Top 12 list of most valuable and rare 10p coins: how much are they worth?

Valuable and rare coins have piqued the curiosity of many people in the last few years. With several news pieces published about change selling for hundreds - or even thousands - of pounds, no wonder! Learn all about the most valuable and rare 10p coins you can find in our thorough blog post.

Why are some 10p coins determined to be rare?

Most likely, you already know at least a few, if not all the traits, that make a coin rare. The price and rarity of a coin is generally based on the condition of the coin, historic significance, interesting designs and how many were minted (issued).

Uniqueness is one of the key factors to making a coin desirable, which is why collectors seek out less common coins and one-of-a-kind coins with errors. Coins with errors will often be the ones to fetch the highest sums.

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How much are rare 10p coins worth?

The value of rare coins will vary depending on its rarity, condition, and demand. Some 10p coins can sell for as much as 20–30 pounds. When browsing online marketplaces like eBay, notice that uncirculated coins will always sell for more than circulated coins. However, circulated coins in good condition can also sell for quite a few pounds.

Top 12 most valuable and rare 10p coins

All of the rare 10p coins are from the A-Z coin collection, issued in 2018 and re-released in 2019.¹ The Royal Mint issued 26 coins with unique designs, one for each letter of the alphabet.

1. Q for queueing

The design of this 10p shows a line of people queueing through the letter ‘Q’. Politely queuing is such a symbol of the British way of life, that it even made it onto a coin. Last year research showed that the average Brit spends over 7 days in a year waiting in queues.²

220,000 coins with the ‘Q’ design were issued in 2018 and 83,000 were issued in 2019.

We checked in February 2024 and saw the ‘Q’ 10p sell for 3–6 pounds on average on eBay.

2. R for robin

This 10p coin shows a robin sitting inside the letter ‘R’ and surrounded by snowflakes. The Robin was declared Britain’s National Bird in 1960 and 2015. As a symbol of good luck, happiness and rebirth, the robin is Britain's best loved bird.

220,000 ‘R’ 10p coins were issued for circulation in 2018 and another 64,000 were issued in 2019.

We checked in February 2024 and saw the ‘R’ 10p sell for up to 9 pounds on eBay.

3. Z for zebra crossing

This 10p features the letter ‘Z’ on a zebra crossing. The origin of zebra crossings are mostly attributed to former British Prime Minister James Callaghan. Since then zebra crossings have become iconic, particularly in pop culture because of the famous Beatles Abbey Road album cover.

220,000 ‘Z’ 10p coins were released into circulation in 2018 and another 63,000 in 2019.

During our research in February 2024 we saw the ‘Z’ 10p coin sell for 3.5 pounds on eBay.

4. W for World Wide Web

The ‘W’ 10p design depicts the letter ‘W’ inside a spider’s web, which represents the World Wide Web, usually just called ‘the web’. Invented by English scientist Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, it has been instrumental in the development of the information age.

220,000 of ‘W’ 10p coins were issued for circulation in 2018 and 63,000 in 2019.

The ‘W’ 10p coin sold for an average of 3 pounds when we checked on eBay in February 2024.

5. Y for Yeoman Warder

Featuring a Yeoman Warder and a key hanging off of the letter ‘Y’, this 10p coin celebrates the guardians of the Tower of London. Yeoman Warders were responsible for looking after any prisoners and for safeguarding the British Crown Jewels. Today, their role has become more ceremonial as greeters and guides for visitors.

220,000 of ‘Y’ 10p coins were issued for circulation in 2018 and 63,000 in 2019.

The circulated ‘Y’ 10p coin had recently sold for an average of 4–5 pounds on eBay when we checked in February 2024.

6. T for tea

Not surprisingly, this 10p design features a boiled traditional tea pot next to the letter ‘T’. Tea became the national drink of England in the late 1700s, when the tax on tea was lowered from a 100% tariff to a flat 12.5% of the value of the imported tea.

Why the change? Because a particularly bad harvest had driven up grain prices and consequently, the price of ale. With no access to clean drinking water, ale was the staple drink for the poor made safer by fermentation. Fortunately, tea made a great substitute.

220,000 ‘T’ 10p coins were issued for circulation in 2018 and another 84,000 were issued in 2019.

When we checked eBay in February 2024, we saw the ‘T’ 10p coin recently selling for up to 7 pounds.

