Exact wheel to spot on 50p worth 400 times its value after sparking eBay bidding war – do you have one?
A RARE marking on your 50p coin could mean it’s worth 400 times its normal value.
The Isle of Man TT 1997 50p large features a sketch of Phillip McCallen riding in the famous TT motorcycle race.
One of the ultra-rare coins has sold on eBay for an unbelievable £218.
The coin launched a bidding war, with 11 attempts made to nab the incredible design.
The Isle of Man is host to the famous TT motorcycle race – and these 50ps have taken the chequered flag when it comes to value.
Isle of Man coins used to be made by the Pobjoy mint in Surrey – as it’s a Crown Dependency, the island issues its own notes and coins.
The larger 50p coin is “very rare” according to the seller – 1997 was the year the bigger-sized coin was replaced with the smaller one.
Other rare 50ps have also been gaining traction online recently, including a Blue Peter 50p which sold for £216.
CHECK IF YOU 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 sets them apart from the coins you may find in pockets.
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
SELLING YOUR 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.
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.