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COIN HUNT

How much are your London 2012 Olympic 50p coins worth six years after the Games?

CAN you believe it's been six years since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

Back in 2012, the Royal Mint marked the occasion by releasing 29 different designs for 50p coins, each one representing a different Olympic sport - and now they could be worth a small fortune.

 The Olympic 50p coins are now worth more than face value to collectors
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The Olympic 50p coins are now worth more than face value to collectors

The number of coins released into circulation for each design differs, meaning that some are immediately rarer than others.

Only 1,125,500 football 50p coins were released, for example, compared to 3,345,500 of the archery design.

In general, the rarer the coin the more valuable it is, but the Royal Mint reckons that as many as 75 per cent of the coins have been removed from circulation by collectors.

Luckily, the experts at  have created a scarcity index that tracks which circulating 50p coins are the most scarce and valuable to collectors.

These are the top 10 Olympic 50p coins that could be worth 37 times their original value. It's time to check your change.

Football - £18.50

 The football coin is the rarest and most valuable Olympic 50p
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The football coin is the rarest and most valuable Olympic 50pCredit: EBay

This coin was probably the most talked about Olympic coin because its design was actually a diagram explaining the off-side rule.

Only 1,125,500 of these coins made it in to circulation.

A circulated one recently for £18.49. It might not sound like a lot but it's actually 37 times its original value.

Triathlon - £10

 The triathlon coin is worth up to £10 on eBay
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The triathlon coin is worth up to £10 on eBayCredit: EBay

Only 1,163,500 of these coins were released into circulation and according to the latest scarcity index it's very rare.

The design is made up of a swimmer, cyclist and a runner to represent the three activities that make up a triathlon.

One of these sold for £10 on after attracting 12 bids.

Seb Coe's verdict on Olympic Games

Wrestling - £13.50

 The wrestling coin rates higher on the scarcity index but isn't the most valuable
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The wrestling coin rates higher on the scarcity index but isn't the most valuableCredit: EBay

If you've got one of these in your pocket then it could be worth up .

Around 1.12million of them were released into circulation and it's the third most scarce Olympic coin.

The Wrestling 50p was designed by graphic designer Roderick Enriquez.

Judo - £13.70

 The judo coin could be worth up to 27 times its face value
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The judo coin could be worth up to 27 times its face valueCredit: Handout

Around the same number of these coins was circulated as the wrestling coins and their design shows one person throwing their opponent to the floor.

One recently for £13.70 online, which is more than 27 times its value.

If it's not in mint condition though, you'll need to point out the scratches in your listing to make sure you're clear with collectors as to what they're getting.

Tennis - £8.52

 The tennis coins is worth up to £8.52 online
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The tennis coins is worth up to £8.52 onlineCredit: EBay

It was the year that Andy Murray won gold after beating Roger Federer in the finals - only months after they faced each other at Wimbledon.

Just under 1.5million of these coins were minted and released into circulation and they're scarce.

One recently sold for £8.52 on which is 17 times its original value.

Handball - £7.50

 The handball coin is the sixth rarest Olympic 50p and is worth up to £7.50
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The handball coin is the sixth rarest Olympic 50p and is worth up to £7.50Credit: EBay

The back of the handball 50p was designed by artist Natasha Ratcliffe and features an athlete jumping in the air holding a ball with the court beneath him.

One after it received 10 bids on eBay.

Nicola Adams punches her way to victory

Some coins could be worth THOUSANDS of pounds more than their face value to collectors - but what do you do if it crops up in your spare change?

Here's how to find out how much it's worth, and more importantly, how to sell it.

These are the 50p coins that are actually worth a small fortune, even if they're not the rarest.


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