Olympic 50p coins that are worth more than others

There are lots of commemorative coins in the UK. The 50p, in particular, is great for different designs because of its size. Certain collections are available, and, within those collections, some coins may hold a greater value than others.

Here will look into the London 2012 Olympic 50p coin collection. Keep reading to find out more about which Olympic coins are worth more than others.

Olympic 50p coins

The London Olympics of 2012 was a momentous and historic occasion. It was a record-breaking third time that London had hosted the Summer Games. Two previous Olympic tournaments were held in London in 1908 and 1948.

A massive wodge of cash was invested into the city’s infrastructure to support the games and the influx of visitors.

In the 2012 games, team GB achieved its best medal haul in over a century, including 29 gold medals, 17 silver medals, and 19 bronze medals. This led to a third-place finish overall.

But, anyway, onto the coins!

In preparation for the games, the Royal Mint released the Olympic collection of 50p coins in 2011. There were 29 new coins in total, each depicting a different Olympic sport.

Each coin had a different designer. Only Natasha Ratcliffe (handball and wheelchair rugby) and Jonathan Olliffe (aquatics and gymnastics) had the honour of designing two coins each.

The collection was available to the general public, and each coin had a varying circulation. As a result, some coins are more sought-after by collectors than others.

Some collectors aim to collect the full set, while others might focus on the more valuable coins. Collector sites and online auction sites, such as eBay, offer varying prices for different coins.

The Olympic 50p coins that are worth the most

Here are the most valuable Olympic coins including what values to expect if you want to sell your collection.

The top rarest Olympic coins include:

• Football
• Wrestling
• Judo
• Triathlon
• Tennis

Each of these had a circulation of less than 1.5 million. The rarity of a coin will always increase its value.

The type of coin will also have a bearing on its monetary worth. Circulated coins have a lower value than a ‘Brilliant Uncirculated’ (BU) coin. There is no difference between the coins themselves, but a BU coin can only be purchased directly from a mint. It may be the same age as a circulated coin, but retains the pristine condition of a brand new one.

You might have heard the term ‘mint condition’. This relates to something in perfect condition that was made with no flaws. BU coins should retain this quality.

Let’s look at some examples:

Olympic Football

The Olympic Football coin depicts the offside rule. The average value of a circulated coin will be somewhere around the £13 mark. A BU Olympic Football coin is valued more highly, at around £25.

Olympic Judo

An Olympic Judo coin that has been circulated is typically valued at around £10. A BU Judo coin might fetch closer to £15.

Olympic Wrestling

Olympic Wrestling 50p coins are worth around £8 for circulated coins and £12 for BU.

Olympic Aquatics

There is one other coin that is far and away the most valuable: the withdrawn Aquatics 50p.

Regular Aquatics coins will reach around £2 in value for circulated coins and £5 for BU.

While its mintage figures aren’t particularly low, some coins have an error, meaning they’re highly sought after.

A rare early adaption that shows the waves on the coin passing over the swimmer’s face exists.

It is believed that between 600 and 2,000 of these rare coins were ever released.

The rarity of this coin means the value is far higher than others. These prized collective items have previously been sold for several hundred pounds.

Check out other rarest 50p coins you could have in your change.

Olympic 50p coins circulation and estimated value

Aquatics

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 2,179,000
  • Value: £2
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 157,990
  • Value: £5

Archery

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 3,345,500
  • Value: £1
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 140,195
  • Value: £4

Athletics

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 2,224,000
  • Value: £2
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 168,498
  • Value: £4

Badminton

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 2,133,500
  • Value: £1.50
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 124,237
  • Value: £3.50

Basketball

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,748,000
  • Value: £2
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 137,157
  • Value: £6

Boccia

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 2,166,000
  • Value: £2
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 126,662
    • Value: £4

Boxing

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 2,148,500
  • Value: £1.50
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 142,151
  • Value: £3.50

Canoeing

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 2,166,500
  • Value: £1.50
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 116,114
  • Value: £4.50

Cycling

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 2,090,500
  • Value: £1.50
• Brilliant Uncirculated
  • Amount: 156,872
  • Value: £4.50

Equestrian

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 2,142,500
  • Value: £1.50
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 145,122
  • Value: £6

Fencing

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 2,115,500
  • Value: £1.50
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 130,815
  • Value: £5

Football

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,125,500
  • Value: £13
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 188,262
  • Value: £25

Goalball

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,615,500
  • Value: £2.75
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 114,334
  • Value: £5

Gymnastics

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,720,813
  • Value: £2
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 145,895
  • Value: £5

Handball

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,676,500
  • Value: £2
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 117,566
  • Value: £5.50

Hockey

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,773,500
  • Value: £2.50
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 130,813
  • Value: £4

Judo

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,161,500
  • Value: £10
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 128,442
  • Value: £15

Modern Pentathlon

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,689,500
  • Value: £2
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 123,357
  • Value: £5

Rowing

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,717,300
  • Value: £2
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 140,977
  • Value: £4.50

Sailing

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,749,500
  • Value: £2.25
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 138,535
  • Value: £4.50

Shooting

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,656,500
  • Value: £2.50
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 125,398
  • Value: £6.50

Table Tennis

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,737,500
  • Value: £2.25
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 123,195
  • Value: £4.50

More information on the Table Tennis 50p.

Taekwondo

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,664,000
  • Value: £2
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 120,210
  • Value: £6

Tennis

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,454,000
  • Value: £2.50
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 144,535
  • Value: £4.50

Triathlon

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,163,500
  • Value: £10
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 146,354
  • Value: £15

Volleyball

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 2,133,500
  • Value: £1.50
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 124,115
  • Value: £4.50

Weightlifting

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,879,500
  • Value: £2
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 121,778
  • Value: £4.50

Wheelchair Rugby

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,765,500
  • Value: £2
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 121,175
  • Value: £4

Wrestling

• Circulated:
  • Amount: 1,129,500
  • Value: £8
• Brilliant Uncirculated:
  • Amount: 127,279
  • Value: £12

Olympic 50p coin specifications

Year of release

2011

Size

27.3mm in diameter

Weight

8g

Material

Cupro-nickel