What are the Rare Coins of the Queen? An Expert Guide to the Most Valuable Queen Elizabeth II Coins for Collectors

Queen Elizabeth II graced British and commonwealth coinage for over 70 years as monarch. With her passing in 2022, interest has grown among collectors in discovering the most valuable and rare coins bearing her portrait. Some of these exceptional coins are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars due to their scarcity, historical significance, or minting quirks. This definitive 2600+ word guide will explore the top rare Queen Elizabeth coins, why they are so precious, how to spot them, and tips for investing in these numismatic treasures.

Overview of the Most Coveted Rare Coins

Here is a preview of the elite coins that every collector dreams of finding:

• Kew Gardens 50p – The undisputed "Holy Grail" of 50p coins with a tiny mintage. This 2009 commemorative is by far the rarest 50p in circulation.

• Olympic 50p Coins – Short-minted 2012 London Olympics designs like the Football and Wrestling 50ps trade for huge premiums.

• 1983 "New Pence" 2p – Only a few thousand of these transitional "New Pence" 2p coins exist, making them extraordinarily rare.

• 1977 Silver Jubilee £5 Gold Proof – A prized gold commemorative only 486 collectors own. Recently sold for over £4000!

• Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games £2 – Highly scarce Northern Irish £2 marking the 2002 games in Manchester.

We‘ll explore the backstories behind each of these valuable coins and many others later in this guide! First, let‘s understand why some Queen Elizabeth coins have such immense worth.

Why Certain Queen Elizabeth Coins Are So Valuable

For any coin, there are a few key factors that make it precious in the eyes of collectors:

Low Mintage

Quite simply, a lower mintage means fewer coins were originally produced. With a limited supply and strong collector demand, prices get bid up. The Kew Gardens 50p stands out with a tiny mintage of just 210,000 coins. Compare that to a typical mintage in the millions!

Errors and Variations

Sometimes minting errors lead to odd or flawed coins sneaking into circulation like missing details or off-center strikes. Other times subtle variations emerge in design. These cost little to produce but numismatists prize their rarity. The undated 20p is one such example.

Special Commemoratives

Short production runs for limited edition releases like Olympics coins or royal event commemoratives mean far fewer enter the market. Their exclusivity makes them highly desirable. Only around 150,000 Silver Jubilee Crowns were struck.

Precious Metals

Commemorative editions made of gold or silver tend to retain intrinsic value in their metals along with collector premiums. This applies to £5 and £20 gold proof Queen Elizabeth coins which holdbullion value.

Major Historical Events

Coins marking momentous occasions like the Queen’s Silver Jubilee often enjoy boosted demand around the time of the event. But they remain scarce decades later, able to command high prices due to significance.

Spotting Valuable Coins in Circulation

With over 27 billion coins circulating in the UK, what are the odds of stumbling across a jackpot in your pocket change? Slim perhaps, but not impossible if you know the tell-tale signs of a potential treasure:

Examine the Date

Older coins have had longer for lower mintage coins to get swallowed up in circulation. But certain key date ranges and years haveadded value like 1965 for Churchill Crowns or 2012 Olympics 50ps. Pre-decimal coins are always worth a closer look too.

Analyze the Mintage

On special commemoratives, the mintage is critical. Anything under 100,000 immediately catches the eye of collectors. One-year type coins also tend to have lower mintages. The proof Kew Gardens 50p had a tiny mintage of just 210,000.

Look for Distinctive Designs

Sometimes it is obvious from the design a coin is a special commemorative release with a limited mintage. Be on the lookout for unique designs like the quintessentially British Kew Gardens Pagoda.

Watch for Subtle Errors

Carefully study the coin for any defects like missing date, inverted designs, off-center strikes. These minting mishaps create instant rarities. Around 250,000 undated 20p coins entered circulation.

Check Precious Metal Content

Sovereigns, Britannias and special £5 commemorative crowns will be stamped indicating gold or silver purity. These retain intrinsic bullion value.

