Only six examples of the 1933 George V penny are known to exist, and one has previously sold for £72,000 at auction. Produced largely for ceremonial purposes, the penny never entered circulation – making it a holy grail for collectors.
Instagram user @CoinCollectingWizard described the coin as 'one of the rarest coins in UK history' and told his 37,200 followers: 'The British Penny that could change your life overnight!'
A penny that missed circulation
The collector added: 'Imagine finding a humble old penny in your change... only to discover it's worth a fortune. That's exactly the case with the legendary 1933 British penny – one of the rarest coins in UK history.' He said that anyone who finds one could be looking at hundreds of thousands of pounds at auction.
Warning over fakes
However, the expert issued a warning: because the coin is so famous, replicas are likely to have been made over the years, meaning far more fake examples are in existence than genuine ones. He cautioned that anyone who believes they have found one should have it examined by a specialist.
He added: 'The 1933 penny is the crown jewel of British coin collecting – but sadly, finding one in your change is like winning the lottery... twice.'
Value and unusual features
Experts estimate the 1933 George V penny is worth around £72,000. Its rarity stems from the fact that only a handful were ever produced and they were not made available to the public.
Some of the coins are described as 'uniface', meaning they feature a design on just one side, with the reverse left completely blank.
Key errors to look for in rare coins
- Identify the coin first: Ensure the piece is rare by looking at the date.
- Scan for any errors or marks: Off-centre strikes, double-struck images, missing text or any mint marks can determine its value. Mint marks are tiny letters, and often not many error coins are produced which makes them sought-after.
- Check the mintage: This is the total number of coins produced with that specific design and date. Lower mintage figures means a higher likelihood of rarity.
- Verify and value: If you think your coin is rare and valuable, speak to a professional or visit an auction.
