Rare London 2012 Olympic 50p coin sells for £4,000
A limited edition of the swimming 50p piece with a design flaw is sought by collectors.
Trust 30Craft 45Hype 41How this was reported ▾
The central claim is attributed to the Royal Mint, but no specific named individual or document is cited.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
The article explains what makes a coin valuable and lists other valuable coins, but lacks specific details about the reported sale.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
The headline uses 'rare' and 'extra-special' which is somewhat sensationalised for a coin collecting story.
How far presentation runs ahead of substance. Lower is better.
1 source assessed · methodology
A version of the London 2012 Olympic swimming 50p coin has sold for £4,000 on eBay, a sum 8,000 times its face value. The sale, which attracted 28 bids, has prompted collectors to search their change for this particular coin.
Design Flaw and Royal Mint Changes
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The Royal Mint described the coin as "extra special." Its design, created by Jonathan Olliffe, depicts a swimmer with fluid lines representing waves. However, in the initial release, these lines covered the swimmer's face. The Royal Mint subsequently modified the coin's design to make the face more visible shortly after its release.
A significant aspect for collectors is that the precise number of these first-design coins that entered circulation before the alteration is not known. The Royal Mint has stated that only extremely limited numbers were released in this initial format.
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The 50 pence piece is currently the most valued and collected coin in the United Kingdom. Its size allows for detailed designs, and it has frequently been used to commemorate significant events over the past five decades. Generally, the rarity of a coin, determined by its mintage numbers, is a primary factor in its value to collectors. The condition of the coin and any design errors can also increase its worth. The method of sale, whether through online auctions like eBay or via coin dealers, can also influence the final price achieved.
Questions this report answers
+How much did the rare 50p coin sell for?
A version of the London 2012 Olympic swimming 50p coin sold for £4,000 on eBay. This amount is 8,000 times the coin's face value of 50 pence.
+What makes this 50p coin rare?
The coin is rare because it is an early version of the London 2012 Olympic swimming coin where the design lines obscured the swimmer's face. The Royal Mint later altered the design to make the face clearer, and the exact number of the initial design coins in circulation is unknown.
+Where can I check if I have this coin?
Collectors are being encouraged to check their spare change, as the rare London 2012 Olympic swimming 50p coin may be found in circulation. The coin features a swimmer and has a design flaw where lines cover the swimmer's face in its first iteration.
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