Rare 50c coin found in spare change leaves Aussies stunned
An Australian has shared a rare 50 cent coin they found in their change that was believed to be worth at least $15.
The Reddit user took to the social media platform on Sunday to share photos of the round coin with the Commonwealth coat of arms engraved on one side.
The other coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II that was used on the first Australian coins.
“Found this in my change,” the user captioned the post.
An Australian has shared photos of a rare round 50 cent coin (pictured) they found in their change
“I never knew round 50 cent coins existed.” said the user.
Hundreds of impressed users flooded the post, congratulating the owner on the rare find.
Many urged him to keep it.
'Nice! Keep it, it's 0.3416 oz of silver and worth about $15 for the metal alone,” one user commented.
Another added: 'Well worth more than 50 cents. I haven't seen one since I was a kid.
“I remember spending these… wish I had some now!”
A third wrote: 'Mad luck – like serious luck. I wish that happened to me. I had to buy some for my collection.”
A fourth commented: 'These are extremely valuable. Please keep it.”
The original 50 cent coin was round when Australia switched to decimal currency on February 14, 1966.
Hundreds of Reddit users flooded the post with comments, with many saying the ancient coin (pictured) is now valuable
But the shape of the 50 cent coin was changed within three years as Australians became confused between the size of the 50 cent and 20 cent coins.
The 50c coin is now shaped like a dodecagon and has 12 sides.
The original coin was made with 80 percent silver, while the remaining 20 percent was made with copper.
The current coin is now made with 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel.
Australian coin expert Joel Kandiah uploaded a video to TikTok last year about the 50 cent round coin, adding that it was worth much more at the time it was made.
'The coin contained 52 cents of silver.' Mr. Kandiah explains.
“The coin was hoarded, taken out of the country and melted down to make a huge profit.”
The 50c coin (shown) has been in the shape of a dodecagon since 1969