When swimming can give you a massive return: the mythical Olympic 50p coin...

Throughout the month of January, ill be looking back at historical moments from the past. From conflicts to coronations, sporting moments to royal memories, and famous firsts and lasts. With my love of all things shiny and precious, ill be trying to tie these events in with coins that have been created to commemorate these moments.

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On the weekend of 27–28 January 2007, the BBC aired the final editions of Grandstand, their flagship sports programme. First aired in 1958, Grandstand was one of the BBC’s longest running shows and covered every major sporting event in Britain, such as the FA Cup and the Grand National, as well as major international events such as the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup.

Over its 49-year run, the programme had four main presenters: David Coleman (who took over from Peter Dimmock after the first three episodes), Frank Bough, Des Lynam and Steve Rider. In the last few years of Grandstand, changes to the show’s format meant it no longer had a regular presenter. Now if you dont remember all the presenters, you will definitely remember the THEME SONG.

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The ROYAL MINT has released many a sporting commemorative coin throughout its illustrious lifespan as the UK coinage manufacturers. While there are far too many to cover in just one post, there is one coin that pops straight to the front of the queue when it comes to investing and a return on original investment.

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The now famous "water over the face" aquatic, 50 pence (50p), 2012 Olympic coin. This is by far the most sought after 50p in the Olympic set. The coin featuring someone in a swimming cap, was minted more than two million times, but there is an alternative design that was scrapped before the 29 coins were produced en masse. It depicts a swimmer underwater, with the water lines over their face, as opposed to the one that went into circulation which shows the swimmer's head clear of the water lines.

These coins were produced as individual sports collectables, and you could buy them as stand alone coins direct from the RM before they were released into general circulation. This special version is hard to find, with an estimated 600 coins released before the design was changed. After being released, it was felt that the water passing over the face of the swimmer detracted from its appeal, and so the dyes were changed and all new coins minted were of the alternative "new" design.

So early-bird investors could be sitting on a small little fortune and not know it.

While graded versions dont come up for sale too often, the last that did, and was sold, was listed for £3500!!

A more realistic sale price for these rare coins is in the £500+ range. Last November, one sold for £570 ($775/€695) after a 7-day auction with 35 bids....

So go check your colllection, and keep an eye out in your change as sometimes they can, and have, worked their way in to circulation. Good luck finding one and happy hunting.

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