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The beloved books have already spawned a wealth of collectibles – from replica Harry Potter wands to Hogwarts school trunks.
Now experts are predicting an unlikely increase in the number of collectors picking up four 50p Harry Potter coins.
The set is incredibly rare as it contains the portrait of two different monarchs.
Magic money: The Harry Potter 50p series marks the 25th anniversary of the first novel – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
The first two coins feature the face of Harry Potter or the Hogwarts Express train on one side and the late Queen on the other.
This is because the coins were minted last year (designed before the Queen died). They have the year ‘2022’ engraved on it.
The other two coins in the set – one of which features Headmaster Professor Dumbledore and the other Hogwarts School – are minted with the King’s portrait on the reverse and dated ‘2023’.
The Dumbledore coin was only made available last month. The Hogwarts coin 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’re on sale on the Royal Mint website for £11 each.
Royal Mint does not say how many of each coin in the series will be minted. Alex Siddons, from coin website Change Checker, says: ‘If coins have a unique collecting story – double dates, double portraits or low mintage limits – they immediately become a must-have.
Not only do they become more interesting to collectors, but they also have a higher perceived value.
“This unique set is in high demand by collectors and Harry Potter fans alike, and with the last coin being issued later this year, it will be one for the history books.”
The Harry Potter 50p series marks the 25th anniversary of the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Collection: The Harry Potter coins are legal tender, but will not be released for general circulation. Instead, they’re on sale on the Royal Mint website for £11 each
Some ‘brilliant uncirculated’ versions of the coins are already listed on eBay for £17 – 55pc more than their original £11 value.
The Hogwarts Express 50 pence piece, minted in 2022, is the last individual 50 pence coin to feature Queen Elizabeth II. That makes the coin ‘particularly popular’ among collectors, says Alex.
The first Harry Potter coin 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 King is the Royal Mint’s Myths and Legends Collection. These include the likes of King Arthur, whose coin can be purchased in denominations of £100, £25, £5 and £2.
The first Harry Potter coin minted last year – featuring the titular character – also saw ‘incredible’ demand from collectors
A version of the £2 coin was minted with the Queen on it, but newly minted £2 coins will feature a portrait of the King instead. The £2 coins featuring the Queen include a 1 oz silver coin, which retailed for £99.50 with a mintage of 2,500, but has sold out. The other £2 coin is a silver bullion priced at £27.74, which is still available.
The limited edition of the £2 King Charles coin also only has 2,500 available – priced at £99.50.
The most expensive King Arthur coin featuring King Charles costs £2,725. It is a £100 1oz gold coin, with a limited edition of 200.
Christopher Collects, a coin expert at the Britannia Coin Company, says: ‘The collection will show a physical representation of the passing of the crown. When it comes to coins, this is fascinating.
“A period unseen by many until now has been immortalized in this coin range.”
“Arthur is a myth, but Charles could have chosen Arthur as his royal name since it is one of his middle names. It pairs one of our revered legendary kings with a new king.”
Dominic Chorney, coin specialist at AH Baldwin & Sons, says: ‘I’m not familiar with commemorative coin sets with coins issued in the names of two different monarchs, so this is interesting in its own right.
“The desirability will also be influenced by the number of sets produced.” The first circulating coins featuring King Charles were released in early December.
A total of 9.6 million of these 50p coins were minted with the new king.
Everything changes: the first coins in circulation with King Charles were released in early December
They show a copy of the design used on the crown minted to commemorate the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
It shows the four quarters of the Royal Arms in a shield, with emblems of the home nations.
The coin features a portrait of the king from his 70th birthday.
According to tradition, His Majesty faces left on new coins – the opposite direction from his late mother.
However, unlike the Queen, he does not have a crown, as only female monarchs are traditionally depicted with crowns on coins.
l.purkess@dailymail.co.uk
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