• [Dailystar Icon]
• Life & Style
• Rare coin

Check your pockets for 'rare' 50p coin from 2011 worth 2,000

The coin was released to commemorate the 2012 Olympics in London.

[A 50 pence coin from sterling currency]

An expert shared a 50p coin to look for that could be worth 2,000(Image: Getty)

A coin expert has advised Brits to keep their eyes peeled for a "rare" and "valuable" 50p piece that could be worth a small fortune. A specific variant of this 2011 coin could fetch as much as 2,000.

The Coin Collecting Wizard, an expert who shares is advice online, suggested that the coin you should be hunting for is part of a series commemorating the 2012 London Olympics. Known as the "aquatics" coin, it depicts a swimmer donned in goggles and a cap.

However, as reported by the Daily Record, only the earliest iterations of this coin carry significant value, potentially reaching up to 2,000 at auction. The expert said: "The Olympics Swimming 50p is one of the most famous and valuable modern UK coins with a rare version fetching up to 2,000.

"Released in 2011 as part of the 29-coin London 2012 Olympic series the original design featured a swimmer with water lines running across their face to represent the pool surface." If your coin showcases these water lines, you're in luck.

"Shortly after production began the Royal Mint decided the lines obscured too much detail and redesigned the coin so the swimmer's face was clearly visible," he added. "Only around 600 of the original water lines version were released before the change making it one of the lowest mintage 50p coins ever to enter circulation.

"Its extreme rarity coupled with its unique design quirk has turned it into a holy grail for change hunters. If you find one in your pocket you could be holding a coin worth thousands.

[A stack of fifty pence coins on a white background.]

This valuable coin was created to mark the 2012 London Olympics(Image: Getty)

"So remember, the normal version - just 50p - but lines over swimmer's face, then you just made two grand."

Currently, the Britannia Coin Company lists an uncirculated version of this coin for 3,995. The website explains: "These coins are eagerly sought by coin collectors and the 2011 aquatics coin, designed by Jonathan Olliffe, is already a fairly rare release.

"In the more common version of this BU 50p the face of the swimmer is clearly visible under the swimming pool waters. In this rare variation watery lines appear across the swimmers goggle-wearing visage. Supposedly only 600 of these 'lines across the face'".

"Aquatics 50ps were issued before the design was changed making them the rarest base metal 50p ever released."

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.