By UK Coins
Run by UK coin collectors since
2016.
Providing independent numismatic guidance.
In 2011, ahead of the London 2012 Games, The Royal Mint released 29 different 50p designs into circulation. Each design represented a different Olympic or Paralympic sport, from Aquatics to Wrestling.
These coins triggered a collecting frenzy that continues to this day. They are estimated to have kick-started the hobby for over 75% of current UK coin collectors. But are they still valuable? And which ones should you be looking for?
Quick Fact: There were 29 sports designs released. A 30th design, the "Completer Medallion", was never circulated and was only available in the official collector album.
Table of Contents
The "Offside Rule" Football 50p
1. Football (Offside Rule)
- Mintage: 1,125,500
- Circulated Value: £10.00 - £15.00
- BU Value: £25.00+
The Football 50p is widely considered the key coin to any Olympic collection. While not as rare as the Kew Gardens 50p, it has the lowest mintage of any Olympic sport design at just over 1.1 million.
Designed by sports journalist Neil Wolfson, the coin was created to explain the complex "offside rule" in football using a simple diagram. Its crossover appeal to football fans and coin collectors alike has kept demand (and prices) consistently high.
Check Prices on eBayThe Aquatics Error (Swimmer Lines)
⚠️ The Holy Grail: Aquatics with Lines
- Estimated Mintage: Unknown (Very Low)
- Value: £800 - £1,500+
- Status: Extremely Rare Variety
This is the one everyone hopes to find. When the Aquatics coin was first designed, the water lines passed directly over the swimmer's face. The Royal Mint decided this obscured the design too much and modified the die so the lines would break around the face.
However, a small number of the original design (lines across face) were minted and released into circulation before the change was made. It is one of the rarest 50p error varieties in existence.
How to spotting it: Look closely at the swimmer's face. If the horizontal lines continue across the face, you have the rare version. If the face is clear of lines (like 99.9% of them), it is the standard version worth £1.50 - £2.00.
Top 5 Rarest Olympic 50ps (By Mintage)
Aside from the Football coin, there are several others that are harder to find than the rest. Here is the top 5 leaderboard:
2. Wrestling
1,129,500 Minted
Close behind Football in terms of rarity. A difficult coin to find in circulation.
Valued: £8 - £12
3. Judo
1,161,500 Minted
Another combat sport that saw low production numbers.
Valued: £8 - £11
4. Triathlon
1,163,500 Minted
Features running, swimming and cycling in a dynamic design.
Valued: £8 - £11
5. Tennis
1,454,000 Minted
Significantly lower mintage than many others in the series.
Valued: £3 - £5
Complete Olympic 50p List & Value Guide
Here is the full list of all 29 sports coins in alphabetical order, with their mintage figures and estimated circulated values.
| Coin Design | Mintage | Est. Value |
|---|---|---|
| Aquatics (Standard) | 2,179,000 | £1.50 - £2.00 |
| Archery | 3,342,500 | £1.50 - £2.00 |
| Athletics | 2,224,000 | £1.50 - £2.00 |
| Badminton | 2,133,500 | £1.50 - £2.50 |
| Basketball | 1,748,000 | £2.00 - £3.00 |
| Boccia | 2,166,000 | £1.50 - £2.00 |
| Boxing | 2,148,500 | £1.50 - £2.00 |
| Canoeing | 2,166,500 | £1.50 - £2.00 |
| Cycling | 2,090,500 | £1.50 - £2.00 |
| Equestrian | 2,142,500 | £1.50 - £2.00 |
| Fencing | 2,115,500 | £1.50 - £2.00 |
| Football (Offside) | 1,125,500 | £10.00 - £15.00 |
| Goalball | 1,615,500 | £2.50 - £3.50 |
| Gymnastics | 1,720,813 | £2.50 - £3.50 |
| Handball | 1,676,500 | £2.50 - £3.50 |
| Hockey | 1,773,500 | £2.00 - £3.00 |
| Judo | 1,161,500 | £8.00 - £11.00 |
| Modern Pentathlon | 1,689,500 | £2.00 - £3.00 |
| Rowing | 1,717,300 | £2.00 - £3.00 |
| Sailing | 1,749,500 | £2.00 - £3.00 |
| Shooting | 1,656,500 | £2.50 - £3.50 |
| Table Tennis | 1,737,500 | £2.00 - £3.00 |
| Taekwondo | 1,664,000 | £2.00 - £3.00 |
| Tennis | 1,454,000 | £3.00 - £5.00 |
| Triathlon | 1,163,500 | £8.00 - £11.00 |
| Volleyball | 2,133,500 | £1.50 - £2.50 |
| Weightlifting | 1,879,500 | £1.50 - £2.50 |
| Wheelchair Rugby | 1,765,500 | £2.00 - £3.00 |
| Wrestling | 1,129,500 | £8.00 - £12.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2009 Athletics coin rare?
Sometimes you might find an Athletics 50p dated 2009 instead of 2011. This is the Blue Peter winner's edition. It is circulated but much harder to find, although interestingly 100,000 were released into circulation (fewer than the Kew Gardens!). It sells for around £100+ in official packaging, but circulated versions are worth around £5-£10.
What is the "Completer Medallion"?
This was the 30th "coin" (technically a medallion as it has no face value) that came with the official Royal Mint collector album. It is not legal tender and was never released into circulation, but many collectors need it to finish their set.
Where is the best place to sell my Olympic 50p coins?
For common designs, selling them as a bulk lot on eBay is often best. For the rare ones like Football, Judo, Wrestling and Triathlon, selling individually on eBay or Facebook Coin Groups will get you the best price. Dealers will typically offer 50% of market value.