Brits urged to look out for rare and valuable 2p coin hiding in their change that could be worth £1k

A coin expert has revealed the specific 2p coin from 1983 that is worth around £1,000 to collectors

A rare 2p coin that could be hiding in Brits' change is worth around £1,000 to collectors, an expert has revealed. However, it has to be from a specific date or it isn’t worth much.

The coin in question is a two pence coin from 1983. But unlike most 2p coins it features the words “new pence” instead of “two pence” on its tail side.

This is because the 2p piece was introduced at decimalisation in 1971 and were all branded the “new pence”. In 1982 this design was changed to feature the words “two pence”.

But some coins, from 1983, were struck with the words “new pence” by error. A coin expert, known online as the Coin Collector UK, told people what to look for.

He explained: “Since my last video many people have claimed to have had this rare coin but let me clarify the date you want to find. Right here I have four of the new pence 2p coins.

So is this worth £4,000? Unfortunately not because all of these were minted in tens of millions as they are not the 1983 version.

Loads of new pence ones were minted up until 1981 and the error version is only the 1983 one. This one was not meant to exist because they stopped being produced in 1981. Hence, why it's worth so much.

So now you know that only the 1983 version is the one worth £1,000. If you find any of the others they are extremely common and just worth 2p face value but are still a cool find as some of the earliest 2p coins.”

At the time of reporting, you can buy a 1983 2p coin as part of an uncirculated coin set from that year for £1,250 from the Britannia Coin Company.

On its website, the Royal Mint adds: “In 1983 a small number of 2p coins were mistakenly struck with the wording 'new pence' on the reverse. These coins were produced to brilliant uncirculated quality - a standard higher than ordinary circulating coins - and were included in special sets intended for collectors.

Since there are relatively few coins with the date 1983 and the inscription 'new pence' in circulation, they may well have a value higher than face value to a collector. The Royal Mint is, however, unable to comment on the value of any individual coin and we would recommend that you should consult a coin dealer.”