Britons Being Encouraged to Check Their Change After a Rare 20p Coin Minting Error Surfaces

Britons are being encouraged to re-examine their everyday change after a rare error in the production of a 20p coin has led to a surge in collector interest. By Emily G.

People in Britain are being encouraged to re-examine their everyday change after a rare error in the production of a 20p coin has led to a surge in collector interest.

The misprint, which dates back to 2008, has seen a small number of coins emerge from the Royal Mint without the usual date inscription. This oversight has become a point of intrigue in the numismatic world, while the coins themselves continue to appear in pockets and purses across the UK.

A minting error from 2008 has seen a British 20p coin surface in what is becoming an interesting year for coin collecting in the UK.

According to the Royal Mint, the anomaly occurred in 2008 during a transitional redesign of the coin, when the new reverse design featuring a portion of the Royal Shield was accidentally paired with the old obverse side bearing the Tudor rose.

As a result, a limited number of coins were released without a date on either side—an oversight known in numismatic terms as a ‘mule error.’

The minting institution specified that the issue affected fewer than 250,000 coins out of the 136 million 20p pieces minted between 2008 and 2009. Despite the error, these coins remain legal tender and are technically worth 20 pence.

However, their unusual nature has made them increasingly desirable among coin collectors. The value of an undated 20p coin in fair condition can now reach or exceed £60, depending on demand and condition.

One numismatic expert has been advising people to ‘stop spending your 20p coins and check them!'

The advice was recently shared by the Coin Collecting Wizard, who has been sharing his expertise on coins and banknotes with followers on social media.

Pointing out that the coin is still being discovered by members of the public in general circulation, the expert added: “Normally, 20p coins have the date on the back, but if you check and there’s no date on either side, you might be holding the rare one.”

While not considered extremely rare within professional numismatic circles, the undated 20p has become a point of interest due to its high volume and the ease with which it can be identified.

The slip-up occurred during a transition to a new coin design, which evidently bypassed any quality control measures at the time.

Those interested in verifying a coin’s authenticity are advised to consult with reputable dealers or professional valuation services for optimal assessment.