Brits urged to check their change as they could be unknowingly carrying a small fortune

There's a chance you could be carrying a small fortune in your pocket without even realising it.

A rare 50 pence piece, known as the King Charles Atlantic Salmon, has sparked a fierce bidding war on eBay, eventually selling for an impressive £107.

The lucky winner's plans for the coin remain unknown - whether it will be resold or kept as part of a collection is yet to be seen.

Despite its rarity, there's a chance that some individuals might have this coin in their possession without realising it.

The Royal Mint has released information that 200,000 of these coins were put into circulation, distributed through entities such as banks and post offices in 2024.

The design of the coin is distinctive, featuring an Atlantic salmon on the reverse side and an interlocking C pattern with King Charles III on the obverse.

As of last month, it has been recognised as the rarest 50p coin, surpassing the Kew Gardens 2009 50p which previously held the title. This comes at a time when salmon numbers are at their lowest ever recorded.

Rebecca Morgan from The Royal Mint commented: "Finding these special designs, like the Atlantic salmon, in your change is a win for all collectors.", reports the Mirror.

The coin was minted to honour King Charles III's dedication to nature and conservation efforts. The choice of the endangered salmon symbolises the pressures faced by global ecosystems.

Data from the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust indicates that the count of juvenile salmon last summer reached a record low, marking the most significant decline in two decades.

While most rare coins tend to fetch a higher resale value if they possess some sort of error, such as a squiggle mark or an inaccuracy in the lettering, the King Charles Atlantic Salmon 2023 coin is actually more valuable in mint condition.

Despite one of these coins fetching over £100 on eBay this week, another reportedly sold back in October for closer to £200, at £195.

For collectors seeking their next rare find, the Royal Mint provides a list of all the lesser-known 50p coins in circulation from decades past, right up until 2024.