You may not realise that these old coins could be worth a small fortune – but only if they’re from certain eras
People are being advised to search their attics for a scarce coin that could fetch a substantial sum. Particular examples of this currency might command prices up to £100,000, according to an expert.
A content creator operating under the name Coin Collecting Wizard posted a clip on TikTok, revealing that a well-preserved halfpenny from a particular year “recently auctioned for big money”. The pre-decimal halfpenny, also referred to as a ha’penny, represented half the value of an old penny.
Initially struck in copper and subsequently in bronze, it was withdrawn from circulation in July 1969. The Coin Collecting Wizard suggests that certain halfpennies will command significantly more than their original value, depending on their year of issue and state of preservation.
He stated: “Did you know old UK halfpennies can be worth money? Keep an eye out for specific dates worth a fortune.
“With a history spanning over 800 years there are many rare and collectible halfpenny coins. If you’d somehow come across one of the earliest halfpenny coins, perhaps from as far back as the 13th century, then you could be looking at over £100,000.”
An illustration of an 1860 halfpenny was then displayed. “An uncirculated 1860 halfpenny like below, recently auctioned for big money,” he added.
According to Coinstrail, a specimen of an 1860 halfpenny sold for $11,500 at auction in 2007. The specialist advised: “You need to look out for halfpennies from the 1800s.
“And it all depends on condition of the coin too.” He further stated: “You never know what might be sitting in a box in your loft, so get your old coin collection out or ask family members about these coins and make yourself some serious money.”
The Royal Mint Museum provided more insight into halfpennies. It said: “Although the silver penny had been part of the currency since the middle of the seventh century, halfpennies and farthings did not become a regular feature until the 13th century.
“Until then, for the purpose of change, pennies were cut into halves and quarters, so that a halfpenny was literally half a penny and a farthing a quarter or ‘fourthing’.
“As with the penny, round halfpennies and farthings in silver became in due course too small to be of practical use. The silver farthing ceased to be coined under Edward VI and the silver halfpenny 100 years later during the period of the Commonwealth.”