The FIRST EVER A-Z 10p Scarcity Index!

The latest Change Checker Scarcity Index update of 2018 is here and excitingly, we have now been able to put together our first ever A-Z 10p Scarcity Index!

This information has been compiled using data from the third quarter of the year and presented in the easy to use indexes below to help you track the performance of your coins.

 

FIRST EVER A to Z 10p Scarcity Index

As more coins are starting to appear in circulation and Change Checkers are adding them to their collection, we are now able to use this data to put together the very first A-Z 10p Scarcity Index.

Initially, 2.6 million A-Z 10p coins were released, however recent news has revealed that another 2.6 million coins have now entered circulation! Therefore, we have estimated a mintage figure of 200,000 for each design in order to put together this index, combining mintage figures with the number of each coin listed in Change Checker’s collections and the number of each coin requested to swap by Change Checkers.

The clear front runner is Z -Zebra Crossing, sitting 24 points ahead of the second place coin, M – Mackintosh. Whilst everyone seems to be struggling to find the A-Z 10ps, these top few coins appear to be the hardest to come across so far, whereas S – Stonehenge, K – King Arthur and A – Angel of the North seem to be the most common. A – Angel of the North was actually the top design for the A-Z 10p Swap Index, suggesting it is most popular and therefore being swapped more often if people are finding multiples of this design.

It is only early days in terms of creating a fully accurate Scarcity Index for these coins, as we still await confirmed mintage figures for each design, and of course it is possible that this may change as more coins are found in circulation.

 

50p Scarcity Index

 

We’ve seen a lot of movement on the 50p index this quarter, possibly due to the high numbers of 2017 Beatrix Potter 50ps which have now entered circulation.

The Battle of Britain and 2016 Beatrix Potter 50p have both jumped up the index, but the most significant increase goes to the 2017 Sir Isaac Newton 50p, which actually has the second lowest mintage figure for any commemorative 50p in circulation. This coin has moved up 12 places this quarter, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it continue to improve.

Of course, Kew Gardens still remains the most scarce UK 50p coin with a mintage figure of just 210,000 and in fact, our top 6 coins have remained consistent since last quarter.

 

£2 Scarcity Index

We’re still waiting on the 2017 WW1 Aviation and Jane Austen £2 coins to enter circulation, and so there hasn’t been much movement for the £2 index this quarter.

The ever popular Commonwealth Games £2 coins remain at the top, although Wales has now moved down to become the least popular of the four. Our final 8 remain consistent and the only major movement goes to the Wireless Transmission £2 coin, which has fallen 7 places down the index.

We’re eagerly awaiting the newer coins to enter circulation, which I’m sure will then cause a significant re-shuffle of the leaderboard!

 

How the Scarcity Index works

Generally collectors have had to rely upon mintage figures to identify the scarcest coins.  But they only tell part of the story.  Trying to find a good quality coin from 15 – 20 years ago, even for a higher mintage issue, is much more challenging than a more recent issue, as coins become damaged over time and are ultimately removed from circulation.

Additionally, some designs are more hoarded than others by people who might not normally collect coins – the poignant First World War £2 Coin series being an example. Finally, it can be up to a couple of years before the Royal Mint eventually confirms the actual mintage for an issue.

That’s why we have combined the mintage information with two other key pieces of information.

  • How many of each design are listed as “collected” by Change Checkers, indicating the relative ease of finding a particular coin.
  • The number of times a design has been requested as a swap over the previous 3 months, showing the current level of collector demand.

Importantly, as new coins are released and popularity rises and falls across different designs the Scarcity Index will be updated quarterly allowing Change Checkers to track the relative performance of the UK’s circulation coins.

 

How much are my coins worth?

The Scarcity Index does not necessarily equate to value but it is certainly an effective indicator.  For example, the Kew Gardens 50p coin commands a premium of up to 160 times face value on eBay.

 

What about £1 Coins?

The £1 Scarcity Index has already been published for the Round £1 coins and, because they are no longer being issued, this is now set in stone.

