Rare £2 error coin that could be worth up to £1,000 – how to spot in your change
A rare £2 coin could bag you a whopping £1,000 if you spot one simple detail.
A social media coin expert has revealed how a small minting error that could turn your spare change into a small fortune.
The TikToker, who goes by @thecoincollectingwizard, said: “Find this two pound coin and make £1,000."
The coin in question is the Lord Kitchener £2 coin from 2014.
It was released to commemorate the start of the First World War and features the famous “Your country needs you” Lord Kitchener poster design.
On a normal version of the coin, you’ll see the words “Two Pounds” just beneath Her Majesty’s profile.
Read more on rare coins
But some of these coins were struck without the £2 denomination on the head side, with the Queen’s portrait.
On the rare error version, known as a mule coin, this crucial detail is missing entirely.
According to the coin expert, only a handful of these faulty coins have been found, making them incredibly rare and highly sought-after.
He said: “Check it for a rare error worth a lot of money... Only a few of this error have ever been found and can be sold for over £1,000.”
Minting errors like this are extremely rare, and because so few are thought to exist, collectors are willing to pay top dollar.
“No one really knows how many of this mule error are out there,” the expert added.
“So it’s definitely worth checking.”
How to check if a coin is rare
A coin’s rarity is usually determined by its mintage figure, which is set by The Royal Mint.
The fewer coins that were produced, the rarer and more valuable they tend to be.
You can check the mintage of your coin on The Royal Mint’s official website.
Change Checker also advises checking whether the coin is available in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, as this may affect its value.
Minting errors, like the missing text on the Lord Kitchener £2 coin, can make a piece significantly more valuable.If you want to find out if your coin was made incorrectly, you can check out our list of rare coins here.
How can I check if my error coin is genuine?
RARE and valuable coins can go for a hefty sum - but how do you know if your coin is the result of a genuine minting error?
The best way to find out if you have an error coin is to send it to the Royal Mint museum, which will analyse it and see if it is a result of a genuine minting error or not.
It'll normally take a couple of weeks to get the results back to you.
But remember, there's a difference between a genuine error coin and one that is just imperfect, for example with a design that is not as clear as you'd expect.
And whatever you do, don't be tempted to splash your cash without evidence from the Mint confirming that it's a genuine error.
How to sell a rare coin
If you’re lucky enough to find one, there are a few ways to cash in.
The first and most common way would be to list it on eBay.
You can list your coin and check completed listings to get an idea of price.
But its worth bearing in mind, eBay takes a 10% cut including on postage.
Another online option is Facebook Marketplace or coin groups.
But be weary of scammers as they may try to nab your coin without paying.
If you're selling in person, always arrange to meet in public, well-lit places and use cash where possible to avoid dodgy transactions.
If you're unsure whether or not you've struck gold, you can also take your pennies to The Royal Mint Collector Services.
Read More on The Sun
They can authenticate and value your coin, though fees apply depending on your collection’s size.
So next time you get change back at the shop, take a second look you could be sitting on a coin worth 500 times its face value.
What are the most rare and valuable coins?
- Five rarest coins - do you have one?
- The 13 most valuable £2 coins in circulation
- How valuable are the rarest £1 coins?
- Most rare and valuable 50p coins in circulation
- Rare and most valuable 20p coins that could be worth up to £750
- Rarest 10p coins in circulation
- Rare 2p coins revealed
- How to check if you have a rare and valuable banknote