Kew Gardens 50p Value Guide
How much is a Kew Gardens 50p worth? See why the 2009 coin is so sought after, how condition affects value and how to sell yours. Free valuation.
The short answer: a genuine 2009 Kew Gardens 50p is one of the rarer 50p coins you can find in your change, and the one collectors hunt for most. Circulated examples have typically sold for somewhere in the region of £100 to £200, with well-worn coins at the lower end and near-uncirculated coins at the top. Prices move, so treat that as a guide and ask us for a free valuation of your own coin.
Why is the Kew Gardens 50p so rare?
The Royal Mint struck just 210,000 circulation Kew Gardens 50p coins in 2009, to mark 250 years since the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was founded in 1759. That is a tiny number. More than 1.5 billion 50p coins have been made since the current size was introduced in 1997, so the Kew coin makes up only around 0.013% of them.
The planned run was cut back when demand for new coinage fell, and the result is a design collectors have been hunting ever since.
What does the coin look like?
- Reverse: the Chinese Pagoda in Kew Gardens wrapped in a leafy vine, designed by Christopher Le Brun RA, with “KEW” at the foot.
- Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II in the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait, dated 2009.
- Shape and size: the standard seven-sided 50p, 27.3mm across and weighing 8.00g.
- Metal: cupro-nickel. The value comes from rarity, not from the metal.
How much is a Kew Gardens 50p worth?
Value depends on which version you have and, above all, its condition. The coin was also released in collector formats, which were made in much smaller numbers than the circulation coin.
| Version | Number made | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 circulation coin | 210,000 | The one people hunt for in change. Typically around £100 to £200 depending on wear. |
| 2009 Brilliant Uncirculated | 128,364 | Sold by the Royal Mint in a presentation pack. Value depends on the coin and its packaging. |
| 2009 Silver Proof | 7,575 | Precious metal and a very low mintage. Ask us for a valuation. |
| 2009 Silver Piedfort | 2,967 | A thicker, heavier collector version. |
| 2009 Gold Proof | 629 | A rare gold collector coin. Ask us for a valuation. |
Figures are indicative guides based on published mintages and recent market reports, not an offer. Asking prices on listing sites are often far higher than what coins actually sell for, so judge value by completed sales.
How to check if yours is genuine
Fakes exist because the coin is worth so much more than 50p. Before you get excited, check these:
- The date. It must say 2009. A Kew Gardens 50p dated 2019 is a different coin (see below).
- The weight. A genuine coin weighs 8.00g and measures 27.3mm. Kitchen scales that read to 0.1g will do.
- The initials. Look for “IRB” for Ian Rank-Broadley below the Queen’s neck. Oversized initials can be a warning sign.
- The surface. A genuine coin has a flat rim and low relief. Be wary of a frosted finish on the pagoda or date, a high-relief design, or an unusually pointed pagoda roof.
- The word “COPY”. Replicas are often marked. If you see it, it is a copy.
No single test is proof on its own. The most reliable check is to have a dealer look at clear photos of both sides, which is free with us.
What about the 2019 Kew Gardens 50p?
In 2019 the Royal Mint reissued the design as part of its Celebrating 50 Years of the 50p collection. It carries the 2019 date and Jody Clark’s portrait of the Queen, and it was sold in collector packaging rather than released into circulation. It is a nice coin, but it is not the rare 2009 piece that people search for in their change.
Does condition matter?
Yes, a great deal. A coin that looks almost new will be worth noticeably more than one that is worn smooth, and one with scratches, dents or heavy marks sits lower still. Please do not clean your coin. Cleaning leaves tiny scratches and can wipe out the value you are trying to protect. Keep it in a coin flip or a small plastic bag, away from other coins.
Selling your Kew Gardens 50p
We buy 2009 Kew Gardens 50p coins, in every version, and we will tell you plainly how we reached our figure.
- Take a clear photo of each side of the coin.
- Send them with our free valuation form, or call us free on 0800 978 8542.
- We reply within 24 hours with a valuation and no obligation to sell.
- If you accept, you post the coin to us by insured Royal Mail and we pay by same-day bank transfer once we have it.
Have more than one coin? See our page on selling your coins for everything we buy.
Kew Gardens 50p: frequently asked questions
How many Kew Gardens 50p coins were made?
210,000 circulation coins were made in 2009. Collector versions were made in smaller numbers: 128,364 Brilliant Uncirculated, 7,575 silver proof, 2,967 silver piedfort and 629 gold proof.
How much is a Kew Gardens 50p worth?
A genuine circulated 2009 coin has typically sold for around £100 to £200 depending on condition. Collector versions vary, so send us photos for a free valuation.
Is the Kew Gardens 50p really rare?
Yes. It is one of the rarer 50p coins released into circulation, and the most sought after, with only around 0.013% of the 50p coins made since 1997 being Kew Gardens coins.
How can I tell if my Kew Gardens 50p is real?
Check that it is dated 2009, weighs 8.00g, measures 27.3mm, shows the IRB initials, has a flat rim and low relief, and is not marked COPY. For certainty, send us photos of both sides.
Is there a 2019 Kew Gardens 50p?
Yes, but it is a collector reissue from the Celebrating 50 Years of the 50p collection, not the rare 2009 circulation coin.
Should I clean my Kew Gardens 50p?
No. Cleaning scratches the surface and can reduce its value. Leave it as it is.
Do you buy Kew Gardens 50p coins?
Yes. We buy all versions of the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p. Request a free valuation online or call 0800 978 8542.
Looking to buy a Kew Gardens 50p?
Collector versions come into stock from time to time. Here is what we have now.