Atlantic Salmon 50p coin featuring the King's portrait is the rarest in circulation, dethroning the Kew Gardens 50p from the top spot for the first time in 15 years

Only 200,000 of these Atlantic Salmon 50ps have been distributed to UK banks and post offices, which is 10,000 less than the 2009 Kew Gardens coin

The Royal Mint has confirmed that a 50p coin featuring the Atlantic Salmon and bearing the King’s portrait is the rarest in circulation.

This coin has dethroned the "highly collectable" 2009 Kew Gardens 50p from the top spot for the first time in 15 years, according to the official maker of British coins. Only 200,000 of these Atlantic Salmon 50ps have been distributed to UK banks and post offices, which is 10,000 less than the 2009 Kew Gardens coin.

The King Charles 50p coin featuring the Atlantic Salmon design is popular with collectors and can command values of well over £150. In August 2023, one of these coins sold for £153.48 on eBay.

The announcement came as the Royal Mint released its 2023 mintage figures for UK coins in circulation. Last year marked the final phase of Charles’ transition onto UK coins, with coins commemorating the coronation and new designs across all denominations from the 1p to £2.

Each design emphasises Charles’ "passion for conservation and the natural world", showcasing wildlife such as the hazel dormouse and bees, the Royal Mint stated. The 50p, described by the Royal Mint as "the nation’s most collectable coin", has seen over 100 different designs appear on its reverse since its introduction.

Six out of the ten rarest 50ps in circulation are related to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunny coins from 2018 also making the list. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: "The releasing of mintage figures is an eagerly anticipated event among the coin collecting community – and this year is particularly exciting as we reveal the Atlantic Salmon as the rarest 50p in circulation."

"For the first time in 15 years, the highly collectable Kew Gardens 50p loses its top spot as the rarest in circulation with the Atlantic Salmon 50p splashing its way to number one."

"2023 marked pivotal changes for the nation’s coinage, including the introduction of coins celebrating King Charles III’s coronation entering circulation. Finding these special designs, like the Atlantic Salmon, in your change is a win for all collectors."

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