Britons are being encouraged to take a closer look at their loose change, as a coin collecting expert has identified four specific UK coins that could be worth a combined total of more than £1,100. The key to their value lies not in their age, but in specific and rare minting errors.
The Expert's Insight
A specialist known online as the Coin Collecting Wizard shared his knowledge in a recent TikTok video, detailing precisely what collectors and the public should be searching for. While he humorously claimed the finds "will make you a millionaire," the realistic combined valuation for the four coins is approximately £1,100.
The Four Coins to Hunt For
The first coin highlighted is a £2 coin from 2015. This piece may look normal at first glance, but it features a rotation error. When you twist the coin, the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse (heads) side appears upside down relative to the design on the reverse. The expert suggests this error could make the coin worth around £30 or more.
Next, he pointed to 20p coins from 2008. The valuable version of this coin is missing its date entirely due to a minting mistake. This error affected fewer than 250,000 coins out of the 136 million 20p pieces minted that year. Such an undated 20p could fetch £50 or above.
The third coin is a Benjamin Bunny 50p commemorative piece. Similar to the first coin, its value skyrockets if it possesses a rotation error. If the design is misaligned, this beloved children's character coin could be worth over £35.
The Most Valuable Find
The final and most precious coin is a £2 coin from 2014 commemorating the First World War and featuring Lord Kitchener. On the standard version, the words "two pounds" appear on the obverse side. However, on an extremely rare error version, this inscription is completely missing. The expert stated that finding one of these could be a windfall, as they can be sold for over £1,000.
To check for rotation errors, the expert recommends a simple test: hold the coin between your thumb and forefinger and twist it to see how the design on one side aligns with the other. For the missing date or missing inscription errors, a careful visual inspection is required.
While finding one of these error coins is a matter of luck, the potential reward makes it worth a moment to scrutinise your spare change. The hunt combines the thrill of a treasure hunt with the serious business of numismatics, proving that sometimes, a small piece of metal in your pocket can hold surprising value.
