Rare 2p coin which was found in a piggy bank could make hundreds, as expert predict it's worth 20,000 times its High Street value

The coin, which is going up for auction in Royal Wootton Bassett later this month, was first found among loose change in a piggy bank in the late 1990s.

A rare 2p coin which was found in a piggy bank could make hundreds, as expert predict it's 20,000 times its High Street value.,

The coin, which is going up for auction in Royal Wootton Bassett later this month, was first discovered among loose change in a piggy bank in the late 1990s.,

Its owner noticed that the coin was unusual and kept it as a curiosity until they noticed a similar coin being sold by auction in 2025.,

The seller then got in touch with RWB Auctions and was shocked to learn how much the 2p could be worth.,

Experts predict the 1985 coin, which is silver in colour, unlike most bronze 2ps, could sell for £400.,

Testing has confirmed that the coin was mistakenly made from cupronickel – the same alloy used for 5ps and 10ps. It's also believed that several more like this are still out there.,

The coin looks completely normal except for its silver colour (Image: RWB Auctions)

Coin expert and YouTuber Christopher Collects, who works with RWB Auctions, said: “We know that this is not a one-off, so there are likely similar coins out there, either put aside as a curiosity like this one or still circulating.

“When coins are made, a blank disc of metal is struck between two dies. If the wrong blank is fed into the machine, then the result is an error coin with a familiar design but made of the wrong metal.

“With modern quality control processes, most mistakes of this impacts are identified quickly but it is clear that a small number of error 2p coins were released into circulation in 1985.

“Just a few of these 1985 cupronickel 2ps have been identified over the years and they remain a scarce and exciting error, sought-after by collectors of very rare UK coins.”See also

To confirm the error, RWB Auctions submitted the coin to Numismatic Guaranty Company, a world-leading coin authentication service. NGC verified the metal mismatch and it is now listed in their global register of certified error coins.

The 2p will go under the hammer on Tuesday, April 23, at RWB Auctions near Swindon, and is expected to fetch over £400.

Bidders can take part in person or online via Easy Live Auction.

RWB Auctions has built a reputation for handling rare and unusual British coins, and previously sold a trial 25p piece for £1,700 in September 2024.

A 2014 Lord Kitchener £2 coin with a missing denomination also fetched £1,000 in February 2024.