The coins with the image of Queen Elizabeth II came through seventy years of change. Every portrait, metal type, and denomination marks a stage of British history. A queen Elizabeth rare coin may not always be expensive, but it can still be unusual or historically important. Actually, the rarity of any coin is determined in how many were made, how many survived, and what design they carry.
For collectors, this long issue offers numismatists a way to research and compare pieces. Some coins appeared for a single year and vanished. Others circulated for decades. Below are the issues that are worth the attention of collectors.
Coins of a Long Reign: A Short Overview
The first coins showing Queen Elizabeth II were issued in 1953, i.e., a year after her coronation. Over time, the coins’ details changed: size, design, and metal. The Queen’s portrait was updated several times — five official versions appeared during her reign.
Main stages in the coinage:
- 1953–1967: early pre-decimal issues with the first youthful portrait
- 1971: decimalisation; new denominations and designs
- 1985–1997: smaller 50p coins and updated portrait
- 1998–2015: new metals, bimetallic £2 coins, and commemorative issues
- 2016–2022: final portrait, special sets, and limited issues before the transition to King Charles III
Each period introduced small variations that now separate ordinary coins from collectible ones. Changes in alloy, edge lettering, or reverse design often went along with short mint runs. That is why many of these pieces are now considered modern rarities.
Top 10 Rare Queen Elizabeth II Coins
These ten issues stand out for their low mintages, design variations, or short circulation periods. Each was produced under different conditions and reflects a specific stage of British coinage during the Queen’s reign. Some are modern commemoratives, others are regular coins that became rare due to limited release.
| № | Year | Denomination | Description | Mintage | Note |
| 1 | 2019 | 10p “Y” (A–Z Series) | Yeoman Warder | 63,000 | Very low circulation |
| 2 | 2019 | 10p “W” (A–Z Series) | World Wide Web | 63,000 | Popular thematic issue |
| 3 | 2009 | 50p | Kew Gardens | 210,000 | Most famous modern rarity |
| 4 | 1992–93 | 50p | EU Presidency | 109,000 | Early decimal commemorative |
| 5 | 2015 | £2 | Britannia | 650,000 | First Britannia on £2 coin |
| 6 | 2015 | £2 | Royal Navy | 650,000 | WWI centenary series |
| 7 | 2002 | £2 | Commonwealth Games (England) | 650,500 | Scarce among the four flags |
| 8 | 2018 | 10p (A–Z Series) | Various designs | 220,000 | Full set collectible |
| 9 | 1985 | 50p | Britannia reverse | 682,103 | First small-size issue |
| 10 | 1973 | 50p | EEC entry | 89,755,000 | Historical interest in high grade |
The Coins in Detail
2009 Kew Gardens 50p
The reverse shows the famous Kew Gardens pagoda with a climbing vine. Only 210,000 were released into circulation, which makes it the best-known rarity of modern British coinage. Many were kept by collectors soon after discovery, which explains their scarcity in change.
Features:
- Composition: Cupro-nickel
- Edge: Plain
- Value range: £100–150 circulated, up to £200+ uncirculated
- Notes: Widely counterfeited; compare vine details with official images
2019 10p “Y” – Yeoman Warder
Part of the “A–Z of Great Britain” collection. Depicts the Tower of London’s ceremonial guard, the Yeoman Warder, holding a halberd. This design had one of the lowest circulations of the entire series.
Features:
- Composition: Nickel-plated steel
- Edge: Milled
- Mintage: 63,000
- Value range: £15–30 circulated, £40+ uncirculated
- Notes: Scarce in high grade; wears easily on the figure’s details
2019 10p “W” – World Wide Web
Another design from the same A–Z set. Shows an abstract web pattern with the letter “W”, the symbol of the World Wide Web. Minted in the same quantity as “Y”. The low release number made it a short-lived circulation piece.
Features:
- Composition: Nickel-plated steel
- Edge: Milled
- Mintage: 63,000
- Value range: £10–25 depending on wear
1992–93 50p European Community Presidency
The coin commemorates the UK’s Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the completion of the single market. The design shows a circle of twelve stars, a symbol of the UK’s role in the European Community.
Features:
- Composition: Cupro-nickel
- Edge: Plain
- Mintage: 109,000
- Value range: £60–120 depending on condition
- Notes: Withdrawn after the smaller 50p size was introduced in 1997
2015 £2 Britannia
This coin marks the return of Britannia to circulating coinage after a long break. The figure of Britannia stands with trident and shield, a design long associated with British strength.
