Scarcity Index
The FIRST King Charles III 50p joins the Scarcity Index!
It’s the Scarcity Index update we’ve all been waiting for, as the FIRST EVER King Charles III 50p finally makes an appearance!
4.9 million of these coins entered circulation in December 2022 and collectors have since been finding them in their change, adding them to their collections and swapping with other collectors.
But it’s time to reveal just how sought-after this new release really is…
Continue reading to find out and to discover the UK’s most sought after circulation 10p, 50p and £2s and see where the coins in your collection rank against the others you can find in your change.
This information has been compiled using data from the Change Checker Swap Centre and presented in the easy to use indexes below, with arrows to signify how many places up or down a coin has moved since the last Scarcity Index update.
50p Scarcity Index
The 50p index has seen quite a bit of movement since our last update, with a few coins shooting up the ranks, and a few gradually moving down. However, perhaps the most exciting update is the addition of the FIRST EVER King Charles III 50p!
The 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Memorial 50p (marked above with a star) appears on the scarcity index for the first time since entering circulation late last year. On 8th December 2022, 4.9 million 50ps entered circulation featuring King Charles III for the first time. We tracked the new coin up and down the country with our collector map, and it turned out the place you’re most likely to find a King Charles III 50p was Newcastle!
The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial 50p currently ranks as common on our scarcity index as it may not have made its way into many collections, and those who have found one have probably been reluctant to swap it. Watch this space though, as this new circulating coin could cause quite the shake up in the next Scarcity Index update!
Aside from the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial 50p, the biggest mover is the Ironside 50p, which has fallen 16 places since the last update. It’s unclear what’s caused this 10 year old coin to fall in the ranks, however with a circulating mintage of 7,000,000, you’re fairly likely to come across one in your change.
Another big mover is the Handball Olympic 50p which has climbed an astonishing 14 places, putting it in the top 10 with the other Olympic 50ps and of course the Kew Gardens 50p, which remains in the top spot.
If you’re new to collecting and want to find out more about circulation coins, you can check out our fact files here >>
Otherwise, keep reading to find out which 10ps and £2 coins you should be looking out for.
10p Scarcity Index
Whilst the top and bottom of our latest 10p Scarcity Index has remained stable, there has been a bit of a shake up among the coins in the middle.
Whilst Oak and Yeoman Warders have moved up 8 and 6 places respectively, Bond and NHS have both moved down by 10 places.
This comes as some surprise, as these were previously considered some of the most popular of the A-Z 10p coins.
It’s worth remembering that this Index is only ranking the 10ps against each other, when really even the ones at the bottom of the list are still incredibly sought-after and even now (4 years on since they were last released) they are still the coins every collector seems to talk about!
And that’s no surprise, as a maximum of JUST 304,000 of each A-Z 10p design entered circulation across 2018 and 2019 – making them some of the rarest coins out there. So make sure you keep your eyes peeled for them in your change!
£2 Scarcity Index
The top of the £2 index has remained stable, with those Commonwealth Games £2s proving to be the ones to look out for. And, with mintages ranging from just 485,000 to 771,750, you can see why these rare £2s are so sought-after!
We tend to see less movement on the £2 index due to the fact less coins have entered circulation in recent years.
However, it’s worth remembering just how rare and collectable some of these coins are, even after being in circulation for so many years.
A few others creeping up the ranks are the Florence Nightingale, London 2012 Handover and Darwin £2s, whilst Trinity House and Shakespeare Histories have taken a bit of a dip.
But, with less £2s entering circulation, it’s certainly worth holding onto any coins you can find, before they’re snapped up!
How your Scarcity Index works
Generally collectors have relied on 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.
What’s more, some designs are more hoarded than others by people who might not normally collect coins – for example the First World War £2 Coin series.
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. This allows Change Checkers to track the relative performance of the UK’s circulation coins.
How much are my coins worth?
The Scarcity Index doesn’t necessarily equate to value, but it is certainly a good indicator. For example, the Kew Gardens 50p coin commands a premium of up to 200 times face value on eBay and is unsurprisingly top of the 50p Index.
You can use our 6 point guide to help you determine a more realistic value for your coins.
What about £1 Coins?
The £1 Scarcity Index has already been published for the Round £1 coins. Because they are no longer being issued, this is now set in stone.
Receive new UK coins without the hassle of placing orders on the day of release!
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Don’t miss your chance to get ahead of the crowd and be one of the very first collectors to receive the latest UK new issue coins as soon as possible after their release.
The biggest movers yet! Your Scarcity Index Update…
It’s time for your latest Scarcity Index update, where we reveal the UK’s most sought after circulation 10p, 50p and £2 coins.
This information has been compiled using data from the Change Checker Swap Centre and presented in the easy to use indexes below, with arrows to signify how many places up or down a coin has moved since the last Scarcity Index.
50p Scarcity Index
Since our last update, the top 4 circulating 50ps have stayed strong with no movement. This means the Kew Gardens 50p is of course, still right at the top, closely followed by the Olympic Judo 50p.
Further down, we’ve seen some huge movers like the Olympic Boccia 50p which has climbed 13 places and the Beatrix Potter 50p which is up 10 places. The 2017 Peter Rabbit 50p which has also shot up 15 places!
