Coin collectors and the general public across the UK are being encouraged to rummage through their spare change, following an expert's revelation that a specific £2 coin error could be worth more than £1,000.
The Valuable Lord Kitchener £2 Coin Error
The coin in the spotlight is the Lord Kitchener £2 coin, minted in 2014 to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. While millions were produced, a tiny number contain a critical mistake that makes them highly sought-after.
An expert, known online as the Coin Collecting Wizard, highlighted the error in a social media video. On the standard coin, the words 'two pounds' appear on the obverse (the head side featuring Queen Elizabeth II). However, on the extremely rare error version, these words are completely missing.
Only a handful of these error coins are known to exist, driving their value sky-high. According to auction records from RWB Auctions, one such coin sold for £1,000 in February 2024, with current estimates suggesting it could fetch even more today.
Another £2 Coin to Watch For: The Shakespeare Tragedy
The same expert also pointed collectors towards another potentially lucrative find: the 2016 Shakespeare tragedy £2 coin. This coin commemorates the famous playwright and typically bears the edge inscription 'what a piece of work is a man'.
The valuable error occurs when this coin was mistakenly stamped with the edge inscription 'for King and Country', a phrase intended for a different commemorative £2 coin. If you find a Shakespeare £2 coin with this wrong inscription, it could be worth around 20 times its face value.
Evidence of its value comes from an auction in May 2024, where an example of this error coin sold for £123.
How to Check Your Coins and What to Do Next
For the Lord Kitchener coin, carefully examine the head side below the Queen's portrait for the missing 'two pounds' text. For the Shakespeare coin, spin it and check the engraved lettering on its edge.
If you believe you have found one of these rare error coins, it is advisable to get it professionally verified by a reputable coin dealer or numismatic expert. Selling through a specialist auction house is often the best way to achieve its full market value.
This alert serves as a timely reminder that significant treasure can be hiding in plain sight, waiting to be discovered in a pocket or piggy bank. So, the next time you receive £2 in change, take a moment to give it a closer look.
