WHAT could be mistaken as pocket change might actually be worth a whopping £130k.

These three rare coins are a collectors dream and might be hiding down the back of your sofa.

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Coin Collector UK is a rare coin guru who has put together a list of the three pieces of change that would upgrade your entire life.

In one of his TikTok videos he said: “You can take an early retirement if you find these coins.”

The 1933 penny coin

The first of the three is the highly sought after 1933 penny coin in which collectors are desperate to get their hands on.

He added: “One of these old pennies sold at auction for £127,000.

“The year you need to find is 1933 – less than 10 of these were ever produced.

“These are worth huge money with one selling for well over £100,000 pounds and another for about £86,000.”

While there are other dates to look out for, there are only seven 1933 coins known to exist.

It was once for a staggering £140k and the collector predicts the next one to be found could be sold for even more.

You would be able to trade it for a supercar if you manage to spot one of these coins.

The Olympic Aquatics coin

The next rare find is the The Olympic Aquatics coin which can reach up to £2,000 due to its printing error.

There are thought to be 600 pieces of these 50p coins misprinted in 2011 ahead of the London celebrations with each being worth more than just a pretty penny.

These coins were printed with lines, mimicking water ripples, over the swimmers‘ head whereas her face was originally designed to be more visible.

The image was quickly changed when the Royal Mint modified the design, leaving only a few of these original coins in circulation.

This slight distortion has collectors battling over the limited edition piece, with one of the highest bidder spending £3,766 to take the precious coin home.

The Lord Kitchener £2 coin

The final one is the most recently printed coin and its details are what makes so valuable.

It is a £2 coin from 2014 featuring Lord Kitchener – a British military leader.

He is easily recognised pointing in the military recruitment posters stating “Your country needs you.”

These coins can fetch up £800 – but only if it has this specific printing error.

Only a few of these have been found and one TikTok user called @thecoincollectoruk revealed what to look for.

In a TikTok video he stated: “If you find this £2 coin check it for an extremely rare error.

“The coin must lack the inscription “two pounds” on the Queen’s side, otherwise it’s just a regular £2 coin.”

Apparently there are over 5,700,000 of the regular £2 but only a handful of the misprinted ones.

What are the most rare and valuable coins?

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HE is on a mission to help our pets  . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.

Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years.

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He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”

Q) MY children Emma and Lila want some pet rats, and are aged seven and eight. Is that too young?

LIZZIE HORTON, Reading, Berks

Sean says: Borderline in age, I would say, so it depends on their level of enthusiasm, responsibility and ability to gently care for their pets.

Rats make the most fantastic pets, being very intelligent, clean and just so interactive.

Your girls can even teach them tricks.

They are the pet dogs of the rodent world, for sure. Maybe find someone locally who has a pet rat then go and handle it and learn more about its care.

You’ll have a better idea then if your girls are ready for this.

But good luck saying no to them after they fall in love with the idea of a pet rat.

Q) MY dog has really bad allergies. Vera is a Dalmation and gets so bothered by her constant itches.

It affects her paws and stomach and is awful.

We use Apoquel and Piriton but they are both so expensive. Could I use any other over-the-counter antihistamine, do you think? 

BEN THOMAS, Crawley

Sean says: Sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, antihistamines don’t always work very well with dogs — some are better than others and it depends on the individual dog. 

Some over-the-counter options may have only a mild effect on itchiness, and some human antihistamines are dangerous for your dog.

Please speak with your vet about your options here, being honest that you are finding it hard financially to keep on top of Vera’s medication bill.

We can usually offer alternatives.

But bear in mind that itchy dogs can be just as frustrating for us vets, to get to the bottom of.

It’s not always a quick fix. Sometimes it can be best in the long run to try to find out what a dog is allergic to, and try to reduce or at least minimise exposure if at all possible.

Q) I WORRY that my cat doesn’t drink enough.

Pepper has had a couple of urinary infections in the past year. Do you think it’s worth trying running water rather than a bowl?

MIA EDWARDS, Bromley

Sean says: Yes, for cats that have a history of kidney or bladder issues, and those that don’t drink much, it’s always a good idea to invest in a cat water fountain.

Cats are funny creatures in their drinking habits sometimes, but running water does encourage them to keep up their water intake and support healthy kidney function.

Getting some wet food into Pepper’s diet will also help to improve her hydration situation.

Q) HOW do you know what sex your tortoise is?

