Brits are urged to check for the rare coin (Image: Getty)

Rare 20p coin could be 300 times more valuable as Brits urged to check spare change

A specific missing detail on some 20p coins can make them worth a lot more than their face value - so you might want to check your loose change.

27 Aug 2024, 11:49 by Tasha Hall, https://www.facebook.com/tashahallnews · Daily Record

A minor detail missing from certain 20p coins could make it worth 300 times its face value, as Brits are urged to check their spare change.

A manufacturing error by the Royal Mint in 2008 resulted in around 250,000 coins being printed with this unique error - they were undated.

This made them the first undated British coins to enter circulation in over three hundred years. This occurred due to a change in coin design in 2008.

Previously, the date had been on either side of the Tudor rose design on the old 'tales' (reverse) side. However, when this was replaced by the new shield design, the date was moved to be on the 'heads' (obverse) side instead.

These undated coins were produced when the old 'heads' design was combined with the new 'tails' design. These coins are therefore known as mules - coins featuring designs not normally seen together on the same coin.

It's always worth checking your spare change (Image: Getty Images)

The rarity of these mules means that they are sought after by many coin collectors, as well as other people just interested in them as a curiosity. As a result, two of these coins were sold for £122 in August following seven bids, The Sun reports.

Expensive as this may seem, it may actually have been a bargain. The Britannica Coin Company website lists a single such mule as being for sale for £100.

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This is far from the only rare coin to be worth much more than its face value would suggest. A commemorative £2 coin celebrating the 2002 Commonwealth Games sells for up to £52.

This week has brought more thrilling news for numismatists (coin collectors or scholars). The first £1 coins featuring King Charles III have recently been introduced into circulation. Close to three million of these new coins will be distributed to banks and post offices nationwide within the week.

Rare 20p coin could be 300 times more valuable as Brits urged to check spare change

A specific missing detail on some 20p coins can make them worth a lot more than their face value - so you might want to check your loose change.

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