Savvy coin collector urges people to check change after making almost £200 from rare 50p piece

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A savvy coin collector is urging people to check their change after making almost £200 by selling a rare 50p piece.

Darren James, 38, bought a 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coin off eBay three years ago for £80. He decided to sell the coin on eBay with no idea how much money he would get for it, or if he would break even. According to Darren, it was a "slow-burner" and he had hardly any interest until the final hour of the bidding when the price skyrocketed to £186.11.

Darren, from Plymouth said: "I bought the coin three years ago to jump on the bandwagon after I saw an advert to check your change. It was quite exciting, it was like how far are we going to go here?

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"It was up for a week, and I had barely any interest. In the last twenty minutes, hundreds of people started bidding. It got to £186.11 so I made about £100."

Former navy chef Darren has now "caught the bug" and collects the Olympic Games coins and £5 coins and now has around 100 in his collection. He added: "I’ve got into the mintage world and looking into how much they are worth. It’s like an itch I’ve scratched. It’s definitely worth checking your change."

Darren is using the extra money he is making from selling coins to put towards renovating his home.

The coin which sold for almost £200 The coin which sold for almost £200
The coin which sold for almost £200 | Royal mint
  1. 2009 - Kew Garden - 210,000 minted
  2. 2011 - Olympic Football - 1,125,500 minted
  3. 2011 - Olympic Wrestling - 1,129,500 minted
  4. 2011 - Olympic Judo - 1,161,500 minted
  5. 2011 - Olympic Triathlon - 1,163,500 minted
  6. 2018 - Peter Rabbit - 1,400,000 minted
  7. 2018 - Flopsy Bunny - 1,400,000 minted
  8. 2011 - Olympic Tennis - 1,454,000 minted
  9. 2011 - Olympic Goalball - 1,615,500 minted
  10. 2011 - Olympic Shooting - 1,656,500 minted

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