Penny coin (Image: Mirrorpix)
It’s no secret certain coins command a truly staggering sum of money. When it comes to rare coins, it could be a special 20p or even the 50p which is “skyrocketing in value” that might catch your eye.
But now a penny coin, dubbed the “rarest in UK history”, is causing quite a sensation among collectors who are clamouring to get their hands on it. The piece carries an extraordinary value of £72,000 and you could potentially have it sitting in your pocket without even knowing it. Think Atlantic Salmon 50p, but even bigger…
Over on social media, one expert recently shed light on the penny.
Instagram user, known as @CoinCollectingWizard, declared the 1933 British penny is “one of the rarest coins in UK history”.
Speaking to his 37,000 followers, he described it as a “British penny that could change your life overnight”.
He added: “Imagine finding a humble old penny in your change… only to discover it’s worth a fortune. That’s exactly the case with the legendary 1933 British penny – one of the rarest coins in UK history.”
The 1933 British penny: Rarest coin in UK history explained
The coin collector previously revealed that only six genuine examples are known to exist. Crucially, none of these would have been released into general circulation, having been minted for ceremonial purposes, sadly.
He added: “If you somehow stumbled across one, you could be looking at hundreds of thousands of pounds at auction. The catch? Because they’re so famous, there are far more fakes than real ones.”
Meanwhile, the expert cautioned that numerous replicas would have been produced throughout the years – so ensure you have your coin authenticated by a professional.
He added: “The 1933 penny is the crown jewel of British coin collecting – but sadly, finding one in your change is like winning the lottery… twice.”
This particular coin is known as the 1933 George V penny, which experts believe carries an estimated value of £72,000.
The reason it’s exceptionally rare is due to the limited number in existence, and they weren’t meant for circulation. This means they would never have been distributed to the public.
Some of these are “uniface”, meaning they are single-sided, with the reverse side remaining blank.
How to spot rare coins in your change: Key errors to look for
Identify the coin first: Determine if the piece is rare by examining the date.
Scan for any errors or marks: Off-centre strikes, double-struck images, missing text or any mint marks can establish its value. Mint marks are tiny letters, and often not many error coins are manufactured, which makes them highly sought-after.
Check the mintage: This refers to the total number of coins manufactured with that particular design and date. Lower mintage figures indicate a greater likelihood of rarity.
Verify and value: If you believe your coin is rare and valuable, consult a professional or visit an auction.