Coin collectors and everyday Brits are being encouraged to take a closer look at their spare change, as experts highlight a specific £2 coin error that could be worth a small fortune.
The Valuable Lord Kitchener £2 Coin Error
According to a specialist known online as the Coin Collecting Wizard, a rare version of the 2014 Lord Kitchener £2 coin is highly sought after. This piece was minted to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.
The key to its value lies in a significant minting mistake. On the correct coin, the words 'two pounds' appear on the obverse (head side) beneath the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. However, on the extremely rare error version, these words are completely missing.
The expert stated that only a handful of these error coins have ever been discovered. This scarcity drives its high market value. RWB Auctions sold one such coin for £1,000 in February 2024, with current estimates suggesting it could fetch even more.
Another £2 Coin To Watch For
In the same social media briefing, the collector pointed out a second opportunity hiding in people's pockets. This involves the 2016 Shakespeare tragedy £2 coin, which celebrates the famous playwright.
Some of these coins were accidentally struck with the wrong edge inscription. The correct quote should be 'what a piece of work is a man'. The valuable error version, however, features the inscription 'for King and Country', which was intended for a different commemorative £2 coin.
This Shakespeare error coin is valued at around 20 times its face value. In May 2024, an example sold at auction for £123, demonstrating a solid return on a mere two-pound piece.
What This Means For Your Wallet
The discovery of such valuable errors in everyday circulation highlights the potential hidden in plain sight. For the public, it underscores the importance of examining coins before spending them.
While finding one of these rare errors is a long shot, the financial reward is significant. The advice from numismatic experts is clear: take a moment to check the details of your £2 coins, focusing on the lettering and edge inscriptions. You might just be holding a piece worth hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds.
