A SPECIFIC “three Cs” design on a 50p coin made it worth hundreds of times more after an intense bidding war.

Just 200,000 of the rare pieces were ever made, giving it the lowest mintage of all circulating 50p coins.

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The Atlantic Salmon 50p is now officially the rarest of its type in circulation after dethroning the Kew Gardens 50p.

The coin was struck to highlight the plight of the species of fish, whose population is in decline.

Its design features a salmon emerging from the water alongside a pattern of “three Cs.”

The head side of the coin features King Charles III.

The 50p piece started entering general circulation at the end of 2023 as part of a new series of coins marking the ascension of King Charles to the throne.

As the least common 50p in circulation, it has been in high demand from coin collectors.

One of the pieces recently sold for more than 280 times its value on eBay.

After 23 competitive bids for the coin, it eventually sold for £142.

The Royal Mint has revealed 200,000 of the pieces were sent to banks and post offices across the UK at the end of last year.

There were 210,000 Kew Gardens 50p coins put into circulation 15 years ago which had made it the rarest of the 50ps for over a decade.

But the latest mintage figures from The Royal Mint show its spot has now been taken by the Atlantic Salmon 50p.

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coins at The Royal Mint said: “The releasing of mintage figures is an eagerly anticipated event among the coin collecting community – and this year is particularly exciting as we reveal the Atlantic Salmon as the rarest 50p in circulation.

“For the first time in 15 years, the highly collectable Kew Gardens 50p loses its top spot as the rarest in circulation with the Atlantic Salmon 50p splashing its way to number one.”

MILLIONS suffering from long-term health conditions or disabilities get extra help through Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The payments can be worth as much as £108.55 a week, so if you don’t claim it already, it could be a good idea to check if you’re eligible.

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PIP is available to those aged 16 or over but have not yet reached the state pension age.

Crucially, you must also have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around – or both- for three months.

You should also expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you’re terminally ill with less than 12 months to live).

But even if you’ve got an active claim for PIP, there are some scenarios where they can be stopped.

Tom Farquhar, benefits information specialist at disability charity Scope, has shed light on four of them.

He said last year: “When it comes to your PIP there are certain changes that you might need to report to stop your benefit being cut off by the DWP.

“There are risks associated with not reporting a change in your situation, including overpayment or even prosecution.

“That’s why it’s important to report the following changes to DWP as soon as possible.”

Going into hospital

If you have to go into hospital for more than 28 days, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will pause your PIP.

However, if you are under 18 or paying for a private hospital stay, payments won’t be stopped.

It’s worth noting if you leave the hospital before the 28 days is up, you can still have payments stopped if you go back.

Tom said: “If you go back to hospital within 28 days of leaving, it will count as the same stay and add up.”

As an example, someone might go to hospital for 20 days and then go home.

After 10 days at home, they might go back into hospital.

The DWP would stop paying this person PIP if they were in hospital for more than eight days.

The same 28-day rule applies if you go into a care home.

Again, if you are paying for the care home privately this rule won’t affect you.

Going to prison

The DWP will stop PIP payments if you are in prison or held in custody for 28 days or longer.

Once you are no longer in prison or custody it is your responsibility to contact the DWP and tell them you are out.

Tom said: “Once you are no longer in prison or custody you’ll need to contact the them and they’ll start payments up again.”

You go abroad

If you leave England, Scotland or Wales, for more than 13 weeks the DWP will stop any PIP payments.

If you leave these same countries because you need medical treatment, you have longer until you stop receiving payments.

Tom said: “If you leave Great Britain for longer than 13 weeks, or 26 weeks if you go for medical treatment, the DWP will stop your PIP payment.”

Your personal circumstances change

If your personal details change, such as name or address, or your doctor changes you could see PIP payments stop.

So you should tell the DWP as soon as possible about any changes to avoid this.

Any changes to your personal circumstances might impact what elements of PIP you can receive too.

Tom said: “It’s important to report these changes so that you can get the correct amount of PIP for your needs, and to avoid being cut off or prosecution for not relaying updates.”

You can update the DWP on any change in circumstances via their enquiry line – 0800 121 4433.

If your PIP payments have stopped and you don’t know why, you can call Scope for help on 0808 800 3333.

The helpline is open seven days a week, Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm, and 10am to 6pm at the weekends.

Alternatively, you can email helpline@scope.org.uk.

What is PIP?

PIP is a benefit given to people suffering from a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.

This condition might make it hard for you to carry out certain everyday tasks or get around.

You can get the benefit even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.

There are two parts to PIP – the daily living part and the mobility part.

