A coin expert is urging Britons to examine their change for a rare 1983 two-pence coin that could be worth more than £1,000. The coin, which remains legal tender, features a minting error on its reverse side: the inscription 'new pence' instead of the standard 'two pence'.
According to the Coin Collecting Wizard, a TikTok coin specialist, the 1983 'new pence' 2p coin is 'one of the rarest decimal coins ever struck'. The Royal Mint had changed the reverse legend from 'new pence' to 'two pence' in 1982, but a small number of 1983 coins were accidentally struck with the old wording.
These coins were not intended for general circulation but were included in special collector sets, making them extremely scarce. The expert warned that only coins dated 1983 with 'new pence' are valuable; other years or inscriptions do not carry the same premium.
The Royal Mint confirmed that a small number of 1983 2p coins were mistakenly struck with 'new pence' and produced to brilliant uncirculated quality. While the Mint cannot comment on individual values, it advises consulting a coin dealer for appraisal.
