Collectable coin values and how to grade coins

Uncirculated is a coin that hasn’t been in circulation for legal tender and has retained its original condition. The coin may feature a few imperfections from the production process but will feature a distinctive lustre and strong visual appeal. Usually found in sealed bags of coins direct from the royal mint.

An ‘Extremely Fine’ coin grading describes a coin that features multiple physical attributes, including mint lustre, sharp detailing, and faint evidence of circulation. These signs can include minimal scratches, but these minor blemishes can only be seen upon close examination.

A ‘Very Fine’ coin grading describes a coin that features limited sign of wear on its raised surface. For a coin to receive this grade it must feature obvious but relatively restricted wear on the highest portions of the coin, which has also experienced minimal circulation.

Fine’ is a coin grading that describes a coin that has experienced considerable use within circulation. The grade also describes the coin’s apparent sign of wear on the raised surface of its design. Subsequently, with this grading the coin is still collectable.

This is the lowest minted circulating 50p coin ever minted by the Royal Mint.

There were only 200,000 of the circulating variation of this coin ever made, making it the rarest of all 50p coins.

Expected value in a UNC condition is around £120 but this can vary.

Until 2023 this was the rarest 50p circulating coin with just 210,000 made.

This iconic coin is highly sought after in the coin collecting world and can reach up to £180 on some bidding sites.

There are a lot of fake ones of this coin around,  so please do your research before purchasing one.

Although classed as an error coin, the 2011 Olympics Swimmer with lines over the face is not an actual error, more of a first design that was put into circulation in error.

The number sent into circulation is not known, but a Royal Mint Verified version of this coin could fetch up to £4000

This is the lowest minted of the circulating Olympics 2011 50p coins.

All 2011 Olympics 50p coins are considered to be worth more than the face value to collectors, but this one could fetch up to £45 depeding on the condition of the coin.