03 June 2026
|
The rare Blue Peter 50p coin is an interesting one! Have a look at the competition that it came from and the value of it now in our full guide!
In 2009 Blue Peter held a nationwide contest where viewers were invited to design an official 50p coin for the London 2012 Olympic Games, they partnered with The Royal Mint in the competition.
It was one of the most famous contests in the show’s history because the winning design became a real piece of British currency.
The Winning Design
Nine-year-old Florence Jackson from Bristol won the competition. The design depicts someone bending themselves to go over the high jump bar, it was said to celebrate the Olympic and Paralympic discipline of Athletics.
Florence’s design was chosen from over 17,000 entries and she remains the youngest brit to have her design used on official UK coinage.
Florence got to visit The Royal Mint to strike her first coin and was joined by the Blue Peter presenter at the time Andy Akinwolere.
This is Florence in the Blue Peter episode that aired on October 13th 2009 with the first ever version of the coin she designed.
At the time editor of Blue Peter, Tim Levell, said to the BBC “Blue Peter prides itself on epic competitions, but Florence's achievement is perhaps the most significant in Blue Peter's history. Her design will not only go into circulation next year, but – as the first coin designed by a child – will end up in museums for thousands of years to come. The fun and vitality of her drawing won over all the judges and is a clear and well-deserved winner.”
The obverse of the coin features the fourth definitive coinage portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley.
Suggested article: Your Guide to Olympic 50p Coins
Suggested article: How much is my 50p worth?
What’s the Value of the Rare Blue Peter 50p Coin
The Blue Peter 50p coin was minted by The Royal Mint in limited numbers (roughly 20,000 to 100,000), they were also never formally put into general circulation, these things together make them highly collectable today. Which was seen recently on an eBay auction.
At the end of April 2026, a 2009 Rare Blue Peter 50p coin sold on eBay for £186, it sold after a bidding war of 31bids. And that’s not the only example! There are many examples on eBay that have sold on auction from anywhere between £150 and £200!
Previous examples have even sold close to £300.
Even though the 50p coins were not officially put into general circulation, collectors believe many have entered everyday use, often going unnoticed in loose change over the years.
Coin experts are advising members of the public to check old 50p pieces in their change carefully, as these rare coins can easily be overlooked despite their potentially significant value.
When looking through your change focus on the date found on the coin, if dated 2011 it would be of lesser value due to the high mintage in that year. However, if it was struck in 2009, then you could be in for a pretty penny! (pardon the pun!)
From a child’s drawing to a highly sought-after collectable, the Blue Peter 50p proves that big stories can come in small packages. And who knows? The next one could be in your pocket right now.
To be the first to see our 50p coin guides by subscribing to our newsletter today!