There have also been some not so fortunate coins though. The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 50p has dropped 18 places and the 50 Years of Pride 50p is down an astonishing 27 places. The Pride 50p only entered circulation in October 2022, so perhaps most of them have made their way safely into your collections, or maybe they’re still out there waiting to be found.
If you’re new to collecting and want to find out more about circulation coins, you can check out our fact files here >>
Otherwise, keep reading to find out which 10ps and £2 coins you should be looking out for.
10p Scarcity Index
It’s all change on our 10p index this time, as every single coin has moved!
One to keep your eye on is the Angel of the North 10p which has climbed a massive 20 places since our last update. The Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead, has become one of the most recognizable pieces of public art ever. It’s also thought to be the largest sculpture of an angel in the world. So it’s no wonder the 10p has shot up in the rankings.
We’ve also seen big moves from the Bond 007 10p which is up 14 places. This could possibly be due to the recent anniversary marking 60 years since the first James Bond book was published.
Sadly though, the X marks the spot 10p’s rise in the last update was short lived. It’s fallen by 17 places, putting it at the bottom of the list.
Remember, a maximum of JUST 304,000 of each A-Z 10p design entered circulation in 2018 and 2019, making them some of the most sought-after coins out there. So make sure you keep your eyes peeled for them in your change!
£2 Scarcity Index
The £2 index remains fairly stable. This is to be expected as we’ve not had a £2 coin enter circulation since 2016.
Of course, remaining at the top of the Index is the 2002 Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland £2. With a mintage figure of just 458,000, it’s one of the rarest and clearly still one of the most popular £2 coin designs, even 20 years after entering circulation!
A few others creeping up the ranks are the Gunpowder Plot £2 which has climbed 5 places. The Shakespeare Histories £2 has gone up 7 places.
The biggest mover though is the Florence Nightingale £2 which has fallen 10 places.
How your 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. This allows 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 200 times face value on eBay.
You can use our 6 point guide to help you determine a more realistic value for your coins.
What about £1 Coins?
The £1 Scarcity Index has already been published for the Round £1 coins. Because they are no longer being issued, this is now set in stone.
Receive new UK coins without the hassle of placing orders on the day of release!
Join the Change Checker UK CERTIFIED BU Subscription Service and receive new UK coins sent to your door without the hassle of placing orders on the day of release!
Don’t miss your chance to get ahead of the crowd and be one of the very first collectors to receive the latest UK new issue coins as soon as possible after their release.
New circulation coin causes a shakeup! Your Scarcity Index Update…
It’s time for your latest Scarcity Index update, where we reveal the circulation coin causing a HUGE shakeup.
It’s your chance to discover the UK’s most sought-after circulation 10p, 50p, and £2 coins of the last three months!
This information has been compiled using data from the Change Checker Swap Centre and presented in the easy to use indexes below, with arrows to signify how many places up or down a coin has moved since the last Scarcity Index.
50p Scarcity Index
This quarter, it’s the circulation Pride 50p coin that has caused a huge Scarcity Index shakeup…
5 million Pride 50ps entered circulation in October, and it seems you’ve all been trying to get your hands on it as it’s climbed an astonishing 23 places!
If you’re new to the hobby and don’t know a lot about this coin, you can discover more here >>
Otherwise, stay with me as I’ll tell you the 50p to keep an eye on and the key movers on the 10p and £2 indexes!
The Wheelchair Rugby 50p has climbed up 16 places, putting it in the top 10 Scarcest 50ps in circulation.
And, with the first-ever King Charles III coin set to enter circulation next month, stay tuned for our next Scarcity Index update, where we’ll see its debut!
10p Scarcity Index
As we creep into the colder months, nothing beats an good cup of Tea to warm us up.
And things are certainly warming up on the 10p Index thanks to this coin.
The Tea 10p was first issued in 2018 as part of a 26-coin series celebrating all things Quintessentially British.
Another 10p to keep your eyes peeled for is the X Marks the Spot design. This has jumped up 17 places since our last Scarcity Index update.
A maximum of JUST 304,000 of each design entered circulation in 2018 and 2019, making them some of the most sought-after coins out there! So get checking your change for the A-Z 10p coins today!
£2 Scarcity Index
This quarter, we’ve seen the £2 index slow, with fewer moves. This is largely to be expected as we’ve not had a £2 coin enter circulation since 2016.
But, with a new era of UK coinage just around the corner, could we see a redesign of our £2 coins with King Charles III’s portrait on the obverse? Only time will tell.
But of course, the £2 remaining at the top of the Index is the 2002 Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland £2.
This coin has been in circulation for over 20 years but still remains a fan favourite. That’s because just 458,500 are out there.
Have you found this coin in your change? Let us know in the comments!
How your 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 200 times face value on eBay.
You can use the 6 point guide to help you determine a more realistic value for your coins.
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.
Receive new UK coins without the hassle of placing orders on the day of release!
Join the Change Checker UK CERTIFIED BU Subscription Service and receive new UK coins sent to your door without the hassle of placing orders on the day of release!
Don’t miss your chance to get ahead of the crowd and be one of the very first collectors to receive the latest UK new issue coins as soon as possible after their release.