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There is a lot of information circulating about the Swimmer 50p. A coin calculator helps establish realistic figures for common examples. However, the final value depends on variant confirmation and preservation. Careful identification always comes first, and pricing follows from there.
The Royal Mint Swimmer 50p Coin
The UK 50 pence Olympic swimming coin was issued for the London 2012 Games. It was struck by The Royal Mint as part of the 29-coin Olympic sports series.
Year: 2011 (issued ahead of the 2012 Games)
Denomination: 50 pence
Metal (circulation): Cupro-nickel
Weight: 8.00 g
Diameter: 27.3 mm
Designer: Jonathan Olliffe
Design
The reverse shows a swimmer cutting through water in a stylised, almost abstract form. The Olympic emblem and “London 2012” appear above the design. The obverse features the portrait of Elizabeth II (the circulating portrait used at the time).
Lines Across the Face 50p Coin – First Design
The “Lines Across the Face” 50p is the original version of the 2011 Olympic Swimming coin issued by The Royal Mint for the London 2012 series.
What is different?
On the first design, the stylised water lines run directly across the swimmer’s face and goggles. Shortly after release, the design was altered. The lines were removed from the face area, and the swimmer’s features became clearer.
The revised version is the one most commonly found in circulation.
Also read: Beatrix Potter 50p Coin Value.
How scarce is it?
The Royal Mint has not published separate official mintages for each design. However, the first version was only struck for a short period before the update. That is the reason it is noticeably less common.
“Attracting attention from keen collectors, the coin, with lines covering the swimmers face, inspired a mini bidding war with 36 bids placed during the online auction before selling for £296.21.”
— Joshua Searle, UK Today Editor
The National
Why the Swimmer 50p Was Redesigned
The Olympic Aquatics (Swimming) 50p went through a redesign because the first reverse artwork did not read cleanly once it was on a small, circulating coin.
The Original Problem: The Face Got “Lost”
On the first version, the stylised water lines run across the swimmer’s goggles and face. On a sketch or a large render that can look undoubtedly. On a 50p in circulation—small, reflective, and often scuffed—the lines visually break up the portrait area. So, the swimmer’s face looks obscured rather than “in motion.”
It Was Not a Minting Error in the Usual Sense
A lot of listings call it an “error coin,” but the better description is a design modification. A decision was taken to remove the lines around/over the head area before the coin was produced in the main volume for circulation.
Why the First Version Exists at All
Because coins are made from dies, not files. Once an initial die (or set of dies) exists, a small quantity can be struck before a change is implemented. After the redesign, the updated reverse became the standard type released widely, and the “lines across the face” type became the scarce earlier variant.
Why Collectors Care
The redesign created two visually distinct types:
First design: lines across the face (“lines over face”)
Revised design: face area clear
The Royal Mint has not published a clean official split of how many of each entered circulation, so you will see estimates only. Credible numismatic commentary usually avoids exact counts and sticks to “a few hundred believed released” rather than a hard number.
ID tip: If the water lines cut across the goggles/face area, it is the first design. If the face looks clear, it is the revised version.
How Rare Is the Swimmer 50p Coin?
There are two different conversations people lump together:
The normal Aquatics (Swimming) Olympic 50p (2011)
This is the standard circulating coin. The circulating mintage is 2,179,000. “Rare” is not the right word here. It is collectible, and it is getting harder to find in change because most have been pulled into collections.
The “Lines Across/Over the Face” first design
This is the earlier reverse where the water lines cross the swimmer’s face. Major graders describe it as a rare variety, but there is no official public split from The Royal Mint for how many of this variant exist.
Also read: First World War £2 Coin Value.
Current Swimmer 50p Coin Value
Prices swing with condition, packaging, and whether you are looking at retail listings or completed sales.
Type | What you have | Market level (GBP) |
Aquatics 50p (standard) | Circulated coin from change | ~£1.75–£3 |
Aquatics 50p (standard) | Uncirculated / “UNC” (clean, no wear) | ~£5 |
Aquatics 50p (standard) | BU in official Royal Mint-style card (sports collection) | ~£20–£35 |
Aquatics 50p (silver issue) | .925 silver BU with COA (sports collection) | ~£50–£80 |
“Lines Across the Face” variety | In original sealed pack/card, verified as the variety | three to four figures is normal territory |
What moves the price the most:
Variant confirmed: Lines across the goggles/face is the whole story for the premium variety.
Packaging & provenance: sealed original card/pack typically commands more than a loose coin.
Condition: fingerprints, hazing, and rim knocks kill premiums quickly, especially on BU/silver issues.
How to Check If Your Swimmer 50p Is Valuable
1. Confirm the Design Version
Start with the swimmer’s face.
If water lines clearly cross the goggles and face, you may have the first “lines across the face” design.
If the face area is clean and the water lines stop short, it is the standard revised version.
This is the most important factor. The revised version is common. The original version is the scarce variety.
Use magnification and strong lighting. Many coins are misidentified because glare makes lines look continuous.
2. Check Condition
Condition matters more than people expect.
Look for:
Edge knocks
Surface scratches
Loss of original lustre
Fingerprints or cleaning marks
A circulated standard Aquatics 50p is worth only a small premium over face value. An uncirculated example can cost more. For the rare variety, the condition affects whether buyers pay three figures or more.
3. Verify Authenticity (Especially for the Rare Variety)
The “lines over face” coin is widely faked and altered.
Warning signs:
Tooling marks where lines were artificially extended
Inconsistent surface texture around the goggles
Suspiciously bright or recently cleaned appearance
If you suspect you have the rare variety, professional verification through a recognised grading service is recommended.
4. Identify the Format
Ask yourself what you actually have:
A coin from circulation
A Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) version in original Royal Mint packaging
A silver proof edition with certificate
The silver proof version is a different product entirely and trades in a separate price range.
5. Compare Completed Sales, Not Listings
Ignore high “Buy It Now” prices. Instead, look at completed sales for coins in similar condition and packaging. That shows what buyers are actually paying.
6. Understand the Market Range
As a practical framework:
Standard circulated Aquatics 50p: modest premium
Standard uncirculated: small collector premium
Verified “lines across the face” example: substantial premium, highly condition-dependent
Careful identification (e.g., with the Coin ID Scanner app) is the first thing you should do, excitement second. If you are unsure, a clear photo of the swimmer’s face area is the best starting point.
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