• [Dailystar Icon]
• News
• UK News
• Rare coin

Brits urged to check their change for rare penny with tiny fault worth 600

Brits have been urged to check their change to see if they have the valuable penny with an extremely tiny defect - just a small number are thought to be in circulation

[Young woman looking at jar full of coins]

The tiny fault on the penny could mean it's worth hundreds(Image: JamieB via Getty Images)

Brits are being encouraged to keep an eye out for a rare penny that could fetch up to 600 at auction. This particular bronze coin, which is highly prized by collectors, features a unique error.

Spotting the mistake might be a bit of a challenge, but it's certainly worth the effort. A coin enthusiast, known as Coin Collecting Wizard on TikTok, delved into the details.

In his video, he showcased an 1893 penny and said: "Hey no biggie, just another old penny worth 600. This penny has a date of 1893 and you need to check this one for a very strange error that makes the coin valuable."

The expert explained that the coin displays the classic Britannia design on its reverse side, with her holding her trident. The other side features the familiar 'bun head' image of Queen Victoria.

However, what increases its value is a peculiar mistake, reports the Liverpool Echo. The influencer said: "Known as the '1893 over two penny', what you need to pay close attention to is the number '3'.

"As you can see under the number three it looks like there is the start of a number two." In his video, he pointed out where the three in 1893 appears to have an extra line extending from its middle part.

[rare coin]

The 'three over two error' makes the already rare coin all the rarer (Image: https://www.tiktok.com/@coincollectingwizard)

"The best way to notice this is where the three joins up in the middle," he advised. According to the expert, the key to identifying the rare coin is to examine it closely.

He said: "If it doesn't look like they join up neatly then you have found it. The obverse of the coin is the usual Queen Victoria bun head and the reverse is Britannia seated holding a trident." He highlighted the significance of this error, stating: "This is such a difficult error to spot but it is well worth your time as uncirculated versions of this coin have sold for 600."

For those interested in searching for rare coins, he offered guidance: "So just remember you are looking for an old English penny from 1893 but that's only the first part. The next bit you need to look for is that 'three over two error'." To aid his audience, he suggested: "Save this for future reference so you know exactly what to look for. Good luck."

Despite being produced in large quantities, with over eight million made, the 1893 penny's value isn't solely due to its rare mistakes. Even standard examples of the coin are highly valued due to their age, with the Dorset Coin Company listing a pristine example at 275.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.