Contents:
The 50p Brexit coin: we’ve had announced launches, paused mints, melted batches, and then, finally, the 2020 coin that is actually worth something. Along the way: rumours, a grammar spat, and a tiny number of ghosts from 2019.
There are ordinary pieces, and there are unicorns. The unicorns come from the botched 2019 dates. The ordinary one, like the 2020 Brexit 50p you see everywhere.
We’ll separate real errors from internet rumors, and show how Brexit 50p coin value changes wildly depending on which date sits under “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations.”
One phrase you’ll hear a lot: Brexit 50p with a second date could be worth £40,000. Sounds wild, but there’s a story behind that, two of them, actually. By the end, you’ll know which coin is rare, which isn’t, and what to do if you got your change.
Need to know if you have something valuable right away? Try to identify the coins to get immediate results on the approximate price and coin history.
The Origins of the Brexit 50p
The idea of a Brexit coin first appeared in 2018. Back then, the government planned to celebrate the official withdrawal from the European Union on 29 March 2019 with a commemorative release. The Treasury revealed a design having the inscription “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations”.
Around 1,000 coins were struck with that date, mainly for testing and internal use. But the Brexit deadlines shifted, so that edition never saw public release. In fact, 990 of them melted down. Only ten survived, locked away at the Royal Mint. They became the stuff ordinary people never had a chance of finding one in circulation.
Then came October 2019. After months of delays, a new “Brexit day” was set for 31 October 2019, and the Mint prepared again, this time striking well over a million coins. But history repeated itself. Another extension was agreed, the launch was scrapped, and nearly the entire batch was sent back to be recycled.
Against the odds, two examples surfaced. How they escaped the furnace is a mystery: mint error, human slip, maybe intentional, but they’re now confirmed in private hands. That’s why you’ll see headlines shouting that a rare Brexit 50p coin with a second date could be worth £40,000. With only two known, they sit among the rarest modern UK coins ever.
Every attempt to create a Brexit coin before the actual exit date ended in recycling bins. The back-and-forth gave rise to the term botched Brexit 50p coin, and with good reason. Still, the idea never went away.
The Official 2020 Brexit 50p
After two false starts, Brexit happened on 31 January 2020. This time, the Royal Mint was ready with the corrected design. Over 10,001,000 coins were struck and pushed into circulation on the very day the UK left the EU. Shoppers could find them in change, banks, and cash machines within hours.
The coin itself carried the same inscription as the cancelled versions: “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations.” Because this was the edition that actually reached the public, it’s the one most people know when they say Brexit coin 50p.
Online listings quickly appeared, with sellers pitching the coin as rare, unique, or valuable. Some even advertised the 2020 Brexit 50p coin for thousands of pounds, banking on hype. But the Brexit 2020 50p coin worth is 50 pence, its face value, because of that enormous mintage. With over 10 million in circulation, scarcity simply doesn’t exist.
That hasn’t stopped casual chatter or opportunistic sales. A handful of collectors keep pristine uncirculated versions in protective cases, but even those usually fetch only a few pounds above face.
Errors and Controversies
It stirred up arguments in unexpected places, especially over its inscription. The phrase “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” sparked outrage. Why? The missing Oxford comma. Author Philip Pullman even called for a boycott, saying it should have read: “Peace, prosperity, and friendship with all nations.” Not exactly a minting flaw, but it became the most talked-about Brexit 50p coin error nonetheless.
Beyond grammar wars, a flood of misinformation hit the market. Social media posts and eBay listings pushed stories about “rare errors” that didn’t exist. Scratches, mis-strikes, or ordinary wear were being marketed as valuable misprints. This is why collectors share a simple Brexit 50p coin warning: if it looks like ordinary damage, it’s not worth a premium.
So, what is the error on the Brexit 50p coin? Here’s the reality:
Design controversy: the Oxford comma debate.
Cancelled editions, coins dated 29 March 2019 and 31 October 2019, scrapped before release, are sometimes (wrongly) called “errors.” Fake claims sellers mislabelling scratches or circulation wear as errors.
