A rare 2008 coin has been revealed that could be worth a small fortune

A rare coin expert has sent collectors into a frenzy by revealing that a certain 20p piece could in fact be worth a small fortune.

A rare coin expert has sent collectors into a frenzy by revealing that a certain 20p piece could in fact be worth a small fortune.

In his latest video, TikTok's Coin Collecting Wizard urged his followers to "stop spending 20p coins", instead checking them first thoroughly to determine if they have one that is highly sought after.

"One from 2008 with no date is worth £60," the expert began. "Normally, the date on the 20p is on the reverse right under the crown, but in 2008 something strange happened."

Coin Collecting Wizard went on to explain that in that year, a small number of 20p coins were minted with a new obverse. It is the now commonly seen shield design, which has taken over from the previous Tudor rose design.

However, in 2008, that new obverse was mistakenly paired with the original bust side, meaning some coins were minted without a date on either side.

"This is what we call a mule error, when mismatched dyes are used - and this one slipped into circulation without anyone noticing," the expert explained. "Normally, 20p coins have the date on the back, but if you check and there's no date on either side then you might be holding the rare one.

"These 20p coins 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 - so if you pay with cash, check every 20p."

He closed by advising that only 50,000 of these coins made it into circulation, which may sound like a lot, but is a "drop in the ocean" for UK coinage.

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More signs your coin could be valuable

1. Mint errors: Look for coins with minting mistakes, such as doubles dies (designs appearing twice), off-centre strikes, blank planchets, or overstrikes. These errors often make coins highly sought after by collectors.

2. Misprints: Coins with misspelled words, dates, or other irregularities.

3. Time: Older coins, particularly those issued centuries ago, can be rare, but not all old coins are valuable. Rare historical coins, especially from limited production runs or old empires, may be worth more.

4. Historic significance: Coins tied to significant events or periods, such as certain monarchs’ reigns, can also hold value.

5. Limited production: Coins with a small number of copies minted or those that were only issued for a short period are typically more valuable.

6. Rareness of year: Certain years are more valuable than others, especially if fewer coins were struck that year.