As we delve into the depths of our wallets, purses, and coin jars, we often overlook the tiny treasures that could be hiding in plain sight.

For our savvy seniors who remember when a cent piece could buy you a hearty meal, there's an exciting opportunity to turn that loose change into a sumptuous pub dinner with drinks to match.

But we're not talking about just any coin—we're on the hunt for a rare gem that could be worth 80 times its face value!


The coin in question is the 1979 50 cent piece, harbouring a little-known minting error that could make it exceptionally valuable.

Coin collector Michael McCauley has spotlighted this unique coin, which features a 'double bar' error—a pair of small metal lines behind the emu's head on the coin's reverse side.

These lines are a telltale of a coin that could fetch a pretty penny.


The story of the 50 cent coin is fascinating, with its journey beginning in the mid-1960s.

Initially circular, the coin transformed in 1969, adopting the distinctive dodecagonal shape we're familiar with today.

Fast forward to 1979, and the Royal Australian Mint churned out 24.9 million coins.


However, amidst this vast production, an unknown number of coins were struck with the double bar error.

This error originated from the original design, which included the double bars but were later removed to prevent a weakness in the die.

Despite this, some of these double-barred coins slipped through in 1979, 1980, and a few years thereafter.

According to Sterling Currency, the double bar die was 'unintentionally deployed' during these years when no other dies were available.

Now, let's talk numbers. If you're lucky enough to find a 1979 Double Bar 50 cent coin in your collection, you could look at a value of anywhere between $3 to $40, depending on the coin's condition.

But hold onto your hats because prices can soar even higher in the collector's market.


One auction site recently listed a Double Bar 50 cent coin with a grading of MS66 for a staggering $106.25.

This is more than double the price suggested by Coins and Australia, which pegs the error coin at around $48.20 for that condition.

So, dear members, it's time to rummage through your change and inspect those 50 cent pieces keenly.

You might find that you're sitting on a small fortune.

If you discover one of these rare coins, consider getting it professionally appraised to ensure you get the best possible return on your unexpected investment.


In a previous story, the same Australian coin collector spotlighted a rare 1991 10-cent coin that could fetch far more than its face value due to its low mintage.

Featuring the lyrebird design, only 4.8 million were made, making it a prized find—especially in uncirculated condition, where it can command even higher prices. You can read more about it here.


Remember using 50 cent coins back in the day? Have you ever checked if one holds hidden value? Have you held onto old change over the years? What treasures could be in your jar? Let us know in the comments below.