eBay has become one of the world’s most popular sites for coin collectors and enthusiasts to find unique pieces to add to their collections. The platform is a goldmine when it comes to finding rare coins, with many people looking to make big bucks in a quick and easy way from their loose change. Coins can often be sold for sky-high prices, many of which are common coins that are currently circulating in the UK. One such piece is the ‘Battle of Hastings 2016 50p” coin, which was recently posted on the site for a shocking £2,000,000.
Branded as “extremely rare” by current owner, the seller, who goes by the screen name ‘khanura’ has graciously allowed interested buyers to purchase the coin instantly through the ‘Buy Now Function’ for £2,000,000.
However, generously the seller is offering the buyer free standard postage and delivery. So at over 10,000 times its face value, is the coin as rare as the owner is claiming?
Designed by Jog Bergdahl, the coin depicts Harold, King of England, being shot in the eye.
The defeat of Harold and the English army was a turning point in British history, with England then being ruled by William of Normandy, or “William the Conquerer”.
Highlighting the battle the coin features the engraving of a solider, with the inscription “Battle of Hastings” and the date “1066”.
The Bayeux tapestry inspired the coin’s design, a 70-meter long cloth known as the only visual record of battle and the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in 1066.
Despite its eye-catching design and being listed for thousands of pounds, the coin is actually not that rare.
The coin website Change Checker revealed the coin is ranked as “one” on the scarcity index, making it fairly common. According to the website five million were minted in 2016.
The coin’s mintage makes it quite possible that many Britons will currently be carrying this 50p.
The user “khanura”, uploaded a single image of the coins and stated: “Buyer will receive 1 if s/he pays £2 million.
“Buyer will receive both coins if s/he pays £4 million.”
What is the rarest coin?
With so many commemorative coins released each year, it stands to reason that some become more rare than others, going on to fetch more than a pretty penny at auction
1. Kew Gardens
No change at the top, as the Kew Gardens 50p remains the rarest coin in circulation, with just 210,000 of them created a decade ago.
Released to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Gardens, the coins can sell for up to £160 on eBay.
2. 2002 N. Ireland Commonwealth Games £2
Just under half a million (485,500 to be precise) of these £2 coins celebrating Northern Ireland’s participation in the Commonwealth Games of 2002 were minted, making them the rarest variant of the £2 coin around.
Part of a set depicting the four home nations – Wales, England and Scotland versions of the same coin are also highly sought after – if you have one in your possession, an asking price of £30 is not unreasonable to collectors.
3. 2015 Navy £2
The standard collector’s price for this coin – released to commemorate the Royal Navy’s efforts in World War One – is about £10, however some are selling for as much as £100 on eBay.
It features a battleship design by military artist David Rowlands and the fifth portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to appear on UK coinage.
Only 650,000 of them were ever produced.
4. 2015 Britannia £2
You’d expect the introduction of a new standard design of coin to come with high mintage figures, but in the year that the Britannia £2 design was brought in (replacing the old ‘Technology’ design which had featured on the coin since 1997), only 650,000 of them produced.
This makes a 2015 dated £2 coin the joint third rarest £2 coin in circulation.
5. 2002 England Commonwealth Games £2
With just 650,500 produced, England’s entrant to the Commonwealth Games set is the third rarest of the four (Scotland’s is ‘least’ rare, though is still fairly scarce with only 771,750 ever made).
Again, it follows the usual Commonwealth Games £2 coin design, but feature the cross of St. George, and sells for similar prices to the Scottish coin – about £10.