A rare coin listed for over £20,000 in County Durham has sparked fresh interest in coin collecting

The listing, posted by a seller in the region, features a 2018 Tailor of Gloucester 50p, part of the beloved Beatrix Potter series released by the Royal Mint between 2016 and 2018.

A rare 50p coin is listed for over £20,000 on eBay. It is a 2018 Tailor of Gloucester 50p, part of the Beatrix Potter series released by the Royal Mint from 2016 to 2018. The coin, which depicts a mouse reading on a spool of thread, is described as “extremely rare”.

According to the Royal Mint, 3.9 million of the Tailor of Gloucester coins were minted. However, an expert at the Royal Mint points out that buyers should be cautious of inflated online prices, which may not reflect the true market value.

“This coin is definitely collectable and carries value above face,” says a Royal Mint spokesperson. “But inflated online prices, often seen on e-commerce platforms, don’t always tell the whole story and they are sold in original Royal Mint packaging.

“Collectors should also be aware that Strike Your Own (SYO) coins, which are sold at the Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant, South Wales, are not sold in any special packaging unless they were bought in a limited-edition package. SYO coins are available throughout the year and they are not limited editions unless stated otherwise.”

The Royal Mint Experience also offers a special tour where visitors can press their own coin, which is included in a limited edition "Strike Your Own" (SYO) presentation.

The full factory tour has recently scaled back due to decreased demand for circulating coins, with people instead seeking out special editions and keepsakes. However, the SYO coin press remains active, and collectors are now turning their attention to these unique coins.

Since 2016, 52 different SYO coins have been released, and many have seen their value double, triple, or even quintuple in the secondary market.

The top performer is the 2018 Harry and Meghan Markle wedding coin in its original Royal Mint card and pouch, which recently sold for £363.72 on eBay. Only 508 of these rare SYO packages were produced.

Another highly valuable coin is the 2022 Commonwealth Games 50p, which is currently sold out but is available second-hand for around £70. Only 2,757 SYO cards were issued for this coin, making it highly sought-after.

The 2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p is also a favourite among collectors, typically selling between £45 and £65. The exact packaging numbers for this coin are unknown, but its popularity among wildlife-themed collectors helps maintain a strong resale value.

The 2022 Harry Potter 50p is another magical find, quickly snatched up by fans and collectors. This coin, which sold for around £50, had 2,569 SYO cards issued.

The 2021 The Snowman 50p is a winter favourite, recently selling on eBay for £47.52. Although 3,975 SYO cards were issued, the enduring popularity of The Snowman keeps demand high.

The 2018 The Nutcracker 50p is a festive favourite, recently selling for £37.11 in its original Royal Mint packaging. With 3,808 packs issued, this coin is sure to be a hit with collectors each holiday season.

The 2019 The Snowman 50p is a rarer edition, with only 877 SYO cards sold. This makes it a more valuable find, typically fetching around £35 on the secondary market.

The 2024 Coronation 50p is a limited “on-the-day” edition that recently sold for £31.92. Struck on the 6th of May, this coin had an unknown number of SYO cards sold.

The 2017 / 2018 Isaac Newton 50p has a slightly more complicated history. Both years had the same SYO card packaging, with the 2017 edition being much rarer (4,957 cards sold) compared to the 2018 edition (20,826 cards sold). Despite this, both years' coins sell for similar prices, with the 2017 edition being slightly more valuable due to its rarity.

The newest coin to join the ranks of valuable SYO coins is the 2025 World War II Stories 50p. This coin is currently selling for £20 to £25, but with only an estimated 1,376 cards issued, it is expected to increase in value over time, especially considering the sustained interest in military history commemoratives.