The exact error to spot on rare coin that could be worth £2,000 – check if you have one in your wallet

Scottish Sun

25-04-2025

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COIN collectors are going wild over a rare 50p that could fetch up to £2,000 – and there's one key detail to watch for.
TikTok coin guru Coin Collecting Wizard, has revealed the small mistake that could make your change worth a small fortune.
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Around 600 coins were minted with a major error – wave lines cover the entire face, making the swimmer's features almost vanish
Credit: TikTok/coincollectingwizard
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As Barry outlines in his latest TikTok video, 'the secret is all in the face.'
Credit: TikTok/coincollectingwizard
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A comparison between what the coin should look like and the error in question
Credit: TikTok/coincollectingwizard
As he explains in his latest video, 'the secret is all in the face".
The Royal Mint, the official maker of British coins, regularly puts limited edition pieces into general circulation.
The coin in question is the 2011 Aquatics 50p, released to mark the 2012 London Olympics.
It was one of 29 commemorative designs struck for the games.
Most versions show a swimmer with a clear, visible face.
But around 600 coins were minted with a major error – wave lines cover the entire face, making the swimmer's features almost vanish.
As Barry states: "It's called the lines over face error and it was quickly corrected."
That tiny difference could bag you a huge payout.
According to Barry, one of the error coins recently went under the hammer for £2,000.
Even better, if you've got the collector's edition of the coin — sealed in a purple and teal card — there's a chance it's the rare misprint.
Is Your 50p Worth More Than You Think
One of those sold on eBay for a whopping £3,766 last August.
So if you've got any old 50ps lying around, it might be time for a proper rummage.
How to check if your small change is worth anything
If you think that you might have a rare coin then it's worth checking with an expert to see if yours could sell for a hefty price tag.
The most valuable coins are usually those with a low mintage or an error.
These are often deemed the most valuable by collectors.
You can check how much the coin is selling for on eBay by searching the full name of the coin, selecting the "sold" listing and then toggling the search to "highest value".
It will give you an idea of the amount of money that the coin is going for.
But it's not always the case that a coin has sold for the amount is was listed for.
Coins are really only worth what someone else is willing to pay for them.
Sometimes, collectors are willing to pay more for a coin if they need it to complete a set.
What makes a coin rare?
One of the most popular types of coins to collect are 50p pieces.
This is because of their large surface area, as there is enough spaces to add new and intricate designs on.
With a 27.5mm diameter, it's the biggest British coin and is used to celebrate big occasions, anniversaries, and historical events.
Errors make a coin unique which means they will most likely be worth more, as there a fewer of them.
Even without a misprint, if a coin has a low mintage there are fewer of them in circulation and so are deemed rare.
As a general rule of thumb, the rarer the coin the more valuable they are to collectors.
How to sell a rare coin
You can sell a rare coin on eBay, Facebook, or at an auction.
If you're selling on Facebook, there are risks attached, though, so be careful.
Sellers have previously been targeted by scammers on Facebook pretending to need a courier to pick a coin up and asking for payment, but it's a ruse and the courier is never sent.
To avoid this happening, it's always best to meet a Facebook seller in-person when buying or selling anything.
Ensure it's a public meeting spot that's in a well-lit area and if you can, avoid using payment links.
Most sellers prefer to deal with cash directly when meeting to ensure it's legitimate.
The safest way to sell a rare coin is more than likely at auction. You can organise this with The Royal Mint's Collectors Service.
It has a team of experts who can help you authenticate and value your coin.
You can get in touch via email and a member of the valuation team will get back to you.