Gorilla £2 Coin Error Could Be Worth a Whopping £300 – Here's How to Spot It

If you've got some old coins gathering dust in the attic, it's probably time to give them an inspection. Specialists have now highlighted a specific £2 coin that could fetch a tidy sum.

People are being urged to check their attics for a specific £2 coin that could be worth a small fortune.

The coin in question is part of a batch minted in 2019 to mark the gorilla residents of Jersey Zoo, which have been there since the facility's opening year.

It features a close-up gold image of a gorilla and a message marking the 60th anniversary of the island's zoo.

Currently, a ‘standard’ version of this coin is listed on eBay for a hefty £119.99, which isn't out of the ordinary for these £2 coins, as they typically sell for around £100, according to the blogger.

However, if you manage to find an ‘error’ version of this coin, its value could skyrocket to a whopping ‘£300’.

"Some numpty dumpty managed to put a dye for the obverse of the 'Red Arrows' £2 (from the same year) in the machine by mistake, resulting in quite a few hybrid coins," the Great British Coin Hunt claims.

"As with all blunders in Coinworld, the 'Jersey Zoo Gorilla' with no denomination and the date only is a highly sought-after item. It also sells for between £200 and £300."

Gorillas became an integral part of Jersey Zoo's history when a five-year-old fell into the silverback enclosure almost 40 years ago.

This naturally caused alarm, but one gorilla named Jambo astounded spectators when he seemed to 'shield' the unconscious youngster from danger.

He not only kept other gorillas at bay but remained with the boy until medical help arrived.

This incident saw Jambo nicknamed the 'Gentle Giant', capturing the attention of animal fans all over the world.

Chris Yang, Co-founder of Coins Value, also told The Mirror in an exclusive interview: "I have seen numerous such coins in my career.

"In 2010, it was sold by one client to whom we sold it for £50, and we recently valued it at £300, a rise of 500% in over ten years, which displays how valuable the coin had been regarding desirability for collectors' purposes.

"The Jersey Zoo Gorilla coin is easy to identify. The obverse carries the Queen Elizabeth II portrait, while the reverse carries the image of the gorilla, where the details are given with richness.

"The coin is made from cupronickel, weighs 28.28 grams, and has a diameter of 38.61mm. These features help differentiate it from any counterfeit.

"The price depends on the condition. Uncirculated coins are sold at £400 and above. In contrast, circulated ones sell for anywhere between £150 to £300, depending on the level of toning, the amount of mint lustre, and how well the finer details have been preserved."

If you don't happen to have a gorilla coin, don't worry. There are plenty more coins worth searching your attic for.

For instance, just recently, one 1933 coin reportedly sold for a staggering £140,000 as just seven were known to exist in the world.

Chris Yang, Co-founder of Coins Value, previously told The Star: "In sum, scrutinise your coins, have them identified and graded professionally, and work with experienced numismatists to determine the real value of your coins so that you can sell them for the best price.

"Remember, the thrill of coin collecting isn't always about striking gold; it's about connecting with history and uncovering hidden treasures. Your old coin jar might hold more than just spare change – it could be a portal to a fascinating past.