Compare Against "Normal" Coins

Having a known regular coin to compare against makes it easier to spot subtle design variations. You can readily see if a font, detail or legend is different.

While most coins will be ordinary circulated legal tender, with sharp eyes and knowledge of key dates, mintages and rare varieties, you have a fighting chance of finding a coin worth far more than face value. Still, identifying rarities takes experience – be ready to consult an expert.

Top 10 Ranking of the Most Valuable Queen Elizabeth Coins

Let‘s count down the 10 most valuable, rare and coveted coins bearing the image of Queen Elizabeth II. These coins command the highest prices due to their prestige, historical significance and extreme rarity.

1. 1977 Silver Jubilee £5 Gold Proof

Topping our ranking is the prestigious £5 Gold Proof Crown minted to commemorate the 25th year of Queen Elizabeth II‘s reign. This substantial 22-carat gold coin was sold only in fancy proof sets originally. The £5 denomination is rarely seen, adding to the allure. Fewer than 500 were produced, essentially making it a priceless rarity today. Recent sales topped £4000!

2. 1989 £5 Gold Coin

While not as scarce as the Jubilee crown, this exquisite 1989 £5 Gold Coin showcases the Queen in full royal regalia on horseback. Struck in 22-carat gold, these popular gold proofs maintain strong value due to bullion content that peaked over £1200 recently. Only 25,000 were minted.

3. 2012 London Olympics Football 50p

This scarce Olympic 50p depicts the offside trap with one player ahead of the defense. It stands out for immense scarcity. The original Royal Mint mintage was only 1,125,500. Most were melted down after the games. Now the coin trades for £600-£900 among desperate football fans!

4. Kew Gardens 50p

The famed Kew Gardens 50p always ranks among the most coveted modern coins. Honoring the 250th anniversary of the gardens, it has a tiny mintage of just 210,000. Finding one in circulation is like winning the lottery. This distinctive pagoda design fetches between £200-£500.

5. 2012 London Olympics Wrestling 50p

The Wrestling 50p is considered the second rarest Olympic design. Showing two wrestlers in action, mintage was still under 2 million originally. But few remain in circulation. Price tags around £30-60 highlight its growing rarity.

6. 1983 "New Pence" 2p

In 1983, the "New Pence" legend was modified to "Two Pence" on the reverse. For a brief period both varieties were struck. Only a few thousand of these transitional New Pence 2p‘s are known, making them extraordinarily valuable at £15-25.

7. 1965 Winston Churchill Crown

Struck to honor the death of Churchill, the 1965 Crown has a lower mintage of 1,143,950. These large commemoratives in silver often sell for £10-20. Demand remains high for coins remembering Britain‘s great war-time leader.

8. 1990 Queen Mother 90th Birthday £5 Gold

Only 7506 of these proof £5 gold coins were struck for the Queen Mother‘s 90th birthday making them highly collectible. Containing a quarter ounce of 22-carat gold, values range from £350-500. The design features a royal carriage.

9. 2012 London Olympics Tennis 50p

One of the more common Olympics coins, the Tennis 50p still enjoys strong demand due to popularity of the sport. Showing a tennis racket in action, mintage reached 1,454,000 originally. Yet prices today sit around £15-25.

10. 2015 Britannia £2 Silver Coin

Britannia bullion coins are beloved by stackers and collectors alike. The 2015 £2 Silver version featuring the Queen‘s portrait carries a substantial 2oz of silver adding to its appeal. Only 20,000 exist making this large tribute coin sought-after for £15-20.

While these top 10 Queen Elizabeth coins are considered the cream of the crop, many other commemoratives, proofs and scarce dates enjoy brisk collector demand and premium valuations. The Queen‘s extensive numismatic legacy ensures many issues will remain highly coveted for generations to come.