I have an 80-year-old who we thought was a male. Then a vet surprised us and said they think it’s a female.

We don’t know for sure. Is there a definitive way of telling the sex of a tortoise? Ours is called Speedy. 

KAREN HARRIS, Sudbury, Suffolk

Sean says: It depends a little bit on species, as there is so much variation.

But the general rule is that males have a longer tail, which is thicker at the base for housing their “equipment”, whereas females have a shorter, thinner tail.

Males also often have a concave plastron, which is the underside of the shell. The female’s plastron, or belly, is flat.

The concave or curved plastron in male tortoises allows them to fit more comfortably on top of the female when they are having “adult tortoise piggy back rides”, if you catch my drift.

Star of the week

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MINIATURE dachshund Pip may have been a pocket-sized pooch – but also gave a gigantic amount of love until he died last week.

Adored by Romy Turnbull, 11, her younger brother George, 6, and mum Helen, the 13-year-old pup filled their lives with joy.

Pip had a huge character and when he wasn’t chasing balls while on walks with Romy he loved devouring his favourite treat of chicken.

He was even allowed to sleep on Romy’s bed at night.

Their father Dominic, from Hertfordshire, said: “Pip was adored by Romy and George, and he was a mischievous fixture of family life from his arrival as a tiny, fearful pup.

“Farewell loyal friend – and thank you for a full life and the love you brought to us all.”

WIN: Session with pet behaviourist

 WANT a happier, stress-free life with your cat?

Win three hours of online support with behaviourist Lisa Sinnott, from St Claws Academy, worth £375.

You  get tailored advice and six months of follow-up support, and just need a referral from your vet.

To enter, email CAT to sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk by Oct  20. See stclawsacademy.co.uk.

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Terms and conditions apply.

It’s good to talk… and walk the dog

WE’RE a nation of dog borrowers, according to a study which says one in eight of us take other people’s mutts for walkies.

More and more non-owners beg pals for a mood-boosting loan of man’s best friend, says pet-sitting and walking service Rover.com.

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Dog ownership has gone from around 11 million to 13 million in the last four years.

A Rover.com spokesman says: “Our research showed that the mental health of dog owners was much improved after getting a dog.

“It can help us stay active, eases loneliness and gives us a reason to smile and laugh every day.

“But those who don’t have their own dog are still finding ways to enjoy the benefits, with 49 per cent saying just being around dogs – even if not their own – improves their mood.”

Claire Bowman, 33, of Tonbridge, Kent is desperate for a dog and her landlord won’t allow it.

But nurse Claire says: “I take my friend’s sausage dog Chucky out for a walk twice a week.

“As soon as I see him, he runs over to me and starts licking me, so I’m smiling from the moment I see him until I hand him back.”

A THIRD of British businesses are working on “exit plans” ahead of the October Budget’s rumoured tax shakeup, a survey of executives have found.

Bosses are “fast-tracking” their preparations to try and reduce the impact of a “painful” rate hike.

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves will rise to the dispatch box on October 30, seeking to fill what ministers have called a £22 billion “black hole” in the books.

Labour has repeatedly promised not to increase the main rates of income tax, national insurance and VAT and has limited any rises in corporation tax to no higher than 25%.

As a result, ministers are looking around for other ways to raise the cash necessary to plug the “black hole”.

It has been rumoured that Ms Reeves could seek to equalise capital gains tax (CGT) with income tax as part of the Treasury’s efforts to right the financial ship,

This could see businesses handing as much as 45% of their profits in capital transactions to the Exchequer.

The rate is currently just 10% for most deals, rising to 18% on the sale of residential property.

Senior Labour figures have long pushed for equalisation, arguing that capital gains are just like any other form of income and should be taxed accordingly.

But critics maintain that such a move would disincentivise investment, drive down productivity and put the handbrake on economic growth.

A new study from wealth management company Evelyn Partners suggests that almost a third of entrepreneurs in the UK are now working on “exit plans” – up 6% from 18 months ago.

This would involve businesses selling off as many assets as possible before the Budget in order to benefit from the lower rate before the tax is potentially hiked.

Around a quarter of those asked said they had accelerated their plans to pull out of solid assets thanks to worries over CGT.

And a fifth said they had done the same due to concerns of potential cuts to inheritance tax relief.

Laura Hayward, of Evelyn Partners, said: “As opinion polls increasingly suggested a change in government and the consequential potential for tax changes was becoming more likely, an increasing number of business owners have got in touch with us to have conversations about business exits.

