Olympic Aquatics 50p (Lines Across Face)

Summary of Value & Key Facts (Rare “Lines Across Face” Variant)

This card covers the rare first edition Aquatics 50p, where the swimmer’s face is obscured by horizontal water lines. The design was quickly modified so that the face was clearly visible, leaving only a tiny number of original pieces in existence. These coins are now high-end trophy items for Olympic 50p collectors.

Core specs and rarity information for the rare “lines across the face” Aquatics 50p variant.

The rare Aquatics “lines across face” coin is effectively the first edition of the design. It was produced exactly as originally intended – with the water flowing across the swimmer’s face – before the Royal Mint altered the reverse to show more of the features. That small initial batch is what makes this coin so coveted.

• Not strictly an error: Despite often being described as an “error coin”, this variant is better understood as an original design that was replaced early on. Production with the full water lines was stopped and the artwork reworked, leaving a very low number of first-design pieces in sets and (possibly) limited circulation.
• How to recognise the rare version:
  • The swimmer’s entire face – including the goggles – is crossed by a set of horizontal water lines.
  • On the common coin, those lines are cut back so the facial features are clearly visible, with the water indicated above and around rather than directly over the face.
  • The rest of the design (London 2012 logo, “50 PENCE” placement, obverse lettering) is the same on both versions.
• Rarity in context: With an estimated mintage of about 600, this variant is dramatically rarer than headline circulation pieces like the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p (210,000 minted). Among base-metal UK 50p coins, it sits firmly in the “ultra-rare” category.
• Fakes and copies: High values mean there are numerous replicas and altered coins on the market.
  • Some pieces start from the common design and have extra lines crudely added, often with soft or uneven detail.
  • Others are outright souvenir tokens made to resemble the real coin but with off-spec weight, colour or finish.
  • For four-figure purchases, serious collectors tend to insist on authentication by a recognised grading service or provenance from a reputable auction house.
• Value behaviour: Recent years have seen strong prices at specialist auctions and on major marketplaces, with graded or carded coins achieving hammer prices in the high hundreds to low-thousands. Realised prices vary widely depending on:
  • grade (from circulated to top-end AU/UNC),
  • whether the coin is still in its original Royal Mint Olympic card,
  • and the level of bidder competition on the day.
• Best way to hold it: Given the rarity and value, these coins are usually kept:
  • in their original London 2012 presentation card, or
  • in a tamper-evident slab from a major grading service,
  both of which help with long-term protection and future resale.
• Collecting strategy: For most collectors, this coin is a long-term “grail” piece to sit at the top of an Olympic 50p set. If you are buying, focus on provenance, authentication and overall eye appeal rather than chasing the absolute cheapest example you can find.

In short, the 2011 Olympic Aquatics 50p “Lines Across Face” variant is a true modern rarity: same basic specs as the common Aquatics coin, but with a first-edition reverse design, a tiny estimated mintage and auction results that put it firmly in the top tier of UK 50p trophies.