Some 20p coins worth £60 as expert urges Brits to "stop spending" them

re "possible to find," meaning anyone with change should get checking now

An expert has advised Brits to be attentive in checking their 20p coins, as some in circulation could fetch a remarkable £60.

These coins, dated 2008 and bearing a mule error, are valuable to collectors. The error occurs when mismatched dies are used, and in this instance, it slipped into circulation unnoticed.

Normally, the date on a 20p coin appears on the reverse side, typically below the crown. However, in 2008, a small number of 20p coins were minted with the new obverse—the shield side—combined with the old reverse Tudor rose, and neither side displayed a date.

An expert known online as the Coin Collecting Wizard explained: “Stop spending your 20p coins without checking them first because one from 2008 with no date is worth £60.

“Normally, the date on a 20p is on the reverse right under the crown. But in 2008, something strange happened.

A small number of 20ps were minted with a new obverse - the shield side paired with the old reverse Tudor rose but neither side has a date.

“This is what we call a mule error. When mismatched dies are used and this one slipped into circulation without anyone noticing.”

The good news is that these coins are “possible to find” despite being rare.

He continues: “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.

“These undated 20ps are rare but not impossible to find in average condition. They go for £60 plus. People are still finding them in their change even 15 years later.”

The Royal Mint states: “In November 2008, it came to light that a number of 20p coins had been incorrectly minted, resulting in the coins being undated.

"This problem affected less than 250,000 coins of the 136 million 20p pieces minted in 2008-09 and was due to the previous obverse (the ‘heads’ side) being used with the new reverse (the ‘tails’ side) design, meaning the year of issue did not feature at all.

“These coins remain legal tender and still have a face value of 20p.”