'check' for tiny error on £1 coin that could raise value to £2,500

An expert warned that spotting the error could be "particularly difficult" due to its size

An expert has warned that spotting a tiny error on a £1 coin could be "particularly difficult".

This is despite the fact that the coins could be worth an eye-watering £2,500 to collectors.

People have been urged to keep a close watch out for an ordinary-looking £1 coin that might just be worth an eye-watering £2,500 more due to a miniscule production error.

The sought-after £1 piece is from 2016, and is the newer 12-sided version.

This is in contrast to the older, round £1 coins, which are no longer valid tender but might still hold some value to coin collectors.

The Royal Mint produced over half a billion of such 12-sided coins in 2016 ahead of the transition in 2017.

But what shoots up the price for this particular coin is an almost imperceptible "2017" stamped on its tails side.

The date is so small that spotting it might prove to be a challenge.

In a recent illuminating post on TikTok, an aficionado known simply as the Coin Collecting Wizard, gave his keen viewers some crucial tips on how to identify this rarity.

He said: "This is a United Kingdom £1 coin and there is a rare dual dated error worth a lot of money.

"Here is what you need to look out for. You're looking for a 2016 obverse dated coin with 2017 micro-engraving on the reverse. You may need a microscope."

However, this coin expert went on to note that some lucky individuals have managed to sell these misprinted treasures for up to £2,500.

Elaborating further, he reported: "We understand that at least one example was sold for £2,500 to a buyer in Spain in 2017.

"The error is particularly difficult to spot due to the size of the micro engraving so be sure to keep an eye out for this one. It's worth checking any 2016 coins as it is one of the hardest errors to spot.

"Remember, you are looking for a 2016 obverse dated coin with 2017 micro-engraving on the reverse. So make sure to check all your 2016 £1 coins and make yourself some quick cash.

"This is such an easy error to miss because it is so small. Good luck."

Coin experts at Change Checker have validated this advice, asserting: "We understand that at least one example was sold for £2,500 to a buyer in Spain in 2017, which probably marks the likely ceiling for value. Probably more dual-dated £1 coins have been struck than the 2p coins.

"However, the error is particularly difficult to spot due to the size of the micro-engraving. Bearing all that in mind, our best value estimate for a dual-dated £1 Coin in excellent condition is currently £300 – £500."

A dual-error 2016 £1 coin had recently been listed on eBay for £1,500 at the time of reporting.