A rare 2p coin from 1983, notable for bearing an incorrect 'New Pence' inscription, has sold for £1,150 at auction. The sale, conducted by auctioneers Noonans, demonstrates the significant premium collectors place on minting errors.
The coin's value stems from a design anomaly. In 1982, the Royal Mint updated the wording on decimal coins from 'New Pence' to simply 'Pence'. However, a small number of 1983-dated 2p coins were mistakenly struck using old dies, retaining the outdated 'New Pence' legend.
While not all such error coins command four-figure sums, their value is determined by condition and rarity. The £1,150 sale price reflects the coin's excellent state of preservation. Specialists advise checking old change carefully, as other rare dates and errors, like the undated 20p from 2008 or the 'Kew Gardens' 50p, can also be valuable.
For those who find a potentially valuable coin, professional evaluation from a reputable auction house or coin dealer is recommended to authenticate the find and assess its true market worth.
