THE King Charles III 50p coins first went into circulation in December 2022, marking a huge moment in history.
It was the first currency to feature the face of the new King, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
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Almost five million coins were put into general circulation at the time. meaning they can now be found in the change lurking in our pockets or purses.
King Charles’ profile appears on the coin, with the reverse side showing the design of the 1953 coronation crown.
The coin features a couple of changes that we are not used to on our money though.
The monarch on this coin isn’t wearing a crown. This isn’t uncommon for male monarchs but it’s a stark contrast since we had Queen Elizabeth II on our coins wearing one for so long.
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You may also notice another big change which is different to coins that show Her Majesty.
On the new 50p, there is a Latin inscription which translates to: “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith”.
On the reverse side of the coin is the same design that appeared on the 1953 crown struck to commemorate her late Majesty’s coronation on June 2, 1953.
However, a final change has left many Brits believing the coins could be worth a fortune as the King Charles 50p coins didn’t appear to have a date.
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In most cases, it’s because they have a low mintage figure – the amount struck and put into circulation.
But “error” coins, which have been struck incorrectly during the manufacturing process, also sell for big bucks.
Several coin owners have claimed they have found an error on the 50p as it doesnt seem to feature the 2022 date.
If this was the case it could potentially see the coin worth more than its face value.
It turns out the coins are worth more than a few pounds because they do in fact have a date.
You can find the date on the reverse side of the coin at the bottom.
If you are looking at the side with King Charles’ face on, that means you need to flip it.
How much is the ‘undated’ King Charles 50p worth?
Taking into account the 50p does have a date its value does decrease by quite a bit.
The 50p coin has a relatively high circulation figure, which will balloon to 9.6million as demand increases, the coin won’t be worth all that much for now.
Coins with similar mintage figures can sell for between £1.14 and £1.36, according to Joe Trewick at The Coin Expert.
However, it remains unclear as to whether the coin’s value could grow in the long-term given that it’s the first of its kind to feature an effigy of King Charles III.
How to sell a rare coin
FIND a rare coin and you can sell it on to a collector for more.
When it comes to selling a rare coin, you have three main options – eBay, Facebook Marketplace or auction.
If you’re selling through Facebook, be wary of the risks.
Fraudsters have contacted sellers in the past saying they want to buy a rare coin and ask for money upfront for a courier to collect it.
But the items are never picked up, leaving sellers out of pocket.
To stop this happening, it’s worth meeting the buyer in person and in a public meeting spot that’s well-lit.
If you’re selling through eBay, you’ll have to start by registering for an account and then listing a product.
Make sure you’ve got good pictures and mention the condition of the coin to avoid leaving buyers disappointed.
Bear in mind the safest way to sell a rare coin will more than likely be through auction.
You can organise doing this via The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service, which has a team of experts who can authenticate and value a coin.
Get in touch with them via email and a member of its valuation team will get back to you.
Do bear in mind you will be charged for the service though. How much depends on the size of your collection.
A spokesperson for The Royal Mint said, “A total of 9.6million of His Majesty King Charles III’s first 50p coins entered circulation from the end of 2022, and all feature the year date on the reverse (tails) side of the coin.
“There is no set rule or tradition as to where a year date should feature on a coin, and decisions are made based on each design.”
In most cases, a coin is valuable if a low amount were struck and put into circulation – known as its mintage figure.
Generally, the lower a coin’s mintage figure, the more you will be able to sell it for in an auction, on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
But this isn’t always the case and some coins have been known to sell for more than others despite more having been put into circulation.
Remember too, that a rare coin is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it on the day.
You can find out what a coin’s mintage figure is by going on The Royal Mint’s website.
Meanwhile, some coins are also considered rare when there was a mistake in the manufacturing process.
These are commonly known as “error” coins, and there are usually just a few in circulation.
But bag one of these and you could earn up to £1,000.
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