COLLECTORS on the lookout for a coin that's worth more than a pretty penny, should check their change for rare 50p pieces.
The Tailor of Gloucester 50p, tells a story all of its own, one written by Beatrix Potter.
1
The Tailor of Gloucester was written, illustrated and privately printed by Beatrix Potter in 1902 before being published in 1903 by Frederick Warne & Co.
The tale follows a poor tailor trying to survive in his workshop over a hard, cold winter.
He has an important commission to complete for the Mayor Gloucester’s wedding on Christmas. The tailor is ill, tired, running out of food, thread and time.
Luckily for him, living in his dresser are some kind, resourceful mice who help him with his work.
Read more on money
To celebrate Beatrix Potter and her characters, on her 105th birthday a coin collection was created by The Royal Mint.
This coin is based on one of Beatrix’s illustrations and shows one of the helpful mice from the story, sitting on a cotton reel reading his newspaper wearing tiny glasses.
How rare is the Tailor of Gloucester 50p?
According to Change Checker there are only 3,900,000 Tailor of Gloucester 50ps in circulation.
Most read in Money
UNHAPPY MEAL McDonald’s angers customers as it plans to axe favourite item next week
HOLIDAY HACK Clever way to get 9 days off work using 4 days of annual leave - but be quick
RATE IT UK inflation rate falls AGAIN hittinglowest level in years- what it means
BILL PERK Energy firm to offer bill discounts and free boiler service under loyalty scheme
In comparison, there are around 200 million regular 50ps, so this rare design takes up a fraction of those floating around.
Change Checker’s scarcity index states the Tailor of Gloucester is in 11th place, which means it’s not all that rare though.
There are 100 rare coins included in the index. The higher the number, the rarer the coin, meaning there are 89 rarer coins than the Tailor of Gloucester.
How rare a coin is also affects how valuable it is as well - and what you could expect to make if you sold it on.
How much is the Tailor of Gloucester worth?
According to Coin Hunter, you can expect to pocket around £1.41 if you sell this coin on.
That's not exactly a fortune, but it's almost three times its face value.
It’s worth noting, you my also have to pay for postage.
Currently there is one listing on eBay selling them for £3.45 each and another at £2.45.
But before you get too excited, remember the listing price doesn't mean it will actually sell for that amount - you can check completed listings to see how much similar coins have been snapped up for.
How rare are other 50ps in my change?
If you find a unique design on a 50p in your change, it maybe valuable and you could make a lot of money from it.
However, this also depends on what someone is willing to bid on it.
50ps with low mintage can be valuable to collectors as they become harder to find.
It’s worth checking with experts like Coin Hunter, Change Checker or The Royal Mint to find out what your unique 50p is worth.
You can try selling your coin on eBay - other listings on eBay will help you to find out how much you can earn.
However, keep an eye out for fakes and a buyer can back out of a sale, meaning the coin hasn’t sold for the price listed.
Think you've got a rare coin? Here's how you can work out how much it's worth.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
These are the 10 rarest and most valuable coins which are worth up to £400.
A rare 50p coin sold for £185 on eBay and there are thousands more in circulation. Find out which one it is here.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team?
Email us at [email protected]
