The circulating definitive 2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p coin, released in November 2023, has been confirmed as the rarest 50p coin in circulation.
The 'worst kept' secret in coin collecting was confirmed by the Royal Mint on the 7th October 2024, that only 200,000 of the Salmon 50p coins had been released into circulation, knocking the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p off top spot.
Design of the 2023 Atlantic Salmon circulating 50p coin
The reverse design of the coin features an Atlantic salmon on the right-hand side of the coin leaping from the water. To the left is the inscription '50 PENCE' on a background of three interconnecting C's repeated from top to bottom to represent King Charles III.
The reverse design (the salmon / tails side) is exactly the same on coins found in circulation and in Royal Mint sets. The difference comes on the obverse (heads) side of the coin.
The obverse features the 1st portrait of King Charles III by British sculptor Martin Jennings with the inscription CHARLES III • DEI • GRA • REX • FID • DEF • 2023 •
The version you will find in your change WILL NOT have a privy mark, as per the image below. The coins without a privy mark and dated 2023 are the rarest coins in circulation and they are the ones that have a mintage figure of only 200,000.
The Salmon 50p coins in the Royal Mint sets include the special privy mark (the little crown) shown below, behind the King's head. This version of the coin is only found in the 2023 Definitive Annual Sets, and can still be bought from the Royal Mint for £34.
Just to add a little more confusion, the privy mark is only found in 2023 Annual Sets and not in the 2024 Annual Sets as per the image below.
The confusion over the different versions of the Salmon 50p
When the news broke of the Salmon 50p being the rarest in circulation, everyone was scrambling to get hold of the coin and rightly so.
Unfortunately, from what we have seen on eBay and other online market places, buyers were spending lots of money on the 'wrong' version, they were paying large sums of money for a coin they could buy in a set from the Royal Mint.
The 2023 Salmon 50p with privy mark and the 2024 Salmon 50p without privy mark, can still be bought from the Royal Mint for £34.
Which version is worth the most?
The one dated 2023 without a privy mark.
Mintage 200,000
How much is it worth?
Online market places such as eBay and Amazon have coins available, but as always, check out the seller, the listing description, photos and do as much research before buying. At the moment, the latest sales figures show these coins are being sold for around £150 but this is predicted to rise considerably.
Remember, check it is dated 2023 and that it does NOT have a privy mark.
If you can't find one in the wild, you do have another option: circulated versions are available from ourselves by clicking here.
The Royal Mint has an online shop where you can buy various coins in circulated, uncirculated, silver proof and gold proof condition.
Are there any known errors for the 2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p coin?
The Royal Mint has not confirmed any official errors for this coin.
What is the Privy Mark?
A privy mark is a small symbol or mark that sometimes appears on coins honouring special or historic occasions, such as coronations and jubilees. Some of the 2023 definitive UK coins feature a special privy mark that takes the form of a Tudor Crown. Other marks known as ‘mint marks’ can also help identify where and when a coin was made.
3 comments
Keith jones
The privy mark is only on the first 50,000 coins so the the unmarked coin is more common!
Rob
I have two 2023 salmon King Charles coins without the prevy Mark, lucky me!.
Steve jackson
Hi, is the 200,000 coins the Charles salmon 50p the total minted including the privy marked one, if not what is the mintage number of marked one please