 


If you’re interested in coin collecting, our Change Checker web app is completely free to use and allows users to:

– Find and identify the coins in their pocket
– Collect and track the coins they have
– Swap their spare coins with other Change Checkers

Sign up today at: www.changechecker.org/app

21 Comments

  1. Morag martin on November 11, 2018 at 1:41 pm

    Iv got the robin 10p and the union Jack how rare are thay.



    • Yasmin Britton on November 13, 2018 at 4:31 pm

      Hiya, we don’t know what the confirmed mintages are currently but we expect them to be approx. 200,000 per design. Hope this helps. Thanks, Yasmin



  2. Laurie Wright on November 4, 2018 at 9:38 pm

    Managed to get a full set as struck by the mint of the 10p coins they look lovely but will not open the packaging. No idea what they are worth. Hopefully a few bob.



  3. Laurie on November 4, 2018 at 6:10 pm

    Managed to get a full set as struck by the mint of the 10p coins they look lovely but will not open the packaging. No idea what they are worth. Hopefully a few bob.



  4. barbara smith on November 4, 2018 at 11:09 am

    I have never seen the 10p where I live. The 2 pounds coins irrespective of what’s on them are scarce. So I wonder what is going on are people storing them. I have given up collecting because of this.



    • Laurence Wright on November 5, 2018 at 1:08 pm

      Where do you live, just been in the bank this morning and got £20 in 50p pieces and found 6 in the two bags.



      • Barbara Smith on November 5, 2018 at 5:32 pm

        I live in pontypool and to be quite honest our banks say they don’t have change only what people bring it.



  5. Diana Pembridge on October 25, 2018 at 8:40 am

    We visited your roadshow in Cabot’s Circus Bristol last Saturday have you any roadshows coming to South Wales in the near future



    • Rachel Hooper on October 25, 2018 at 11:49 am

      So glad you could make it last week Diana! Which coin did you get? We haven’t confirmed venues for next year yet unfortunately.



  6. Jim on October 24, 2018 at 9:03 am

    Good work pulling this together: I’m pleased to see that the only A-Z 10p I’ve got, letter O, is in 3rd scarcest place. It was found really early after release in change by a relative in Norfolk.



    • Rachel Hooper on October 25, 2018 at 8:17 am

      That’s a great find there Jim! With 5.2 million A-Z 10p coins in circulation, we can assume there are just 200,000 of each design, meaning that individually there are less out there than the rarest 50p in circulation, the Kew Gardens 50p. So it goes to show just how lucky you are to find one. Best of luck finding the rest!



  7. Steve Dunkerley on October 23, 2018 at 9:25 am

    Mary Seacole.



  8. Martyn Pattrick on October 22, 2018 at 4:57 pm

    Of the two coins WW1(Belfast) and Magna Carta what are the montage figures for 2014 and 2015
    WW1 states 650,000 how many of each minted they may be rarer than the commonwealth games



  9. Reece harding on October 22, 2018 at 2:30 pm

    that’s nice



  10. Michael turner on October 22, 2018 at 2:16 pm

    I got a monkey 50p and under ground 2pound 1863 on the top bottom 2013 and got lots more



  11. Brian mogie on October 22, 2018 at 11:39 am

    2.6 million 10p coins in circulation I can honestly say I’ve never seen 1 coin in my change or any where , hopefully that will change, Brian from the north east. Good luck finding them



  12. Jon on October 22, 2018 at 9:49 am

    What about the Silver 10p’s?



    • Rachel Hooper on October 23, 2018 at 10:02 am

      Hi Jon, the Silver 10ps won’t be entering circulation so unfortunately we won’t be able to create a Scarcity Index for them. Thanks, Rachel



      • Jon on October 23, 2018 at 10:42 am

        Ok thanks for the reply 🙁



  13. Paul Waters on October 22, 2018 at 9:41 am

    Thank you very much for the Scarcity List updated version. I still am waiting to find an A-Z 10p coin in my change or anywhere!!!



  14. Bill Stirups on October 22, 2018 at 9:24 am

    Why not as you have done in the past to help people collecting the new10p by swapping 1to5 coins by post instead of roadshows fairer I think.You have done it with £2 and 50p why not 10p