A SCHOOLBOY who collects rare 50 pence pieces owns one of the nation's most wanted coins.

Meilir Roberts, 12, from Gwernymynydd, holds a Kew Gardens 50p piece - the rarest coin currently in circulation in the UK.

The most sought after coins mark the 250th anniversary of the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew and can be worth up to 300 times their face value.

He said: "I recognised the coin straight away when my dad brought it home.

"I couldn't believe it. I was so surprised to have found one, it's brilliant. I'm so happy."

Other scarce 50p pieces include the 2003 Suffragettes and the 2011 WWF, which have an estimated mintage of just over three million each.

Meilir said he holds about 30 different 50p coins, including the highest three in demand.

"I've got the top three rarest coins now - it's amazing," he added.

"Everyone helps me out with my collection.

"I was going to start collecting £2 coins too, but that was too expensive."

To read the complete article, see:
What a find! Coin collector gets his hands on rare 50p piece (http://leaderlive.co.uk/news/155454/what-a-find-coin-collector-gets-his-hands-on-rare-50p-piece.aspx)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
ROYAL MINT ISSUES 2009 KEW GARDENS 50 PENCE COIN (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v12n24a19.html)
BRITONS SEARCH FOR RARE KEW GARDENS 50P COIN (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v17n08a25.html)