Coin specialist Chris Yang has urged the public to keep an eye out for three rare British coins that could be worth a substantial amount of money
Are you one of those people who casually tosses aside your spare change without a second glance?
Well, you may want to rethink this habit, as one coin expert is urging Brits to keep an eye out for three rare UK coins that could be worth ‘up to £72,900’.
Chris Yang, co-founder of Coins Value, revealed that the first of these rare coins is a 2p that’s especially valuable due to an obvious mistake. Released in 1983, it’s uncertain how many are currently in circulation, but some believe they were often included in souvenir sets. “Due to a minting error, some 1983 2p coins were struck with ‘New Pence’ on the reverse rather than ‘Two Pence’,” Chris informed the Mirror.
“This blunder makes it quite sought-after among collectors.” Currently, Chris estimates that a 1983 New Pence can fetch between £500 and £700. “Numismatic auction houses or online marketplaces like eBay are good options [for selling them].”
While this may seem like a hefty sum, it’s pennies in comparison to the value of another coin with a fascinating backstory. In the 1930s, banks had such a large stockpile of pennies that there wasn’t the need to put any more into general circulation, according to The Royal Mint.
As a result, 1933 King George V pennies, among others, were buried beneath the foundation stones of new buildings as part of a tradition. The Royal Mint has shed light on this fascinating tradition, revealing: “[There] was a convention at the time that complete sets of coins of the current year were buried under the foundation stones of new buildings.”
They added that “Consequently, three 1933 pennies were struck for buildings erected in that year, along with a small number to be kept as record copies by the British Museum and the Royal Mint Museum.”
So, coin enthusiasts, take note: if you happen upon a 1933 King George V penny, you might have hit the jackpot. Chris Yang pointed out that such a coin could rake in an eye-watering £72,000, as one did at a 2016 auction. The market for these rare gems is apparently booming, with one fetching £40,000 back in 2004 and another selling for £45,000 in 2006.
Chris elaborated: “This is one of the rarest British coins because only a few were ever produced as part of a special minting for record-keeping. The rarity and historical significance of the coin makes it highly sought-after by collectors.”
For those lucky enough to own such a treasure, Chris advises: “High-end auction houses like Sotheby’s or Bonhams would be the best option [to sell] such a rare coin.”
Wrapping up, Chris drew attention to a quirky 50p piece released in 2009 to mark the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens, featuring the iconic Chinese Pagoda, a structure dating back to 1762 and recently restored in 2018.
Chris revealed: “Only 210,000 coins were minted, making them one of the most sought-after 50p coins in circulation,” and added, “The coin commemorates the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens, featuring the iconic Pagoda.”
He pointed out that eBay and the London Coin Company are among the top spots to sell these rarities. Despite coins potentially fetching £150 to £200, Chris noted the price may hinge on their condition.
