulous coin.
2. Kew Gardens 2009
Mintage: 210,000
The Kew Gardens 50p held its place as the rarest 50p coin in circulation between 2009 and 2023. Its beautiful design by Christopher Le Brun celebrates the famous royal botanical garden with the iconic Chinese pagoda taking centre stage. An immediate favourite, many went straight into private collections, making them even rarer than the low mintage suggests. Demand for the 50p denomination was low in 2009, accounting for the unusually low number of 50p coins struck that year. There is also a 2019-dated coin celebrating this recognisable design, but it is the original 2009 edition that holds its place as a rare and valuable coin.
1. Atlantic Salmon 2023
Mintage: 200,000
In 2023, the Atlantic salmon became the rarest 50p coin in circulation. Part of eight new definitive coin designs representing flora and fauna from across the four UK nations following His Majesty King Charles III’s accession to the throne, it entered circulation at the end of November 2023. Although wild populations of the Atlantic salmon are affected by factors such as river pollution, habitat loss, overfishing, and river heating due to lack of tree cover and climate change, this wild fish can be found in very clean rivers in Scotland and Wales, as well as in North and South West England.
Notes:
1. My first coin in this set was the #1 rarest, just 200k minted, King Charles III Atlantic Salmon, MS70.
Read more...
CN Fifty pence, King Charles III, 2023-date, Proof
By StephenWA
Owner Comments:
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The NGC Registry is not endorsed by or associated with PCGS or CAC. PCGS is a registered trademark of Collectors Universe, Inc. CAC is a trademark of Certified Acceptance Corporation.
Add Coin
Join NGC for free to add coins, track your collection and participate in the NGC Registry. Learn more >
Join NGC
Already a member? Sign In
The NGC Registry is not endorsed by or associated with PCGS or CAC. PCGS is a registered trademark of Collectors Universe, Inc. CAC is a trademark of Certified Acceptance Corporation.
There is never any charge to contact us. To reach a customer service representative, call, text or WhatsApp (+1) 855-472-3310 or use this form.
