It’s time to rummage behind your sofas, under your beds and in your attics. A coin expert has sparked an online frenzy by spotlighting a rare English penny that could be worth up to ‘£200,000’.
The money enthusiast, dubbed as the CoinCollectingWizard, shared details about the so-called 1952 ‘proof one penny’, which bears the image of George VI. While you may assume it’s just like any other, it’s described as the ‘rarest proof penny’ in its series, leaving collectors utterly ‘astounded’.
“Jiminy Cricket – £200,000 for this old penny,” he said on TikTok. “This is a UK penny from 1952. This intriguing proof coin is the rarest proof penny of the entire series of copper and bronze pennies.
“The existence of this unique 1952 proof penny was not known publicly until its initial appearance at Numismatic Auctions in October of 1997 – some 45 years after it was struck. The British Numismatic world was astonished to see this coin appear and in proof quality as this was not known to exist.”
BullionByPost notes that proof pennies represent the pinnacle of minting quality, with only a limited number produced each year by institutions like The Royal Mint. This is owing to the intricate and time-consuming manufacturing process.
Expert craftsmanship involving hand-finished dyes and etching plays a vital role in the production of these coins, according to The Mirror. It meant it took ‘around an hour’ to create 50 proof coins.
London-based dealer Sovereign Rarities also gave insights into the rarity of the 1952 coin, revealing: “It is perhaps understandable that the George VI 1952 Proof Penny remains a unique piece, as the King died very early in 1952 passing away on 6 February.
“Only the smaller denominations of currency coins that were in great demand were struck for circulation in 1952, with the larger denominations omitted in anticipation of a new reign and a new coinage for Queen Elizabeth II.” The CoinCollectingWizard added: “A lovely example went up for auction recently and sold for £200,000, so it is 100% a coin to look out for.”
Even if you’re not in possession of a 1952 penny, there’s still hope. Incredibly, other valuable coins could be gathering dust in your attic.
For instance, just recently, one 1933 coin reportedly sold for a staggering £140,000 as just seven were known to exist in the world. Chris Yang, Co-founder of Coins Value, previously told The Star: “In sum, scrutinise your coins, have them identified and graded professionally, and work with experienced numismatists to determine the real value of your coins so that you can sell them for the best price.
“Remember, the thrill of coin collecting isn’t always about striking gold; it’s about connecting with history and uncovering hidden treasures. Your old coin jar might hold more than just spare change – it could be a portal to a fascinating past.”
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