There is no official Brexit 50p error confirmed by the Royal Mint. Collectors chasing genuine mistakes will be disappointed. The only real oddities are the botched editions tied to cancelled Brexit dates. If you want to collect something more stable, try Queen Elizabeth II Coins.
Online, you’ll find 50p Brexit coin listings asking for thousands, even £100,000 in a few cases. Sellers pitch them as “rare” or “historic.” But don’t believe the hype. The vast majority are just the 2020 Brexit 50p, minted in the millions. Those are worth face value. Nothing more.
So, is the Brexit 50p coin worth anything? Yes, but only in certain cases:
Edition | Survival | Market Value | Notes |
29 March 2019 | 10 (none in public) | Not for sale | Royal Mint only. |
31 October 2019 | 2 confirmed | ~£40,000 each | Ultra-rare “golden ticket.” |
31 January 2020 | 10,001,000+ | 50p (face value) | Flooded into circulation. |
So when people ask about botched Brexit 50p coin worth, the answer is split. If you’ve got the 2020 release, it’s just everyday change. If you somehow hold one of the two 2019 survivors, that’s life-changing money.
Collectors often get swept up by headlines like “Brexit 50p coin with second date could be worth £40,000”, true, but only for the two rare survivors. The ordinary 2020 Brexit 50p coin isn’t rare, and despite what sellers claim, it’s not an investment piece.
That’s why guides often repeat: the Brexit 50p coin, despite eBay listings up to £100,000, is only worth its face value. If you’ve got one with the January 2020 date, it’s a nice souvenir, nothing more.
Collecting Tips and Warnings
Check your change. Sounds obvious, but honestly, some of the best finds show up in everyday coins. People spend rare stuff without knowing it
Don’t clean them. Ever. That “shiny” look kills value. Collectors want the coin as-is, scratches and all
Start with what excites you. Maybe you’re into Shakespeare coins, maybe Olympic designs, maybe really old pennies. Doesn’t matter. If you actually like what you’re collecting, you’ll stick with it
Condition is king. A coin in mint shape can be worth three times what a beat-up one is. Use little plastic flips or capsules if you want to keep them nice
Learn the mint marks. In the US it’s P, D, S, W. In the UK, check the date and design instead
Don’t fall for hype. If someone’s flogging a “RARE COIN!!!” for £5,000 on eBay… it’s probably just a normal £2 that’s been polished. Always check a real value guide first
Connect with other collectors. Facebook groups, forums, even coin fairs. You’ll learn way more swapping stories than scrolling through random listings
Collect for fun, not just profit. Yeah, some coins are worth money, but if you’re only chasing cash, it gets boring
Where to Sell Rare 50p Coins
If you believe you’ve got something unusual, resist the urge to throw it straight on eBay with a fantasy price. Instead:
Contact a reputable auction house (Spink and Son is one specialist often cited)
Speak with established coin dealers who handle rare 50p coins UK wide. Established dealers (both online and high-street) buy and sell rare 50p coins every day. They know the market, and while you might not always get the absolute top hammer price, you’ll usually walk away with a fair deal and quick cash
Grading services: if your coin looks mint or hasn’t been in circulation, sending it to a grading service can be worth the cost. A professional grade proves authenticity, confirms condition, and often bumps the value, especially for something like a Kew Gardens 2009 or one of the rare 2011 Olympic designs
Collector communities: Facebook groups, specialist forums, and coin fairs are buzzing with enthusiasts. It can be a good way to trade, though you’ll need to be cautious and know the going rates to avoid underselling
If you got no luck, try collecting Early American Coins.
Common Scams and Warnings
The biggest Brexit 50p warning is simple: don’t fall for hype. Scams often include:
Ordinary 2020 coins listed as “rare” for thousands
Fake stories about misprints or “secret” editions
Sellers offering replicas or novelty versions as real coins
If you’re wondering how to sell rare 50p safely, always go through trusted dealers or auctioneers. Collector forums can be useful, but they’re not foolproof. Read the guide on how What Makes a Coin Valuable to know more.
Should You Keep a Brexit Coin?
Yes, if you like history. The 2020 Brexit 50p is a political moment, even if it’s not valuable. For future generations, it’s still not a retirement plan.
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