“The business environment for many owners has already been tough enough in recent years as they have worked hard to rebuild their businesses after the pandemic, against a backdrop of cost-of-living pressures and high inflation.

“Add to that the potential for unfavourable tax changes in the upcoming Budget and it’s completely understandable that some are hoping to realise the gains of their successes sooner rather than later.”

It comes after The Sun exclusively revealed that Ms Reeve’s top aide had hinted at higher eco-taxes being announced in the Budget.

There was also public outcry over the expected decision to reverse a 2022 cut in fuel duty, despite the Government’s pledge not to raise taxes on “working people”.

THE energy is high as my fellow party-goers, dressed in blinging club gear, and with their faces covered in glitter, fling their hands towards the sky.

Club classics are echoing around the room while powerhouse singers belt out melodies and podium dancers twist their bodies in time to the music.

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This could easily be a thumping club night in Ibiza, but instead of heavy beats in a warehouse, we’re listening to club tunes played by stringed instruments and saxophones in a countryside setting.

I’m at Warner Leisure’s Heythrop Park for an Ibiza Sunsets break that proves you really don’t need to fork out on flights to the White Isle to party like you’re there.

For this weekend, the Oxfordshire countryside retreat was hosting DJ sets from dance aficionados Dave Pearce and Vernon Kay, reimagined anthems from 16-piece orchestra Ibiza In Symphony, and even an old-school neon party, complete with glow sticks.

Heythrop Park, a Grade II-listed former stately home, is more reminiscent of Downton Abbey than the super-clubs of San Antonio.

Although the musical welcome from a saxophonist immediately conjured up memories of the party island.

I was staying in a spacious superior room with large windows offering amazing views of the parkland and countryside setting — a little different to the seaside surroundings of many Ibiza hotels.

A more typical Warner weekend is usually itinerary-led and packed with activities, but an Ibiza Sunsets break is a more chilled affair.

There is evening entertainment spread across the three-day weekend, including DJ sets inspired by legendary San Antonio nightspot Cafe Mambo.

But the rest of the time can be spent at leisure, taking advantage of activities such as archery and clay pigeon shooting or yoga.

The first day involved a peaceful stroll around the grounds where I stumbled across a silent disco in full swing in the beach club-like Moroccan Garden.

We were ushered to join in with the stomping feet, but it turned out to be just as much fun watching the crowd quietly cutting some shapes.

With all that partying, there’s bound to be a few sore feet — and heads — so when you’re not swaying to melodies, you can fill your time with a visit to the onsite spa.

I opted for a dip in the pool and a sauna for as long as I could withstand the heat, before heading to the outside hot tubs.

Unusually for British summer time, the weather was glorious when I visited.

And without a cloud in the sky, I could almost believe I was in the Balearics.

For those in need of real TLC, optional extras at the spa include facials, mud wraps and reflexology treatments.

Stomping feet

I’d booked in for a Drift Away full-body massage which certainly eased my aching limbs and put me into a zen-like state.

Ibiza Sunsets packages include breakfasts and three-course dinners, so you will never go hungry.

The hotel’s poshest restaurant, Brasserie 32, serves refined pub fare including fish pies, beef short rib and risottos.

Or there’s the Market Kitchen, a buffet-style restaurant in the pretty orangery.

I ate there on my final evening and was serenaded by a flamenco guitarist.

Outside of the main restaurants, visitors can party the nights away in the Late Lounge bar which got everyone on their feet dancing to anthems during my stay.

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If you prefer a more cosy atmosphere, the resort’s pub, The Travelling Duke, serves spirits, ales and ciders as well as steaks, and fish and chip dinners.

With the sun still beating down, it seemed rude not to have a drink outside on the terrace where a DJ was playing chilled Ibiza sounds that channelled the energy of the famous sunset sessions at Cafe Del Mar.

Then it was time for the final evening event — the one we had all been waiting for — as celebrated dance DJs Dave and Vernon took to the decks to transport us back 30 years to the Nineties.

And they certainly didn’t disappoint!

The Late Lounge erupted to the exhilarating sounds of Robert Miles, Darude, Faithless and many more, amid an atmosphere that could only be described as electric.

I couldn’t have been more grateful for my ultra-comfy bed at the end of the night.

Partying that hard in your fifties can be exhausting, but not when you have access to Heythrop’s plush facilities.

I could get used to this.

