Brits are being encouraged to check their change for a particular penny that could be worth as much as £300. The coin collectors should be searching for is not only historic but features a distinctive marking on one side.
In a clip shared on TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard advised his audience to search for an 1882 “H” penny. This piece displays Queen Victoria on its obverse (heads side) and depicts Britannia on the reverse (tails side).
While this alone doesn’t make it especially valuable, examples bearing a tiny mark can fetch considerably higher prices. The marking to look for is a small “H” positioned beneath the year 1882 on the reverse.
“Ever seen an 1882 British penny with a tiny H underneath Britannia? If you have, you might be wondering, is this rare?
“Is it worth big money? Let’s find out.” He clarified what the “H” signifies. These particular coins were produced by the Heaton and Sons Mint, rather than the Royal Mint.
“The H stands for the Heaton and Sons Mint in Birmingham, which struck a small batch of these pennies in 1882,” he said. “But here’s the key question, are they valuable?
“While the ‘H’ version is less common than the standard 1882 penny, it’s not super rare. Most are worth £5 to £30, depending on condition.”
Nevertheless, specimens in excellent condition can command significantly more. He continued: “But if you have that little ‘H’ on your coin, then if yours is in top condition, it can sell for £300 or more.
“So if you’ve got one, it’s a cool piece of history. But unless it’s in top shape, don’t expect to retire just yet.”
At the time of writing, the Dorset Coin Company was offering a version of this coin for £195. According to its website: “The 1882 H penny was struck in bronze.
“The obverse side of the coin depicts the young bust of Queen Victoria wearing a bodice, mantle, and circular brooch, with her hair in a bun and decorated with a wreath of leaves and berries.
“The reverse side of the coin depicts Britannia seated to the right, and the date is inscribed in the exergue. This bronze penny coin had a mintage figure of 7,526,400.”