An expert said it is worth “looking out for” a unique British coin worth a small fortune. If you find a proof penny from 1952 it could be worth a staggering £200,000.
Proof coins differ from those you would find in circulation as they are special early samples of a coin issue. They are also the highest quality of coin a mint produces.
This specific proof coin was issued just before King George VI died in 1952, making it even more valuable. An expert, known online as the Coin Collecting Wizard, took to social media platform TikTok to explain what to look for.
He told his followers: “£200,000 for this old penny. 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.” It wasn’t known that these pennies existed until one came to auction almost 30 years ago.
The expert continued: “The existence of this unique 1952 proof penny was not known publicly until its initial appearance at a numismatic [the study or collection of currency] auction 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.” It is a particularly unique coin, he said.
“The 1952 proof penny remains an enigma as the only unique proof striking of a pre-decimal penny of the 20th century,” he continued. “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 the sixth of February.”
He added: “A lovely example went up for auction recently and sold for £200,000. So it is 100 percent a coin to look out for.”