You might be entitled to the daily living part of PIP if you need help with:

• Eating, drinking or preparing food
• Washing, bathing and using the toilet
• Dressing and undressing
• Reading and communicating
• Managing your medicines or treatments
• Making decisions about money
• Socialising and being around other people

You might be entitled to the mobility part if you need help with:

• Working out a route and following it
• Physically moving around
• Leaving your home

PIP is made up of two parts and whether you get one or both of these depends on how severely your condition affects you.

How much you get also depends on how your condition affects you.

You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around. The weekly rate for this is either £26.90 or £71.

While on the daily living part of PIP, the weekly rate is either £68.10 or £101.75 – and you could get both elements, so up to £172.75 in total.

You’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

Who is eligible?

PIP is available to people aged 16 or over but not yet at the state pension age.

You must have lived in England or Wales for at least two of the last three years, and be in one of these countries when you apply.

The process is different in Northern Ireland, and there are additional rules if you live abroad or if you’re not a British citizen.

In Scotland, you will need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead.

Crucially, you must also have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you’re terminally ill with less than six months to live).

You can claim PIP at the same time as other benefits, except the armed forces independence payment.

If you receive constant attendance allowance you will receive less of the daily living part of PIP.

If you get war pensioners‘ mobility supplement you will not get the mobility part of PIP.

MILLIONS of UK homes are full of unwanted tech that could be turned into much-needed cash for the festive season

With Christmas fast approaching and many Brits feeling the pressure to keep their festive spending in check, an easy way to make some extra cash could be sitting right under your nose.

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According to new research, you could make up to £450 by recycling unwanted devices like phones, laptops and tablets, all just in time to help cover the cost of gifts, decorations, and festive days out.

Virgin Media O2’s recent study reveals that 68% of Brits are keen to recycle their old tech for cash, with a large number ready to sell unused consoles or smartphones.

With nearly half of the population expecting their Christmas spending to exceed last year’s, this presents a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to boost their holiday budget.

On average, households in the UK have four unused devices lying around, according to Virgin Media O2.

The mobile provider has shared which gadgets can get you the most money through its recycling pay-out scheme, adding up to a tidy £446 if you have them all.

Here’s a breakdown of what you could make for popular tech items through O2 Recycle:

• Smartphones: £136.46
• Tablets: £144.52
• Consoles: £80.16
• Laptops/MacBooks: £205.17
• Earbuds: £53.52
• Wearables/Smartwatches: £81.36

This means that a couple of devices could see you pocketing a decent sum to spend on your festive celebrations.

If you have a few devices lying around that you no longer use, it’s worth getting them appraised and exchanging them for some much-needed cash.

With 02’s recycling scheme you will receive cash to recycle your old devices but you can also opt for credit to put towards a new device.

To do it you just have to register by searching for your device on the O2 Recycle website and adding it to your basket.

Make sure you prepare your device by deleting any personal data, removing the SIM or memory card.

You can then send off your device by booking a courier for pickup or taking it to the Post Office.

Once O2 receives and assesses your device, you’ll receive payment—either credited to your O2 account or paid via BACS or cheque.

Whilst this scheme is great to get some cash out of your old tech junk, it’s not the only way to get paid for recycling your old tech.

You could also consider selling old tech to websites such as Decluttr, musicMagpie or Tech2Cash.

These websites allow you to trade in old-gadgets in exchange for cash, you can also rank your quotes by how much the recycler will pay.

For those who prefer to go in store, stores such as CEX or Game allow you trade in devices in store in exchange for cash or even store vouchers which can be handy when buying new gadgets.

TOP TIPS

If you’re wondering how to get the best price for your unwanted tech, here are some top tips:

Always compare prices

Don’t settle for the first offer you get.

Use websites like Compare and Recycle to check what different companies are offering for your devices.

The difference in price can be as much as £87, so it pays to shop around.

Condition Matters

The better condition your gadgets are in, the higher the payout.

Take good care of your items before selling them, and be honest about their condition to avoid a lower pay-out when the company inspects them.

Sell Smart

Whether you opt to use online platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, or kiosks like ecoATM, you can often get a better deal if you’re willing to put in a little more effort.

Just make sure you compare quotes first.

Take Advantage of Cashback

Some platforms, like TopCashback and Quidco, offer bonus cashback when you sell your tech through specific services.

This is a great way to get a little extra money for your gadgets.

DON’T MISS OUT

Tech depreciates quickly, so it’s best to sell your old devices sooner rather than later.

According to experts at Compare and Recycle, devices like iPhones can lose up to 20 per cent of their value within just three months of a new model’s release.

The sooner you sell, the better your pay-out.

