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.

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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?

"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."

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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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