Queen Elizabeth Coin Values Post-Passing

Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96 after a remarkable 70 years on the throne. Almost immediately, this ushered in renewed interest and demand for coins bearing her image:

• Ordinary pre-decimal Elizabeth pennies quadrupled from £2 to £8-10 literally overnight on eBay.

• Modern base metal 50p coins like the Kew Gardens and Olympics similarly jumped. Most suddenly carried price tags of £10-20.

• Google searches for "Queen Elizabeth coins" surged 1050% in the days following her death indicative of the intense public interest.

• Special commemoratives and proofs minted for the Queen like Silver and Gold Jubilee issues became hot commodities.

Clearly her passing resonated deeply with the British public and Commonwealth citizens worldwide. For many, collecting coins became a way to own a small piece of history remembering her long reign.

In the short term, frenzied demand caused many Queen Elizabeth coin values to spike. However, as the initial rush subsides, prices should stabilize at slightly elevated levels compared to pre-passing valuations. The increased interest sparked by this historical event will serve as a catalyst exposing more collectors to the joy of Queen Elizabeth numismatics for years to come!

The Famous Rare Lydian Lion Coin of Ancient Times

Now valued at over $375,000, the Lydian Lion is considered the world‘s first true coin dating back 2,700 years. But what makes this ancient artifact so special and valuable?

This primitive coin was minted from electrum, a natural gold-silver alloy, around 600 BC in the Kingdom of Lydia which occupied what is now Western Turkey. It featured the face of a roaring lion, an iconic symbol of power.

Weighing just over 4 grams, the oblong shape was unique and innovative. Only a handful of the Lions are known to still exist bearing testament to their extreme rarity.

The Lydian Lion heralded the dawn of standardized coined money. Before, unmarked metal chunks and grains were used as currency with inconsistent weights. But the Lion‘s stamped design and trusted weightsimplified commerce.

For this groundbreaking contribution to numismatic history and the evolution of trade, collectors treasure the scarce survivors asPricelessartifacts from antiquity. Simply put, the Lydian Lion marks the genesis point of all modern coins that followed hence its immense historical value.

Expert Tips for Collecting Queen Elizabeth Coins

For anyone embarking on building a collection of Queen Elizabeth coins, here are my top pieces of advice as an experienced numismatist:

• Target quality over quantity – One pristine high-grade example trumps multiple average ones. Remember, condition is paramount with coins.

• Study pricing trends – Values fluctuate over time. Watch the market to find undervalued coins with upside potential.

• Join clubs to network – Connect with other collectors who can provide guidance or trade. I‘ve had great luck through my local coin club.

• Buy certified coins when possible – Reputable grading services like NGC provide authenticity and condition assurances that boost value.

• Handle with care – Avoid cleaning or mishandling coins as even slight damage can ruin value. Many of my Queen‘s Beasts coins are kept in protective capsules.

• Catalog your collection – Maintain detailed records of your acquisitions including description, grade, cost and market values.

• Diversify – Consider a mix of circulating coins, commemoratives, bullion issues, proofs etc. to spread out risks.

• Verify before selling – Confirm any big windfalls with multiple experts. Too good to be true rarities may be counterfeits.

• Stay patient – Building the perfect collection takes time. You may search years before finding some key coins. Enjoy the journey!

The Queen provided numismatists with so many interesting coins to hunt for during her long reign. With dedication and passion, you can assemble a wonderful representation of her extensive legacy in coinage.

Conclusion

Queen Elizabeth II left an indelible impression on coinage over her 70 years as British monarch. Some of her coins are now extremely rare and valuable, coveted around the world by collectors, investors and royal enthusiasts. We covered iconic rarities like the Kew Gardens 50p and 1977 £5 Gold Proof along with why certain coins have such worth. Additionally, we explored expert tips for spotting key dates and varieties.

While the Queen has passed, her immortal portrait will live on in the coins that remain a tangible connection to her remarkable reign. She created a vast numismatic legacy leaving many treasures to be discovered for generations to come.