The Royal Mint UK has announced that the rarest commemorative UK coin design is the Kew Gardens 50p coin. The 50 pence coin were released into circulation to mark the 250th Anniversary of the Royal Botanic Gardens in 2009. With over 1 in every 300 people in the UK, or 0.32% of the population, likely to find it in their change.
Only 210,000 of the coins were ever released into circulation and features a design showing the famous pagoda of the Royal Botanic Gardens encircled by a vine and accompanied by the dates “1759” and “2009”, with the word “KEW” at the base of the pagoda.
250th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Botanic Gardens
Technical Specifications:
Issued: 2009
Diameter: 27.30 mm
Weight: 8.00 g
Thickness: 1.78 mm
Composition: Cupro-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel)
Obverse Designers: Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS
Reverse Designer: Christopher Le Brun
Edge: Plain
Mintage: 210,000
Shane Bissett, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said: “Whilst we’re urging everyone to check their change to see whether they could have one of these exceptional coins in their pockets, we also want to encourage the nation to look more closely at all of the coins we use every day.
“They really are miniature works of art worth looking out for, admiring and collecting – and keeping hold of them is a great way for us to build our own private art galleries. Now that people know just how rare this particular coin is we expect them to disappear from circulation fast.
“The Royal Mint’s 50p, £1 and £2 Collector Albums are the perfect way for people to start appreciating the beautiful works of art that are in our pockets and enjoying the coins that are in circulation.”
The striking coin was designed by Christopher Le Brun, and the reverse includes the famous pagoda surrounded by a twisting vine plant. Christopher chose the pagoda as an instantly recognisable symbol which is intrinsically linked to London.
With a Face Value of 50 pence, the coin worth more than 200 times its face value and the price keep on increasing every year. Right now, you can find it in eBay for £80-£130. With the recent publicity about the Kew Gardens 50p, I do think their price will be double in few months time.
If you have found a Kew Gardens 50p coin in your change, you can share it on The Royal Mint Facebook page or posting it on Twitter using the hashtag #strikingstories.
