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Before carelessly tossing aside that loose change in your purse, check your coins. A recently minted 50p is now worth a hefty sum and you might just profit from it.

At first glance, it may seem like an ordinary coin - it's a silver, heptagon-shaped 50p minted only two years ago. Yet, the has crowned it 'the rarest 50p coin in circulation', with only 200,000 available.

"In 2023, the Atlantic salmon became the rarest 50p coin in circulation," specialists at the British coin maker have . "Part of eight new definitive designs representing flora and fauna from across all four UK nations following His Majesty III’s accession to the throne, it entered circulation at the end of November 2023."

The 2023 coins, issued six months after King Charles III's coronation, display a portrait of the monarch on one side, illustrated by Martin Jennings. This is accompanied by a unique, definitive salmon image on the reverse, inspired by His Majesty's passion for the environment.

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Populations of Atlantic salmon are severely impacted by climate change, overfishing, water pollution, and various other human-influenced factors. Nonetheless, they can still be seen in the clean rivers of and Wales, as well as some regions of North and South West England.

Right now, the values certain '2023 Atlantic Salmon' pieces from £150. Others are listed for as much as £260 on , though demand and pricing are forecasted to potentially increase.

According to specialists at , the most valuable among these are said to exclude a 'privy mark'. This refers to a tiny crown image located at the nape of His Majesty's neck.

In an online blog, they claimed: "The Salmon 50p coins in the Royal Mint sets include the special privy mark (the little crown) shown below, behind the King's head. This version of the coin is only found in the 2023 Definitive Annual Sets, and can still be bought from the Royal Mint for £34."

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They added: "The version you will find in your change WILL NOT have a privy mark[...] The coins without a privy mark and dated 2023 are the rarest coins in circulation, and they are the ones that have a mintage figure of only 200,000."

Besides this, it's also worth acknowledging that various other factors can affect the value of a coin. For instance, a coin in poor condition will likely fetch less than another that appears almost brand new.

Chris Yang, co-founder of , previously told the : "Coins in perfect 'mint' condition are worth far more than their well-worn, damaged, and poor-condition counterparts. Sometimes a minor difference in grade translates to hundreds, maybe thousands in value."

He went on: "In sum, scrutinise your coins, have them identified and graded professionally, and work with experienced numismatists to determine the real value of your coins so that you can sell them for the best price.

"Remember, the thrill of coin collecting isn't always about striking gold; it's about connecting with history and uncovering hidden treasures. Your old coin jar might hold more than just spare change – it could be a portal to a fascinating past."

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