A coin expert has encouraged Brits to scrutinise their loose change for five of the rarest UK coins still in circulation, which combined could fetch more than £3,000 from collectors. It is easy to spend whatever change we have in our wallets or pockets without a second thought.
However, it might be worth taking a closer look before parting with certain coins due to their potential value. In a video posted on TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard revealed exactly what to look out for.
“Most valuable coins you can find in your change revealed,” he stated. The first coin he highlighted was a 50 pence piece from 2009, featuring the image of the iconic pagoda at Kew Gardens on its reverse side.
He explained: “Let’s start with a 50 pence coin and of course it is the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p. This coin is so hard to find with only 210,000 ever released and is worth around £140 today.”
Another 50p that collectors are eager to acquire is known as the Atlantic salmon, dated 2023. He continued: “Even fewer were released than the Kew at 200,000. And if you find one of these in your change, you’re looking at around £80.”
However, it’s only versions of this coin missing a tiny mark that are particularly sought after. “But remember, it’s only the one without a privy mark dated 2023 that is rare and valuable,” he advised.
The expert then pointed out the extraordinary value of a specific £2 coin with an error, stating: “Now, let’s move on to a £2 coin and this one is known as the Lord Kitchener.” Issued in 2014 to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, the coin bears the likeness of Lord Kitchener on its tail side.
To fetch a high price, it must lack the inscription “two pounds” on the obverse. The specialist mentioned that such a rarity could be valued at over £1,000.
He then turned to a 2p piece worth £2,000. He explained: “This is the ‘new pence’ two pence coin from 1983 and whilst it is unlikely you would find this in your change, it is possible.”
The coin should display “two pence” on the reverse, but instead, it reads “new pence”. The Coin Collecting Wizard remarked: “This coin from 1983 was in Royal Mint sets and a mistake was made with the words ‘new pence’ instead of ‘two pence’.
“If you find it, keep it because it’s valued at around £2,000.” He also disclosed that a dateless 20p coin might fetch up to £50.
He concluded: “And finally, let’s discuss a 20p coin with no date. If you come across a 20 pence minted in 2008 without a date on the coin, then you’ve stumbled upon a rare mule error 20p coin valued at approximately £50.”