From old smartphones and laptops to game consoles and wearables, there’s no shortage of gadgets just waiting to be turned into cash.

So, why not dig through those drawers, collect your unwanted devices, and sell them for extra cash this Christmas?

With up to £450 potentially waiting for you, this could be the easiest money you make in time for the festive season.

Meanwhile, if you’re considering other ways to make money, you might want to start a side hustle.

This supersaver managed to put £20,000 away thanks to shopping smart and side hustles.

Elsewhere, an expert reveals three easy ideas that can earn you £5000 before Christmas – including a side hustle that requires no effort.

MAKE the most of the longer autumn evenings by hosting a games night.

It’s a great fun activity for friends or all the family and gets the grey matter and competitive juices going.

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Plus, you can keep the evening cheap and cheerful with these tips.

GAME ON: Trying to explain complicated rules can quickly suck the fun out of an evening so stick to simple and easy to understand options.

Cards Against Humanity is a great group game, but if you’ve played that one too many times, try something new.

Herd Mentality is great fun. All players have to try to write down the same answer as others in the group — get it for £13.16 at onbuy.com.

Or Exploding Kittens, £18 from Argos, is a strategic game of Russian Roulette that is easy to learn.

And why not give an old-fashioned family game a new spin?

Download Charades! For Kids — the basic version is free — and a word will pop up on your phone screen through the app.

Each player holds the phone to their head so the others can see the word but they can’t and tries to guess it within a minute, based on clues from everyone else. The time limit can be changed

QUIZ-TASTIC: Putting together a quiz is a fab way to get the competitive spirit going in a group and you don’t need to buy any sets to get started.

Give each person coming a theme — say sport, or TV — and ask them to create five or ten questions on it, then everyone takes a turn as quizmaster for their round.

FOOD AND DRINK: To avoid being stuck in the kitchen all evening, ask your pals to bring a dish each to share, plus a drink.

Or throw a few pizzas in the oven for an easy catering option.

You can take turns to host among the group — this also gives everyone a chance to challenge any victors to a rematch.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

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WHIP up the ultimate comforting dish with this Daewoo soup maker down from £79.99 to £39.99 at Robert Dyas.

SAVE: £40

Cheap treat

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BREW a cuppa and enjoy a couple of these limited edition McVitie’s golden caramel flavour digestives, £1.50, from Asda.

Top swap

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UPGRADE your style credentials with this green velvet blazer, £170, from Boden.

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SAVE: £6.50

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JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

Legal & General’s asset management division has partnered with Blue Sky Financial Planning to deliver its model portfolio service proposition.

As part of the collaboration, L&G will provide a range of multi-asset solutions for Blue Sky’s clients across the UK.

It will also manage the rebalancing of the model portfolios to ensure that investments remain aligned with Blue Sky clients’ risk profiles.

These portfolios will include a completion portfolio, which contains a selection of best-in-class active managers ,as well as L&G’s in-house funds.

L&G will also provide wrap around services.

These include supporting Blue Sky for end client updates on strategy and regular investment updates from L&G’s asset allocation and distribution teams.

L&G will take on the management of risk and mandatory due diligence required, as well as looking after compliance and reporting functions.

Meanwhile, Blue Sky will focus on delivering financial advice for their clients.

The partnership builds on the momentum of L&G’s MPS business, which first launched three years ago.

With over 50 clients and partners, the MPS offering is now available across 12 of the major platforms, including Aegon, Quilter and Transact.

The core MPS range is made up of 21 portfolios, across three investment styles – index, blended and ESG – as well as seven different risk profiles.

The L&G proposition also includes a platform programme and adviser hub that can be white labelled to suit adviser needs.

Head of UK wholesale, Legal & General Asset Manager, Ben Cherrington, said: “L&G has made considerable progress with the growth of our MPS business, welcoming new clients, partners and platforms in recent months.

“Our combination of scale and investment expertise means we are well positioned to offer clients like Blue Sky tailored and robust investment propositions at a competitive price.”

Blue Sky Financial Planning CEO, Gary Neild, added: “We are delighted to further strengthen our relationship with Legal & General’s Asset Manager.

“Over the years we have enjoyed a healthy and respectful working relationship which has undoubtedly, benefitted our clients.

“The prospect of being able to offer our clients a bespoke, tailored model portfolio service with one of the largest asset managers in the world is exciting.”

The model portfolios will be managed by Francis Chua, alongside L&G’s Asset Allocation team which is made up of 40 investment professionals.

The team has established a dedicated risk management framework and governance committee to ensure that portfolios remain on track.

They will work in partnership with the solutions team, which oversees £200bn of institutional client portfolios.