Features:
- Composition: Inner nickel-brass, outer nickel-brass ring
- Edge: Lettered “QUATUOR MARIA VINDICO”
- Mintage: 650,000
- Value range: £10–20 circulated, £35–40 mint state
- Notes: First appearance of Britannia on £2 coins; sought by thematic collectors
2015 £2 Royal Navy
Issued as part of the World War I commemorative £2 series. The reverse depicts a Royal Navy battleship in open waters.
Features:
- Composition: Bimetallic (nickel-brass and cupronickel)
- Edge: inscription “THE SURE SHIELD OF BRITAIN”
- Mintage: 650,000 pieces
- Value range: £8–15 circulated, £30+ uncirculated
- Notes: Minor die varieties exist; a few double-die reverses reported.
2002 £2 Commonwealth Games (England)
Produced for the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. Four versions represented England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The English issue had the smallest mintage.
Features:
- Composition: Bimetallic
- Edge: Lettered “SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP, MANCHESTER 2002”
- Mintage: 650,500
- Value range: £10–20 circulated, £40 uncirculated
- Notes: Identified by the small St George’s Cross flag in the background
2018 10p A–Z Series
This series of twenty-six coins celebrated everyday symbols of British life: from the Angel of the North to the Zebra Crossing. Each design had 220,000 coins in circulation.
Features:
- Composition: Nickel-plated steel
- Edge: Milled
- Mintage: 220,000 per design
- Value range: £3–6 per coin, £80–120 for complete set
- Notes: Sold in official Mint folders; proof sets exist in silver versions
1985 50p Britannia
The 1985 50p coin was the first one from the new, smaller 50p pieces. These ones replaced the older, larger versions. The coin reverse depicts the famous image of Britannia, that is sitting beside a lion, holding a trident and a shield with the Union Flag. This design was used for centuries, and in 1985 was applied for new smaller coins.
Features:
- Composition: Cupro-nickel
- Edge: Plain
- Mintage: 682,103
- Value range: £15–25 circulated, £35+ uncirculated
- Notes: First of the reduced-size 50p coins; valued for clean design and low numbers
1973 50p EEC Entry
Issued to mark the United Kingdom’s entry into the European Economic Community. The design shows nine hands symbolizing the member states joining together.
Features:
- Composition: Cupro-nickel
- Edge: Plain
- Mintage: 89,755,000
- Value range: £5–10 circulated, £25+ proof examples
- Notes: Common originally but now hard to find without wear
Collecting and Value Insights
Queen Elizabeth II’s coins are divided into several clear groups. Some were made for circulation, others only for collectors. Circulation issues can still be found in pocket change, though unmarked examples grow rarer each year.
Main value factors:
- Mintage: The smaller the issue, the higher the demand.
- Condition: Scratches or worn portraits reduce price sharply.
- Design: Popular subjects like Britannia or historic events attract long-term interest.
- Completeness: Full A–Z or WWI £2 series collections reach higher value.
Coins withdrawn after redesigns — such as the pre-1997 50p — tend to gain attention over time. For recent coins, proof editions and special sets sold by the Royal Mint often show better price stability.
Storage and care:
- Handle coins only by edges.
- Keep them in acid-free holders or capsules.
- Avoid polishing or chemical cleaning.
- Store away from humidity and direct sunlight.
Accurate identification remains the most important thing. Small details like edge lettering or portrait version can change market value. Tools such as Coin ID Scanner make it easier to verify type, year, and variety. The app compares photos with an extensive database (more than 187,000 pieces) and helps confirm whether a coin matches known issues or has unique features.
As demand increased after 2022, collectors began completing Elizabeth II sets before coins bearing King Charles III’s portrait became dominant. The final coins of her reign already attract additional attention (particularly proofs and special editions).
From an investment point of view, these coins offer slow but steady growth. They are easy to trade within collector circles and maintain liquidity thanks to wide recognition.
The Value of a Long Coinage
Coins issued during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II form one of the most complete modern series in British numismatics. They show every stage of change in design, metal, and production methods from 1953 to 2022.
For collectors, these coins remain practical to study and collect: affordable, well-documented, and easy to identify by portrait or year. Many coins from low- mintage issues already have a high market value, and interest in them continues to grow after a change of monarch. Collecting by type, year, or theme is an easy way to build a collection.
