£5 Coin Value Checker
Search live eBay listings and sold prices for UK £5 crown coins, then use the guide below to understand why some £5 coins are worth more than face value (and why most aren’t).
Last updated: January 11, 2026
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Select a coin from the dropdown or enter a search term, then click Search to see eBay listings.
As part of the eBay Partner Network, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you. Prices shown here may not be final. Check eBay for final selling price plus any applicable tax, import or shipping charges. These are not our products for sale. Please check all details directly with the eBay seller before committing to any purchase.
Understanding £5 Coin Values
Quick answer: why some £5 coins sell above face value
Most UK £5 coins are commemorative “crown” issues sold by The Royal Mint in presentation packs or as proofs. The face value says “£5”, but collectors typically pay (or don’t pay) based on four things: finish metal condition and collector demand.
A handled, loose, marked £5 coin is often close to face value in the real world (even when the internet calls it “rare”). A proof or silver proof coin with original box & COA can command a meaningful premium.
What usually drives price for £5 coins
- Finish: Proof > Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) > circulated/handled.
- Metal: Silver/Gold proofs generally outperform base‑metal issues of the same design.
- Packaging: Box, COA (certificate of authenticity), capsule, and outer sleeve matter a lot.
- Theme demand: Popular themes (royal events, big anniversaries, pop culture) can spike.
- Condition: Hairlines, toning, milk spots, rim knocks, and fingerprints can reduce value sharply.
Why “£5 coin in your change” is uncommon
£5 coins are legal tender, but they’re typically produced as collector products rather than everyday circulation coins. That’s why value guidance for £5 coins focuses more on collectible condition and original packaging than on “rarity in pocket change”.
What £5 Coins Are Worth Money?
The fastest way to answer this for your coin is to use the tool above and click Check Sold Prices. Sold listings show what buyers actually paid (not what sellers hope for).
Common £5 “worth money” categories
| Category | Why it sells | Typical reality |
|---|---|---|
| Proof £5 coins | Highest finish, mirrored fields, often boxed with COA | Often a premium if complete & clean; incomplete sets usually fall back |
| Silver proof / precious metal | Metal value + collector demand + limited editions | Usually stronger resale than base‑metal BU of the same design |
| Popular themes | High collector demand (anniversaries, iconic figures, pop culture) | Demand can be seasonal and trend-driven |
| Complete presentation | Box + COA + capsule + sleeve = “sellable unit” | Missing COA/box can materially reduce resale |
| Genuine minting errors | True errors are scarce and collectible | Many “errors” online are damage; verify before pricing high |
Value ranges you’ll see most often (guidance, not a promise)
Because £5 coins are largely collector products, values vary wildly by version (BU vs proof vs silver/gold). As a safe rule of thumb: packaged BU coins usually trade close to their issue price range; proof and precious‑metal coins can trade significantly higher when complete and in demand; loose handled base‑metal pieces often struggle to earn a premium even when the design feels “special”.
How to Check Your £5 Coin’s Value Properly
Use sold data, not asking prices. Asking prices are wishes. Sold prices are reality.
Step-by-step (fast)
- Select your coin in the dropdown (or type a specific search phrase).
- Set your country/marketplace and sort order.
- Click Check Sold Prices to see real-world outcomes.
- Compare like-for-like: same finish, same packaging, similar condition.
Keywords that help when searching £5 coins
- “proof” / “silver proof” / “gold proof”
- “BU” (Brilliant Uncirculated) / “presentation pack”
- “COA” / “box” / “capsule”
- “piedfort” (thicker coin; not always available for every design)
Condition cheat sheet (what buyers care about)
- Proof coins: hairlines, haze, milk spots, fingerprinting, and capsule scuffs are big deal-breakers.
- BU coins: rim knocks and contact marks matter; complete pack helps more than people think.
- Toning: some buyers love it, others avoid it — consistency and photos are everything.
£5 Coin Errors: Real vs “Facebook Rare”
Most supposed £5 “errors” are actually post-mint damage (scratches, plating wear, edge knocks) or photo tricks. A real minting error is something that happened during manufacture, not after it entered the world.
Errors that can matter
- Wrong planchet / wrong metal: the coin is struck on an unintended blank (rare).
- Off-centre strike: design is clearly misaligned with visible missing rim (collectible when dramatic).
- Die rotation: obverse/reverse alignment is significantly rotated (needs a clean demonstration).
- Missing or doubled design elements: genuine die issues (not camera blur).
Things that are usually not valuable
- Scratches and gouges (“it’s rare because it’s damaged”).
- Discoloration from handling, cleaning, chemicals, or PVC flips.
- Edge knocks from being dropped or banged around.
- “No mint mark” claims (UK circulation coins generally don’t have US-style mint marks).
If you suspect a true error, compare sold listings for the same type of error and use clear photos: full obverse, full reverse, and a sharp edge shot.
Best Way to Sell a £5 Coin
Sell it like a collector would buy it
- Photograph: diffuse light, straight-on shots, show COA/box if included.
- Title: include year + theme + finish (BU/Proof/Silver Proof) + “COA/Box” if true.
- Honesty: disclose marks, toning, milk spots, capsule scratches.
- Shipping: coin stays protected; capsules crack easily in cheap packaging.
Collector markets reward clarity. A £5 coin with complete packaging and accurate description often beats a “rare!!!” listing with blurry photos and missing details.
£5 Coin Value FAQ
Are £5 coins actually legal tender?
Yes — but many £5 coins are produced primarily as collectibles, so they’re not commonly seen in day-to-day spending. Collectors usually trade them based on finish, packaging, and demand.
What £5 coins are worth the most?
In general, precious-metal versions (silver/gold proofs), low-issue collector versions, and coins with strong theme demand tend to lead the pack — especially when boxed with a COA and in top condition.
Is a BU £5 coin worth more than £5?
Often yes, but usually not by magic. BU value depends heavily on whether it’s still in its original packaging and how much collectors currently want that design.
Do “error” £5 coins always sell for more?
No. True mint errors can be valuable, but most online “errors” are just damage. Check sold listings for the same error type and use clear photos before assuming a premium.
What’s the best way to price my £5 coin today?
Use sold prices from the tool above, match the same finish/packaging, and average several comparable sales. Ignore outlier listings that look misdescribed or poorly photographed.