IT is the world’s largest fashion retailer, which has been endorsed by Khloe Kardashian and Katy Perry.

Chinese online juggernaut Shein launched 12 years ago, yet it is tipped for a historic and controversial £50billion float on the London Stock Exchange as early as this autumn — the biggest in more than a decade.

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Britain’s addiction to the ultra-low cost clothing means an estimated 520,000 items are shipped a day to Brits.

Today a Sun on Sunday probe reveals how Shein, which had sales of £1.55billion in 2023 yet operates with just 33 staff in its UK arm, has been accused of exploiting a tax loophole.

According to latest figures from Companies House, the fashion giant’s pre-tax profits doubled year on year to £24.2million and it paid £5.7million in taxes, up from £2.3million the previous year.

Now rivals have slammed Shein for using “unfair” tactics to keep its prices at rock bottom, while being able to fork out on glossy adverts around the country and on the London Tube network, which carries five million passengers a day.

Shein uses the so-called “de minimis” rule, which allows shipments of less than £135 to be exempt from import duties.

Last night, one chief executive told the Sun on Sunday that the loophole was “a wheeze that saves Shein millions of pounds”.

He said: “It’s an unfair playing field — of course it is. We all have to pay duties to ship clothes to customers here. But because their shipments are individually packed, they don’t?

“At a time when the Government can’t stop talking about this £22billion hole it needs to plug, why doesn’t Chancellor Rachel Reeves go after some of these big players that are obviously not paying the right amount of tax and duties?”

Superdry founder and CEO Julian Dunkerton has previously said it would be in the UK’s interests to get rid of the loophole.

Boohoo CEO John Lyttle has also urged the Government to close it.

Last month, US President Joe Biden announced he was closing a similar loophole, which allowed imports of individual packages of up to £600, ramping up pressure for change in the UK too.

Tax expert Dan Neidle says that Shein is avoiding tax of eight per cent on footwear and 12 per cent on clothing.

This amounts to an average saving of ten per cent — as much as £155million — that the company does not have to pay in tax.

Chinese company Super Smart Service processes Shein’s UK orders, with clothes costing on average £7.90, along with other companies including Amazon and eBay from a warehouse in Cannock, Staffordshire.

Super Smart Service’s turnover has more than doubled from £23.4million in 2020 to £56million in 2023 — and its profits have also doubled from £3.5million to £7.3million over the same period.

By using this third-party logistics partner, Shein can ship directly to customers in the UK.

Multi-billionaire

It also means items are not held as stock in warehouses here, which avoids storage costs — driving down prices even further.

The company, which has switched its headquarters to Singapore to reduce the Chinese government’s influence, is only considering listing in the UK after it was told it was not welcome on the New York stock exchange.

Shein has offices in Westminster, in a building that was once the headquarters of MI6.

There is also an office in ­Manchester — the same city that is home to rivals Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing as well as Missguided, which Shein acquired last year.

Shein was founded in 2012 by Sky Xu, also known as Xu Yangtian, who is already a multi-billionaire at the age of 40.

The mysterious boss, who largely keeps a low profile, reportedly flies so under the radar that employees joke they do not recognise him at the office.

At a time when the Government can’t stop talking about this £22billion hole it needs to plug, why doesn’t Chancellor Rachel Reeves go after some of these big players that are obviously not paying the right amount of tax and duties?

Sun source

He was born in Zibo, a manufacturing city in China’s Shandong province, where his parents were workers in state-owned factories.

He went on to study international trade at Qingdao University of Science and Technology.

One person who worked with him described him as bespectacled, “shy” and a lover of golf.

He shook up the supply process by ditching the traditional method of exporting abroad.

The company, which staged celebrity-packed fundraising virtual festivals during Covid, has tech wizards who use complex algorithms to scour trends from Google, social media and online shoppers to work out what will be a fashion hit.

Clothes are then made in hundreds of factories in Panyu, a district in Guangzhou, southern China, which the retailer dominates so much the hub is called Shein Village.

Around 80 per cent of the 7,000 factories in the town work for Shein. Restaurants now serve dishes from all over China to armies of migrant workers.

The company’s own website claims it has 10,000 employees worldwide and sells to over 150 countries.

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Instead of making large long-term orders with factories, Shein uses “low-batch ordering,” which means it will get a factory to make 100 items and only increase volumes if it sells well.

The Chinese goods are shipped to Guangzhou Airport using low-cost postal service China Post and sent to the Midlands.

