An expert has highlighted five rare old English pennies that could be worth a fortune
Brits have been urged to rummage through their old coin collections for hidden gems worth considerably more than their face value. One expert has identified five specific coins that together could fetch upwards of £200,000.
A coin’s value hinges on several key factors, including its rarity and any unusual markings or minting errors it may carry. Age can also play a significant role in driving up its worth, with coins from particular years drawing considerable interest from collectors.
In a clip posted to TikTok, an expert going by the name Coin Collecting Wizard shone a spotlight on some old English pennies that are well worth hunting down. Despite having been out of circulation for many years, these coins could still be tucked away in lofts or forgotten coin jars.
The expert said: “Here are some old English pennies that are worth a fortune. You won’t believe some of these values.
“Remember, with these old coins it all depends on condition. But here we go.”
The first coin dates back to 1912, featuring an image of Britannia clutching a trident on its reverse side.
To command a truly eye-watering price, it must carry a small “H” close to the date. He said: “First up is the 1912 with a ‘H’ mint mark to the left of the date.
“These pennies have been known to sell for around £5 in good condition.” He then turned his attention to a penny from 1902. The obverse, or heads side, of this coin displays King Edward VII. However, it’s the reverse that has collectors sitting up and taking notice. While all versions of this coin feature an image of Britannia clutching a trident, those that fetch a higher price depict a low tide at her feet.
“Or how about this penny from 1902?” he said. “If it has a low tide, then its value is £500.”
He then went on to shed further light on the 1950 penny, which owing to its limited mintage can sell for as much as £70. He said: “Here is a 1950 penny, which is a low mintage and sells for around £30 to £70.”
He subsequently turned his attention to a 1918 penny bearing an unusual mark. Rather than being struck at the Royal Mint like the vast majority of British coins, these were produced at the King’s Norton Mint in Birmingham.
At the time, this firm was brought in under contract to help meet the soaring demand for coins. These particular coins were stamped with the letters “KN” to denote their origins.
“The 1918 penny with a KN mint mark is another scarce coin and in mint condition,” he said. “These have sold for upwards of £600.
“Again, it all depends on condition, remember.” Rounding things off, he touched on the most prized penny of the lot — the 1933 penny.
Its extraordinary scarcity is down to the fact that only an estimated six or seven were ever struck by the Royal Mint. The reverse of this remarkable penny depicts Britannia brandishing a trident, while King George V’s portrait graces the opposite side. According to the Antiques Trade Gazette, one version of this particular coin fetched $165,000 at auction back in 2016. He added: “And we cannot miss the almighty 1933 penny that is worth £200,000. Yep, that’s right, just for a penny.
“The reason for such a high valuation is only seven are known to exist today. So there you go, just a few of the rare pennies to look out for.”