7. J for jubilee

Depicting a jubilee carriage above the letter ‘J’, the design of this 10p celebrates jubilees.

Jubilees signify a major milestone in the reign of a Monarch and celebrate their life and service. The naming tradition for jubilee is the same as wedding anniversaries: 25 years is called a Silver Jubilee, 50 years a Golden Jubilee, 60 years a Diamond Jubilee, and 70 years a Platinum Jubilee.

220,000 ‘J’ coins were issued in 2018 and 84,000 were issued in 2019.

Checking on eBay in February 2024, we saw the circulated ‘J’ 10p coin recently selling for 4–5 pounds on average.

8. D for double-decker bus

The iconic double-decker bus is featured behind the letter ‘D’ on this 10p coin. Did you know that the earliest double-decker horse-drawn omnibus was used in Paris in 1853? Motorised versions were made in the 1900s, and double-decker buses became popular in Great Britain at the start of the 20th century.

220,000 coins with the ‘D’ design were issued in 2018 and another 84,000 were issued in 2019.

The circulated ‘D’ 10p coin had recently sold for an average of 2 pounds when we checked on eBay in February 2024.

9. G for Greenwich Mean Time

This 10p features a globe design with the letter ‘G’ which represents Greenwich Mean Time. Greenwich Mean Time is the yearly average –or 'mean' – of the time each day when the Sun crosses the Prime Meridian (the imaginary line that splits the Earth up into the Western Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere) at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

220,000 of these 10p coins were issued in 2018 and another 84,000 were issued in 2019.

We checked in February 2024 and saw the ‘G’ 10p sell for an average of 3.5 pounds on eBay lately.

10. B for Bond 007

The design of this 10p features the official 007 logo with the letter ‘B’ above it. James Bond needs no introduction, but do you know who the fictional character was named after?

Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond book series, was searching for a name as mundane as possible. He happened to come across a birdwatching book, where he read the name of Dr James Bond – an ornithologist.

220,000 ‘B’ 10p coins were issued in 2018 and 84,000 were issued in 2019.

The circulated ‘B’ 10p coin had recently sold for up to 9 pounds when we checked on eBay in February 2024.

11. A for Angel of the North

Featuring the contemporary sculpture The Angel of the North and the letter ‘A’, this 10p honours the work of sculptor Antony Gormley. Located in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England, The Angel of the North was completed in 1998 and is believed to be the largest sculpture of an angel in the world.

220,000 ‘A’ 10p coins were issued in 2018 and 84,000 were issued in 2019.

When we checked on eBay, we saw this 10p coin fetching up to 20 pounds lately.

12. K for King Arthur

The legendary ruler of Britain, King Arthur, is featured on this 10p coin. He’s depicted sitting at the Round Table along with his knights, circling the letter ‘K’.

While it's still not certain if King Arthur was based on a real person or not, myths of him and the Knights of the Round Table have captured hearts and imaginations not just in Britain, but all across the world.

220,000 ‘K’ 10p were issued in 2018 and 84,000 were issued in 2019.

This 10p coin had recently sold for up to 6 pounds when we checked on eBay in February 2024.

How to sell rare 10p coins?

When you have your hands on a rare 10p coin – or even a full A-Z set, make sure that you’re getting a fair price when selling them. You can always consult a professional coin appraiser, but you can also estimate the value of your coins by yourself. Compare your coins to others that have recently sold on eBay or elsewhere, to get a sense of how much they’re worth.

Where to buy or sell rare 10p coins in the UK?

Selling coins is pretty straightforward these days with online platforms like eBay. You’ll also find many auctioneers when you do a quick google search. If you’re planning to sell directly to a collector or dealer, make sure to do some research to avoid possible scammers.

And, if you want to buy coins or other collectibles from abroad in other currencies than the British pound, consider using the money services provider Wise. The Wise account lets you make international payments for low fees and mid-market exchange rates and you can get a Wise card to spend like a local in 150+ countries worldwide. It’s not a bank account but offers similar features.

Learn more about the Wise account 💰

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Remember to keep an eye out for those rare 10p coins. And, if you ever spot any strange coins, we’re sure you won’t leave them lying around… after seeing how much collectors are willing to pay for them!

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Sources used for this article:

1. Change Checker - Info about the A-Z of Great Britain 10p Coins
2. Verge Magazine - What a wait of time – Brits may be known for queuing, but they hate doing it

Sources last checked on date: 19-Feb-2024