Initially, factories did not want to work with the online retailer.

But when a ­product goes viral they can hit the jackpot by churning out hundreds of thousands of the same piece.

One factory manager said: “When Shein first arrived, no one wanted to work with them because the orders were too small. By 2020, everyone was working with Shein because their orders were so big.”

Its own website says “customers will receive orders via our UK Courier partners and not need to deal with any custom affairs”.

When Shein first arrived, no one wanted to work with them because the orders were too small. By 2020, everyone was working with Shein because their orders were so big

Factory manager

As well as the tax loophole, Shein has faced controversies including accusations by Stop Uyghur Genocide, which claims there is forced labour in its supply chain. The charity says Shein should be barred from listing on the London Stock Exchange.

In its 2023 Sustainability and Social Impact Report, Shein admitted two cases of child labour and temporarily suspended orders from the suppliers involved. It did not resume business until the suppliers tackled the issue.

It also admitted its carbon emmisions increased by 81 per cent between 2022 and 2023. Shein insisted it has a “zero tolerance” approach to worker mistreatment.

Liam Byrne, chairman of the Business and Trade committee, said: “We can’t allow British business and consumers to be undercut or cheated in a race to the bottom on standards, especially when there are questions about whether forced labour is being used.

“That’s why I’d like to see our new government make good on the promise made, but never delivered, by Conservatives in the 2022 Queen’s Speech, to strengthen the modern slavery act and toughen up requirements on supply chain reporting.”

Alice Price, of GlobalData, said Shein’s low-cost model and response to demand meant it can steal customers from British firms.

She said: “Shein’s burgeoning influence over the UK market is attributed to its unbeatable prices, and its rapid ability to churn out the latest micro trends on a colossal scale. This has allowed it to become a firm favourite among younger shoppers, and steal share away from other online specialists like ASOS and boohoo.com.”

Shein has previously said it complies fully with all its UK tax liabilities.

The company told the Sun on Sunday: “Shein’s success comes from our ability to produce fashionable products. We keep prices affordable through our on-demand business model and flexible supply chain. This reduces inefficiency, takes out wastage of material, and lowers our unsold inventory.

“We pass this advantage to our customers and this has driven our success around the world, not the exemptions that retailers receive under current tax regimes. We will work with policy makers and industry peers to review frameworks.”

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HOME Bargains shoppers are racing to the store to get their hands on this family-friendly Christmas stocking filler.

For a single coin you could grab this creative collection that will keep the kids entertained for hours.

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The Grinchmas Activity Pack includes a colouring book, activity book, write-your-own-story book, stickers and mini coloured pencils.

This bountiful bundle is on the shelves for only £1.99.

With of the activity booklets stating they contain over 30 pages each, it’s difficult to agree with the infamous antihero about hating Christmas.

The deal has has had savvy shoppers taking to social media to share the bargain with friends and posting it on saver pages.

Amongst the comments, one user tagged her friend in the post and wrote: “If you see these can you grab one?”

It’s no wonder because the exact same activity pack is for sale on eBay for £9.50 – nearly five times the price.

Even at notoriously low-priced discount store The Works, activity packs are still marked around a five to ten pounds.

With the price of Fineliners being sold at a whopping £16.50 at Tesco and coloured Sharpies marked at an eye-watering £20 at Argos, if you want to get creative perhaps Home Bargains is your best bet.

For those keen to get in the Grinchmas spirit, the activity pack isn’t the only deal that will make you green with envy.

If you want to set a Christmas day precedent, you can grab a Grinch themed doormat for £2.49 stating “I’m only here for the presents!”

You can also grab a Grinch Gingerbread Mug Hugger for £1.79 to pep up your Christmas latte.

If you’re a Grinch superfan, on the Home Bargain website there is a total of 47 Grinch-themed items ready to fill the stockings for the entire family.

These range from to The Grinch Snuggle cushion to The Grinch Dog Dental Treats

How to save money at Home Bargains

The key to nabbing the best deals at Home Bargains isn’t where to look but when.

If you manage to hit the right timing you can spot deals for as little at 69p.

Keeping an eye on the Home Bargains website will tell which offers are set to drop – like this year’s Halloween specials.

This type of seasonal stock is often offered at a reasonable price but especially afterwards.

Big price drops will happen after big public holidays like Easter and Christmas, so you can bag a bargain at a fraction of the price at these times.