The ‘ultra rare error’ coin from the mid-1980s is described as a ‘collector’s dream’ and works out at a potentially, staggering 390,000 times is original face value
It’s time to check your purses and wallets in case you’re sitting on a fortune. A rare 20p coin could in fact be worth up to £78,000 – a staggering 390,000 times its face value. A post on TikTok by a user called OldCoins posted a video of the coin in question, calling it an ‘ultra rare error coin’ that is a ‘collector’s dream’. They say: “Discover the incredible value of this rare error twenty pence coin featuring Elizabeth II. A must-see for coin enthusiasts!” The clip then examines the coin closely on both sides in detail, revealing that the year is from 1984 on the reverse – or tails – side.
Despite not explaining specifically what is so special about the coin, the video was viewed more than 27,000 times with just over 130 users leaving a comment on the post. Many of them claimed they owned a coin like this, with some saying they had versions from 1982 and 1982 up to 1995. Elsewhere, a coin expert recently urged people to check their change for two rare pieces that could be worth a combined £1,600. These particular £2 coins – still in circulation – feature an unusual error that make them sought-after by collectors.
TikTok user Coin Collecting Wizard posted: “You could be sat on a fortune, if you happen to own a rare fried egg £2 coin as collectors scramble to buy the £600 rarity. A design error on some of the Royal Mint’s £2 coins has left them looking like a runny fried egg as the middle has spilt out onto the outer rim.” Specifically, it means that the steel coloured nickel-plated brass inner circle of the coin has crept over into the usually yellow nickel-brass.
And with the festive season in full swing, Brits have also been urged to look out for a valuable 50p coin featuring two Christmas characters that could fetch hundreds of pounds. The elusive coin from 2008 is called the “Snowman and James coin”, and was designed to celebrate The Snowman book by Raymond Briggs, published back in 1978.
This coin is a territory coin, from the Isle of Man, but is legal tender throughout the UK. Coin expert Coin Collector UK explained: “£600 to £650 for this Snowman and James 50p. So, if you didn’t know already, territory Christmas 50ps can be worth some serious money. They range really from anywhere from about £12 pounds up to £650.”
