Rare 50p coin on sale for £15k – but collector spots big issue

We all know how desirable rare coins are at the moment after a series of £1 pieces with huge value went viral. 

Now all the attention has turned to a 50p coin which was listed for an eye-watering £15,000 on eBay, so do you own one? Over on Instagram, user @CoinCollectingWizard, who boasts 31,000 followers, revealed how a Paddington Bear piece was listed for a fortune. 

But despite seeing that hefty price tag on selling websites, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth this staggering amount at all, so how can you tell the difference?

The post read: “£15,000 for a Paddington Bear 50p?! Let’s find out more. You’ve probably seen the headlines or eBay listings claiming someone’s selling a Paddington Bear 50p for £15,000… But is it really worth that much?”

He added: “No. Not even close.”

Speaking in the post, the coin expert revealed how these pieces are manufactured in enormous quantities, particularly the 2018 and 2019 versions depicting Paddington at the Station, the Palace, the Tower and St Paul’s.

“They’re fun to collect, but… Anyone can list a coin for any price on eBay,” the expert continued: “That doesn’t mean it’s actually worth it, or that anyone will ever pay it.”

So how can you determine if it’s worth that amount?

Paddington Bear 50p coins are worth their face value, but in some instances can fetch a couple of pounds.

However, if they’re in a sealed collector’s pack or contain a rare error (which is unlikely), this can vary. Furthermore, listings demanding thousands are simply attempting to deceive unsuspecting buyers, the Coin Collecting Wizard acknowledged.

He finished: “If you see a crazy price online – always check with someone who knows before you get too excited. That’s what I’m here for!”

The Royal Mint released the 2018 Paddington Bear 50p coin to mark the beloved character’s 60th anniversary.

This design shows Paddington perched on his case outside the railway station, sporting his distinctive label round his neck.

It was launched to mark Paddington’s debut appearance on official British currency, with dedicated enthusiasts eager to secure one in pristine condition.

Even the most recent and gleaming standard circulation coins bear countless scratches and blemishes, yet The Royal Mint produced specially crafted collector-grade “Brilliant Uncirculated” coins which are assured to be free from such scratches and damage.