Expert shares how to spot one of UK's rarest coins worth over £100,000

There were only thought to be seven of these coins ever made, making them extremely sought after

An expert has shared how to spot one of the rarest coins in the UK, which is thought to be worth more than £100,000.

There were only thought to be seven of these coins ever made, making them extremely sought after.

The coin in question is a 1p coin dated 1933. It is triple dated and features Britannia on the reverse of the coin and King George V on the obverse.

The coin is so rare because the Royal Mint did not plan to make any pennies in 1933, and there were already plenty of coins around from previous years.

However, a small number of 1933 pennies were made by the Royal Mint following requests for a commemorative coin to mark a special event in 1933.

The exact number of 1933 pennies that were made is unknown, but it is thought to be no more than seven.

The Royal Mint's website states: “No record was kept at the time of how many pennies dated 1933 were made but it is thought to be no more than six or seven.

“With no precise record of the number made, and with the coin having been struck to ordinary circulation standard, it seemed possible that one might turn up in everyday use, prompting a generation to search their change for the rare but ultimately elusive penny of 1933.”

It is thought to be one of the most expensive and most sought-after coins in the UK. In 2016, one of the coins sold for an impressive £72,000 at a London auction.

But speaking on social media platform TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard, shared that he had “finally” found one of these coins on eBay.

The expert, who is followed by more than 167,000 people on the platform, went onto explain that the coin was currently up for sale for an eye-watering price of £120,000.

He explained: “Well, it has finally happened. A 1933 penny has appeared on eBay currently at £120,000. Have you ever heard about the 1933 penny?

“Generations of people searched through their change in the hope of finding one. Experts have always worked on the assumption that only seven such coins were minted, and if genuine, this one would be worth at least £100,000.

“By yesterday, bidding had reached a little over £90,000, while the owner listed as Suzanne X failed to respond to email requests for more information.”

His video was uploaded on May 7, and at the time of reporting, the listing on eBay seemed to have been removed.

The expert went onto explain how these coins came to be made. He added: “The Royal Mint had no plans to make any pennies in 1933 because there were already plenty around. However, a small number were produced following requests for a commemorative coin.

“Experts have always worked on the basis there were seven. Assuming the coin is genuine, the owner could be sitting on a life-changing amount.”

But he did issue a warning. “However, coin collectors are always wary that criminals might be trying to cash in by creating fakes.”