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What Makes a Five Pound Coin Rare?
Modern £5 coins (Crowns) are typically issued as commemorative items and not intended for general circulation. Unlike 50p or £2 coins that you might find in your pocket change, £5 coins are primarily collector items sold in special presentation packaging. However, some are significantly rarer than others, making them highly valuable to collectors.
When discussing £5 coin rarity, it's crucial to distinguish between different striking standards. The most important figures are Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) mintages—these represent coins struck to a higher standard than "circulated quality" and sold in individual presentation packs. BU mintage figures are what determine true rarity and value.
Key factors that determine £5 coin rarity and value include:
- Mintage figures: Lower mintages mean higher rarity.
- Condition: BUNC and Proof coins are more valuable.
- Demand: Popular themes like Music Legends or Royal events command higher prices.
Important: Modern £5 coins (Crowns) are NOT intended for general circulation. Unlike 50p or £2 coins that you might find in your change, £5 coins are primarily issued as commemorative collector items. While they are legal tender, most shops are unfamiliar with them and may refuse to accept them. These coins are found in drawers, inheritances, or purchased from The Royal Mint—not in everyday pocket change.
Data Source: Mintage figures sourced from The Royal Mint's official Annual Reports. Values reflect recent market prices.
The Crown Heritage: From 25p to £5
Modern £5 coins are the direct descendants of the commemorative Crown coins that were previously denominated at 25 pence (equivalent to the old Five Shilling crown). This transition represents an important evolution in British commemorative coinage.
The 25p Crown Era (1972-1981)
Before the modern £5 coin, The Royal Mint issued commemorative Crowns with a face value of 25 pence. The most famous examples include:
- 1972 Silver Wedding Crown: Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's 25th wedding anniversary. This was the first British coin to have a face value of 25 pence, with a mintage of approximately 7.45 million.
- 1977 Silver Jubilee Crown: Marking the Queen's Silver Jubilee, this coin had a much higher mintage of over 37 million and remains common today.
- 1980 Queen Mother 80th Birthday Crown: Commemorating the Queen Mother's milestone birthday.
- 1981 Charles and Diana Wedding Crown: Perhaps the most collected Crown, issued for the royal wedding with a mintage exceeding 27 million.
The Modern £5 Crown (1990-Present)
In 1990, The Royal Mint introduced the £5 denomination for commemorative Crowns, representing the new standard for royal and historical celebrations. This change reflected inflation and positioned these coins as premium collector items rather than potential circulation pieces.
The first £5 Crown was issued in 1990 to celebrate the Queen Mother's 90th birthday, establishing the pattern of using £5 coins for the most significant royal anniversaries, coronations, jubilees, and historical commemorations.
Collecting Tip: While older 25p Crowns are generally common and worth face value (except rare proof versions), modern £5 Crowns with low BU mintages can command significant premiums. The 2008 Prince Charles 60th Birthday (14,088 BU) and 2014 Queen Anne (12,181 BU) are the holy grails of £5 coin collecting.
Value Chart: Notable £5 Coins
| Rank | Coin Name | Year | BU Mintage | Avg Value (BU) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prince Charles 60th Birthday | 2008 | 14,088 | £80 - £150 |
| 2 | Queen Anne | 2014 | 12,181 | £60 - £90 |
| 3 | Queen Mother Centenary | 2002 | ~50,000 | £15 - £25 |
| 4 | Diamond Jubilee | 2012 | ~100,000 | £12 - £18 |
| 5 | King Charles III Coronation | 2023 | TBC | £10 - £15 |
| 6 | Coronation 60th Anniversary | 2013 | ~150,000 | £10 - £15 |
| 7 | George III 200th Anniversary | 2020 | ~80,000 | £12 - £18 |
Disclaimer: Values are estimated selling prices and for guidance only.
The Rarest £5 Coins
Here are the most valuable and sought-after £5 coins in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, based on official Royal Mint mintage figures and current market values.
1. 2008 Prince Charles 60th Birthday
BU Mintage: 14,088Image
- Year: 2008
- BU Mintage: 14,088
- Average Value (BU): £80 - £150
- Rarity: Rarest circulated-quality £5 ever issued
The rarest UK £5 coin in "circulated quality" history. Released to celebrate Prince Charles' 60th birthday in 2008, this was one of the last £5 coins issued at face value. The reverse features a portrait of Prince Charles by Ian Rank-Broadley with the inscription "ICH DIEN" (I serve), taken from the Badge of the Prince of Wales.
With only 14,088 BU coins struck, this coin has become extraordinarily sought-after, especially since Charles became King in 2022. Values have appreciated significantly, with examples regularly selling for £100+ in pristine condition.
2. 2014 Queen Anne
BU Mintage: 12,181Image
- Year: 2014
- BU Mintage: 12,181
- Average Value (BU): £60 - £90
- Rarity: Rarest BU £5 from Royal Mint
Issued to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the death of Queen Anne, the last Stuart monarch. The reverse features an elegant portrait of Queen Anne styled as an 18th-century miniature by Mark Richards, surrounded by an ornate frame incorporating the Royal Arms of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
This is officially the rarest Brilliant Uncirculated £5 coin from The Royal Mint's commemorative programme. Queen Anne reigned from 1702-1714 and oversaw the 1707 Act of Union which created the Kingdom of Great Britain.
3. 2002 Queen Mother Centenary
BU Mintage: ~50,000Image
- Year: 2002
- BU Mintage: ~50,000
- Average Value (BU): £15 - £25
Released to celebrate the centenary of the Queen Mother's birth. This popular commemorative features a portrait of the Queen Mother and was issued in the year of both her 100th birthday celebration and her death in March 2002.
While more common than the top two rarities, this coin remains collectible due to its historical significance and the beloved status of the Queen Mother.
4. 2023 King Charles III Coronation
BU Mintage: TBCImage
- Year: 2023
- BU Mintage: TBC
- Average Value (BU): £10 - £15
- Significance: First UK coronation in 70 years
Commemorating the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May 2023, this coin features a historic first—the King wearing the Tudor Crown on the obverse, marking the first time a UK monarch has worn a crown on a British coin effigy in over 350 years. The portrait was created by Martin Jennings.
The reverse by Timothy Noad depicts the coronation regalia: St Edward's Crown and the Sovereign's Sceptres. As the first British coronation of the 21st century, this coin has generated significant collector interest and is expected to become highly sought-after.
5. 2012 Diamond Jubilee
BU Mintage: ~100,000Image
- Year: 2012
- BU Mintage: ~100,000
- Average Value (BU): £12 - £18
Issued to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years on the throne. 2012 was a landmark year for British commemoratives, coinciding with the London Olympic Games.
This coin remains popular with collectors as a memento of the late Queen's remarkable reign and the national celebrations that took place throughout 2012.
Collecting Other UK Denominations
If you're interested in rare £5 coins, you might also want to explore other valuable UK denominations:
Rare 50p Coins: Unlike £5 coins, 50p pieces circulate widely and can be found in your change. The 2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p (mintage: 200,000) has overtaken the famous Kew Gardens as the rarest in circulation. Explore our complete rare 50p coins guide →
Rare £2 Coins: Two pound coins offer excellent collecting opportunities with the 2002 Commonwealth Games series being highly sought-after. The Northern Ireland version (mintage: 485,500) is the rarest £2 in circulation. View our rare £2 coins guide →
Each denomination offers unique collecting challenges and rewards. £5 coins are about hunting for low-mintage commemoratives, while 50p and £2 coins can still be found in everyday change, making them accessible to all collectors.