The coin, which has gone under the hammer in Royal Wootton Bassett, was first found among loose change in a piggy bank

The coin, which has gone under the hammer in Royal Wootton Bassett, was first found among loose change in a piggy bank

A 2p coin which was part of the original Isle of Man 10p 'trial coins' set has sold for a whopping £750 at an auction in Royal Wootton Bassett.

A 2p coin which was part of the original Isle of Man 10p 'trial coins' set has sold for a whopping £750 at an auction in Royal Wootton Bassett.

The coin, which went under the hammer at RWB Auctions on Tuesday, April 23, was first found among loose change in a piggy bank in the late 1990s.

The coin, which went under the hammer at RWB Auctions on Tuesday, April 23, was first found among loose change in a piggy bank in the late 1990s.

The owner noticed that the coin was unusual as it was silver colour unlike the standard bronze, but kept it as a curiosity until they noticed a similar coin go up for auction in 2025.

The owner noticed that the coin was unusual as it was silver colour unlike the standard bronze, but kept it as a curiosity until they noticed a similar coin go up for auction in 2025.

The seller then got in touch with RWB Auctions, where experts predicted it could be worth £300-400.

The seller then got in touch with RWB Auctions, where experts predicted it could be worth £300-400.

But the actual worth of the coin shocked even the most senior members of the auction house.

But the actual worth of the coin shocked even the most senior members of the auction house.

Testing has confirmed that the coin was mistakenly made from cupronickel - the same alloy used for 5ps and 10ps.

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.

It's also believed that several more like this are still out there.

The 2p worth hundreds is a silver colour, instead of the standard bronze (Image: RWB Auctions) "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," said coin expert and YouTuber Christopher Collects, who works with RWB Auctions.

The 2p worth hundreds is a silver colour, instead of the standard bronze (Image: RWB Auctions) "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," said coin expert and YouTuber Christopher Collects, who works with RWB Auctions.

Other coins which shocked auctioneers in the sale due to their higher-than-expected value, include a set of rare Isle of Man 10p 'trial coins'.

Other coins which shocked auctioneers in the sale due to their higher-than-expected value, include a set of rare Isle of Man 10p 'trial coins'.

The coins were hailed by experts at Britannia Coin Company in Royal Wootton Bassett as "extremely rare".

The coins were hailed by experts at Britannia Coin Company in Royal Wootton Bassett as "extremely rare".

The last time a set of Isle of Man 10p trial coins appeared at auction in the UK was in July 2021 - so it's not something that happens every day.

The last time a set of Isle of Man 10p trial coins appeared at auction in the UK was in July 2021 - so it's not something that happens every day.

The 10p coins were first created for trial and calibration purposes before the Isle of Man made adjustments to the design and size to align it with the UK's decimal currency, and only 200 of them were ever made.

The 10p coins were first created for trial and calibration purposes before the Isle of Man made adjustments to the design and size to align it with the UK's decimal currency, and only 200 of them were ever made.

The coins were predicted to sell for £100-200, but actually fetched £340.

The coins were predicted to sell for £100-200, but actually fetched £340.

Auctioneer Gareth Wasp, from RWB Auctions, has appeared multiple times on Bargain Hunt. (Image: BBC) Kimberly Day, a coin expert at the Britannia Coin Company based in Royal Wootton Bassett, said: “With only around 200 of these rare ‘AA’ 1992 10p trial coins ever struck, they are incredibly scarce.

Auctioneer Gareth Wasp, from RWB Auctions, has appeared multiple times on Bargain Hunt. (Image: BBC) Kimberly Day, a coin expert at the Britannia Coin Company based in Royal Wootton Bassett, said: “With only around 200 of these rare ‘AA’ 1992 10p trial coins ever struck, they are incredibly scarce.

"We were thrilled to offer these coins at auction, as they represent a true treasure for collectors."

"We were thrilled to offer these coins at auction, as they represent a true treasure for collectors."

Auctioneers at the popular auction house in Old Town are now encouraging local coin collectors to keep checking their change, as they hope more rarities will go under the hammer in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Auctioneers at the popular auction house in Old Town are now encouraging local coin collectors to keep checking their change, as they hope more rarities will go under the hammer in Royal Wootton Bassett.