Could these new Harry Potter 50p coins conjure you a small fortune?
Experts hail rare collection featuring King and late Queen
THE much-loved books have already spawned a trove of collector’s items — from replica Harry Potter wands to Hogwarts school trunks. Now experts are predicting an unlikely boom in collectors snapping up four Harry Potter-themed 50p coins.
The set is incredibly rare as it features the portrait of two different monarchs.
The first two coins have Harry Potter’s face or the Hogwarts Express train on one side, and the late Queen on the other. This is because the coins were minted last year (having been designed before the Queen died). They have the year ‘2022’ etched on them.
The further two coins in the set — one of which features headmaster Professor Dumbledore and the other Hogwarts school — are being minted with the King’s portrait on the other side and dated ‘2023’.
The Dumbledore coin was only made available last month. The coin featuring Hogwarts will be launched later this year.
Coin experts say the series is tipped to become hugely popular among collectors and investors. The coins are legal tender but will not be put into general circulation. Instead, they are available to buy on the Royal Mint website for £11 each.
RoyALMint would not say how many of each coin in the series are being minted. Alex Siddons, of coin website Change Checker, says: ‘When coins have unique collecting stories behind them — dual dates, dual portraits, or low edition limits — they become instant must-haves. Not only do they become more interesting to collectors, but they have an increased perceived value.
‘This unique set has been in high demand for collectors and Harry Potter fans alike, and with the final coin being issued later this year, it’ll be one for the history books.’
The Harry Potter 50p series marks the 25-year anniversary of the first novel, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone.
Some ‘ brilliant uncirculated’ versions of the coins are already listed for £17 on eBay — 55 pc more than their original £11 value.
The Hogwarts Express 50 pence piece, minted in 2022, is the last individual 50p coin to feature Queen Elizabeth II. This makes the coin ‘particularly sought-after’ among collectors, says Alex.
The first Harry Potter coin that was minted last year — featuring the titular character — also saw ‘ incredible’ demand from collectors, according to the Change Checker website.
Another series that includes both the late Queen and the King is the Royal Mint’s
Myths and Legends Collection. These feature the likes of King Arthur, whose coin can be bought in denominations of £100, £25, £5 and £2.
A version of the £2 coin was minted with the Queen on, but newly minted £2 coins will feature a portrait of the King instead. The £2 coins featuring the Queen include a 1oz silver coin, which was on sale for £99.50 with a run of 2,500, but is sold out. The other £2 coin is a silver bullion priced at £ 27.74, which is still available. The King Charles limited run £2 coin also only has 2,500 available — priced at £99.50. The most expensive King Arthur coin featuring King Charles costs £2,725. It’s a £100 1oz gold coin, with a limited run of 200. Christopher Collects, a coin expert at the Britannia Coin Company, says: ‘The collection will show a physical charting of the passing of the crown. When it comes to coins, this is fascinating.
‘A period of time unseen by many alive today, until now, has been immortalised in this coin range.’
‘Arthur is a myth but Charles could have chosen Arthur as his reginal name, being one of his middle names. It pairs one of our revered kings of legend with a new King.’
Dominic Chorney, coin specialist at A. H. Baldwin & Sons, says: ‘I am not familiar with any commemorative coin sets featuring coins issued in the name of two different monarchs, so this in itself is interesting.
‘Desirability will also be affected by the number of sets produced.’ The first circulating coins to feature King Charles were released at the start of December.
In total, 9.6 million of these 50p coins featuring the new King have been minted.
They show a copy of the design used on the crown that was struck to commemorate the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
It depicts the four quarters of the Royal Arms inside a shield, with emblems of the home nations.
The coin features a portrait of the King from his 70th birthday.
Per tradition, His Majesty faces left on new coinage — the opposite direction to his late mother.
Unlike the Queen, however, he is without a crown, as traditionally only female monarchs are shown with crowns on coins.