The Unusual Coin
The coin, which is set to go up for auction in Royal Wootton Bassett later this month, is unlike any other 2p coin in circulation. Its unusual colour and metal composition make it a highly sought-after collector’s item. •
- It was first found among loose change in a piggy bank in the late 1990s.
- The owner noticed the coin was unusual but kept it as a curiosity until they noticed a similar coin go up for auction in 2025.
The owner of the coin has reportedly been left in shock after learning the true value of the 2p. Experts predict that the coin could fetch a staggering £400.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Coin Type | 2p coin |
| Metal Composition | Cupronickel |
| Value | £400 – £500 |
“We know that this is not a one-off, so there are likely similar coins out there, either put aside as a curiosity like this one or still circulating,”
said Christopher Collects, a coin expert and YouTuber who works with RWB Auctions. According to Christopher, the coin was mistakenly made from cupronickel – the same alloy used for 5ps and 10ps. This error was not detected during the manufacturing process, and the coin was released into circulation. Testing has confirmed that the coin was indeed made from cupronickel.
The process of making coins involves striking a blank disc of metal between two dies. If the wrong blank is fed into the machine, the result is an error coin with a familiar design but made of the wrong metal. •
- Just a few of these 1985 cupronickel 2ps have been identified over the years and they remain a scarce and exciting error, sought-after by collectors of very rare UK coins.
- The error coins were released into circulation in 1985, and it is clear that a small number of mistakes were made during the manufacturing process.
RWB Auctions submitted the coin to Numismatic Guaranty Company, a world-leading coin authentication service, to confirm the error. NGC verified the metal mismatch and listed the coin in their global registry of certified error coins.
The 2p will go under the hammer on Tuesday, April 23, at RWB Auctions. Bidders can take part in person or online via Easy Live Auction. The coin is expected to fetch over £400. Some notable past auction results include the sale of a trial 25p piece for £1,700 in September 2024 and a 2014 Lord Kitchener £2 coin with a missing denomination that fetched £1,000 in February 2024.
