An Atlantic Salmon 50p coin has sold for £83 on online marketplace eBay, marking a premium of more than 160 times its face value and underscoring continued demand for low-mintage UK circulating coins.
The coin forms part of a series of eight designs introduced by the Royal Mint following the accession of King Charles III. With a circulating mintage of 200,000, the Atlantic Salmon 50p is currently the rarest 50p in general circulation, overtaking the Kew Gardens 50p, which previously held that position among collectors.
The online listing described the coin as a “2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p no privy mark rare circulating UK coin in good condition”. After attracting 20 bids, it sold for £83 plus £2.72 in postage.
The Atlantic Salmon design was selected to represent UK flora and fauna. Wild Atlantic salmon populations have faced pressures including river pollution, habitat loss, overfishing and climate change, although the species remains present in rivers in Scotland, Wales, and parts of northern and south-west England.
The 50p coin has become one of the most actively collected denominations in the UK. Its 27.5mm diameter, the largest of any British coin, allows for detailed commemorative designs. Over the past five decades, it has been used to mark major national events and cultural milestones.
For collectors, mintage remains a primary driver of value, alongside condition and the presence of minting errors. Circulating coins in good condition with relatively low production numbers tend to command the highest premiums on secondary markets, particularly through online auction platforms.
Separately, the Royal Mint recently launched a new 50p commemorating the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s first commercial flight, produced in partnership with British Airways and Airbus, further highlighting ongoing demand for commemorative UK coinage.