Blue Sky is an employee-owned chartered financial planning firm based in the South-West of England.

HUNDRED of thousands of families are missing out on vital pension credit payments worth up to £3,900 annually, according to new figures from the Department for Work and Pensions.

The latest statistics reveal that up to 760,000 families entitled to pension credit did not claim it during the financial year ending in 2023.

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This is a slight improvement from the previous year when around 870,000 families were eligible but didn’t take up the benefit.

Pension credit, a means-tested benefit designed to top up the income of the poorest pensioners, is becoming increasingly important as it is now linked to other crucial support.

In particular, those claiming pension credit are eligible for the winter fuel payment, which has become more restrictive following recent government changes.

The benefit goes to those who’ve reached State Pension age, which is currently 66, whose weekly income is less than £201.05 if you’re single, or £306.85 for couples.

Those who have a higher income may still be eligible if they have a higher income but have others costs like housing, a disability, or even savings.

Claiming Pension Credit can also unlock extra help, including, a free TV licence if you’re over 75, help with council tax and support with household costs such as ground rent.

A surge in pension credit applications was observed after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July that the winter fuel payment would only be available to pensioners receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

This change, aimed at addressing a £22billion deficit in public finances, is expected to reduce the number of recipients of the £300 winter fuel allowance from 11.4million to just 1.5million.

Despite the recent uptick in claims, a staggering £1.5billion worth of pension credit went unclaimed last year.

This is a slight improvement from the £2billion left unclaimed in the previous year, but it highlights the ongoing issue of low benefit take-up among pensioners.

It comes as thousands of Sun readers flooded our Winter Fuel SOS helpline yesterday looking for help to hang on to the payment.

Figures from the DWP show that 65 per cent of those entitled to pension credit claimed it in 2023, up from 63 per cent in 2022.

While the rise is encouraging, campaigners argue that far more needs to be done to ensure older people receive the financial help they’re entitled to.

Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Boosting take-up of pension credit has been a major problem that has proven tricky to crack, with previous campaigns being derailed by the pandemic.

However, there are signs that progress is being made, with take-up creeping up to 65 per cent from 63 per cent the previous year.”

Morrissey added that the recent focus on linking pension credit to the winter fuel payment may drive further increases in applications.

She said: “The restriction of the winter fuel allowance to people on benefits such as pension credit has garnered many headlines, with people urged to check if they can put in a claim.”

However, she warned that the scale of the problem remains significant.

She continued: “More than 750,000 families who could receive pension credit are still not claiming it.”

“Pension credit is a hugely valuable benefit that not only tops up income but also acts as a gateway to other support such as a free TV licence for the over-75s as well as help with council tax.”

With energy bills set to rise again this winter, the winter fuel payment will be critical in helping pensioners manage their household costs.

Campaigners have urged those who think they might be eligible to apply for pension credit as soon as possible.

Joanna Elson, chief executive of Independent Age, described the figures as “disappointing” and warned of the real-life consequences for those missing out on financial help.

Joanna said: “Behind these statistics are real people who are worrying about whether they will be able to afford next month’s bills.”

She added that the winter fuel payment should be protected from means-testing to ensure the most vulnerable pensioners don’t miss out on essential support.

Joanna continued: “To ensure this group don’t also miss out on the winter fuel payment, we continue to call on the UK Government to pause their plan to means test the winter fuel payment.”

Campaigners argue that the current approach to encouraging pension credit claims isn’t enough and are calling for a more innovative, long-term strategy to reach those most in need.

With winter approaching, the pressure is mounting to ensure that pensioners don’t face financial hardship as energy prices soar.

For many, claiming pension credit could provide a much-needed lifeline during the cold months ahead.

Meanwhile, money saving expert, Martin Lewis was seen clashing with government minister Lisa Nandy over the Winter Fuel Payment decision that will affect millions of pensioners.

The Sun’s Winter Fuel S.O.S Campaign

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WORRIED about energy bills? The Sun’s Winter Fuel SOS crew are taking calls on Wednesday.

We want to help thousands of pensioners worried about energy bills this winter, with tips and advice on how to make cash go further.

Our Winter Fuel SOS crew will be able to help answer your questions on whether you can get Pension Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment.

Ten million OAPs are set to lose the £300 Winter Fuel Payment due to government cutbacks.

It comes in the same month that millions of households are hit by a ten per cent rise in bills as the Energy Price Cap shoots up.

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We can help with advice on how else to save money.
Our phone line is open 7am to 7pm Wednesday October 9 – you can call us on 0800 028 1978.

Or you can email now: WinterfuelSOS@the-sun.co.uk