A £1 coin with a 'highly unusual' minting error has sold on eBay for £46.04, far exceeding its face value. The coin features a copper-coloured outer ring instead of the standard pale-gold, making it a sought-after piece for collectors.
Coin's 'Striking' Copper Hue
The coin, dated 2025, was described in the listing as having a 'uniform, vibrant copper tone across the entire outer ring on both sides,' unlike the typical pale-gold nickel-brass rings found on normal £1 coins. The listing noted the colouration is 'incredibly even, highlighting the mint lustre,' and called it a 'fantastic addition for any collector of modern UK decimal errors and variations.'
The seller added that the coin was 'circulated, but held by edges and carefully stored in a protective pocket since discovery to preserve the finish.'
Sale Details and Value
The coin was purchased by a collector on Friday, October 16, for £46.04 plus £2.72 postage. This price represents 46 times the coin's face value, prompting Brits to check their change for similar errors.
History of the £1 Coin
The £1 coin was first issued in April 1983 to replace the £1 note. It was made thicker than other coins and featured a 'yellow' colour to distinguish it from the cupro-nickel 'silver' coins in circulation. In 2017, the round £1 coin was replaced by a 12-sided version, and in August 2024, the first King Charles III coin, featuring two honey bees on the reverse, entered general circulation.
