Royal Mint: Atlantic Salmon 50p coin could be worth £100

The coin collector found the coin in a bag of change he collected from the bank, and was struck by the unusual design.

His experience told him instantly that the coin was unusual, but was still surprised when he found out how much it could be worth.

He said: “I was blown away. It didn’t make sense. I thought I had hit the jackpot.

“I can only go on what they're selling for on eBay but I've seen them going for three figures. 

“And I wouldn't want to part with it for less than that.”

The coin is called an Atlantic Salmon, depicting the fish jumping from water on the tails side with King Charles’ head on the reverse.

The coin is dated 2023, and according to coinhunter.co.uk there are estimated to be 500,000 in circulation, though the number that were minted is unknown.

From his experience he had never seen the coin mentioned online.

Some are being sold on eBay for more than £100, although the finder realises that the coin might not actually be worth this much.

He said: “Some people put stupid prices on eBay but they never sell. Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it and that goes for anything.”

He continues that even if the coin is only worth £20, that is still a 40 times markup, ‘which is not bad for something I found in my change.’

However, for the collector the price is unimportant as he plans to keep it along with his extensive collection of other rare coins.

The rarest 50 pence in circulation is the famous Kew Gardens 50p. It depicts the botanical gardens’ Chinese pagoda, with plants spiralling around it.

Only 210,000 of these were made 13 years ago, fewer than half the Atlantic Salmon coins.

The Royal Mint says: “It is not uncommon for this fabulous 50p to sell for as much as £700 today, with numismatists desperate to add it to their collection.”

There was a re-mintage in 2019 that celebrated this recognisable design, but it is the original 2009 edition that holds its place as a rare and valuable coin.