Check your change for three 50p coins worth ‘over £2,000’ | Personal Finance | Finance

Brits are being encouraged to inspect their loose change for three seemingly regular coins that could be worth significantly more than their face value. An expert has estimated that these 50p pieces could collectively fetch up to £2,280.

Firstly, he pointed out a 50p coin from 2017, which features an image of Beatrix Potter’s character, Benjamin Bunny. Typically, this coin would only be worth its face value. However, some versions of this coin have an error that collectors highly desire.

“The 2017 Benjamin Bunny 50p is usually just worth face value unless you have a rare rotation error version,” he said. “The error Benjamin Bunny coin has the Queen’s head printed facing the wrong direction.

“When a coin is flipped over, the Queen’s head should be facing to the left, but on a rotation error coin this would be different.” He disclosed that this coin could fetch around £30, approximately 60 times its face value

He then advised followers to keep an eye out for another 50p coin minted in honour of the 2012 Olympic Games. The athletics coin showcases a child’s sketch of a high jump athlete.

However, it’s the 2009 version that collectors should look out for, as it could fetch £250 or more. He said: “2.2 million of the athletics 50p coin were minted and released into circulation in 2011, but this earlier version was minted in 2009 and is more valuable to collectors.

“If you have this coin dated 2009 then you have found it and can sell for £250 plus.” Finally, the expert drew attention to a coin minted to commemorate the 2012 London Olympics.

This particular coin is known as the aquatics 50p and features an image of a swimmer. However, it only holds additional value if the wavy lines representing water cover the swimmer’s face.

These lines are exclusive to the earliest versions of the coin from 2011, as subsequent versions underwent changes. He said: “If you find an aquatic 50p error coin with lines over the face, it could be worth a small fortune.

“A small handful of this original design was put into circulation, but it was then adapted very quickly to show the face above the water. With so few of the original design out there, it’s meant the coin’s value has been pushed up significantly.”