Blog Home

Below are the ten rarest £1 coins that have entered circulation.

Ever wondered if the humble £1 coin rattling around in your pocket is worth more than its face value? While the old round pound was officially replaced by the 12-sided £1 coin in 2017, millions of the original design are still out there—and some are a rare find indeed.

In fact, some of the rarest £1 coins have been known to fetch over ten times their face value. So, if you’re sitting on a stash of old pound coins, now might be the time to check if you have one of these hidden gems.

---

1. 2011 Edinburgh £1

Mintage: 935,000

Topping the list as the rarest £1 coin in circulation, the 2011 Edinburgh £1 was part of a series celebrating the UK’s capital cities. It remains the only £1 coin with a mintage below one million, making it a sought-after piece among collectors.

If you’re lucky enough to find one, it has been known to sell for over ten times its face value!

---

2. 2011 Cardiff (Wales) £1

Mintage: 1,615,000

Also part of the capital cities series, the Cardiff £1 coin is slightly less rare than the Edinburgh version, with 1.6 million in circulation. Designed by Stuart Devlin, the coin features the Coat of Arms of Cardiff, representing Wales.

While not as valuable as the Edinburgh coin, it has fetched over £11 online.

---

3. 2010 London City £1

Mintage: 2,635,000

Representing England’s capital, the London City £1 features the badge of London among the four capital city emblems. With around 2.6 million in circulation, it’s not as scarce as the top two coins, but collectors still seek it out.

---

4. 2014 Thistle & Bluebell £1

Mintage: 5,185,000

Designed to represent Scotland, this coin showcases a thistle and bluebell—two of the nation’s most iconic floral emblems. There are over 5.1 million of these in circulation, which keeps its value modest.

---

5. 2013 Daffodil & Leek £1

Mintage: 5,270,000

Released as part of the floral series in 2013, the Daffodil & Leek £1 pays tribute to Wales. Both symbols are deeply connected to Welsh history and identity.

---

6. 2013 Rose & Oak £1

Mintage: 5,270,000

The Rose & Oak £1 was England’s contribution to the 2013 floral series. Featuring the traditional symbols of English heritage, this coin remains one of the rarest in circulation.

---

7. 2014 Flax & Shamrock £1

Mintage: 5,780,000

Designed to represent Northern Ireland, the Flax & Shamrock £1 continues the tradition of pairing national floral symbols. While over 5.7 million were minted, its resale value remains low.

---

8. 2010 Belfast £1

Mintage: 6,205,000

Another entry in the capital cities series, the Belfast £1 has over 6.2 million coins still in circulation. It’s the eighth rarest in the UK but not highly valuable in the collectors’ market.

---

9. 1988 Crowned Shield £1

Mintage: 7,118,825

Depicting the Royal Arms topped with the Crown of St. Edward, the 1988 Crowned Shield £1 is one of the oldest and rarest £1 coins still in circulation.

With a mintage of 7.1 million, it’s not the scarcest coin, but collectors are still on the hunt for one.

---

10. 2023 King Charles III Bee £1

Mintage: 10,030,000

The first £1 coin featuring King Charles III was issued in 2023, showcasing a unique honeybee design. While still relatively new, its low mintage numbers suggest it could become a rarity in the future.

Though its current resale value isn’t well established, collectors are already keeping a close eye on it, expecting prices to rise as fewer remain in circulation.

Available as part of the 2023 Official BU Presentation Pack in official collector packaging – including a special first year of issue privy mark.

---

Have you found a rare £1 coin? Let us know in the comments!

While not every rare £1 coin will make you rich, some of these designs can fetch significantly more than their original value—especially the Edinburgh £1 and Cardiff £1.

So next time you check your change, keep an eye out for these hidden treasures. You never know, you might just have a mini windfall sitting in your coin jar!