News Beat
Rare Royal Mint 20p error coin sells for 76 times face value
The coin – which dates back to 2006 – was sold for £15.36 on eBay last week.
Featuring Queen Elizabeth on the front and the Tudor Rose on the reverse, the 20p piece was minted with a rare error.
The coin features a split rim, with a clear split effect around the edge where the layers of metal that make up the coin appear misaligned.
This is thought to have happened due to a possible misalignment when the coin was being made.
The listing description describes the coin as ‘rare’, with the error making its value skyrocket.
The listing reads: “This listing is for a genuine 2006 UK 20 pence coin featuring Queen Elizabeth (obverse) and the Tudor Rose (reverse).
“This coin shows a rare minting error on the rim/edge.
“The coin appears to have a planchet flaw or collar strike error, with a clear split or step effect around the rim where the layers of metal appear misaligned.
“This is not post-mint damage – the design remains sharp, and the mis-strike is visible around the circumference.”
One keen collector bought the coin after bidding £15.36 plus £9.25 postage to snap up the 20p piece on Tuesday [December 16].
That means the coin was sold for more than 76 times its shop value and will be sure to have Brits checking their change for the same error.
First issued in 1982, the 20p is one of the UK’s newest circulating denominations.
Since then, there have been several different variations of the coin.
In 1998, the 20p was updated to feature Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth, while the reverse of the coin depicts a crowned Tudor double rose in a design by William Gardner.
Gardner’s reverse design featured on the 20p until 2008 when it was replaced by the definitive ‘shield’ design that currently appears on UK coins up to the value of 50p, alongside Jody Clark’s coinage portrait of The Queen.
