The penny is one of the most sought after coins in the UK and shows Britannia holding a trident on one side
People have been urged to examine their change for an exceptionally scarce penny that could be worth a fortune. According to a specialist, this historical coin might fetch up to £130,000.
This penny, bearing the date 1933, is especially coveted because only around six or seven are believed to have been produced by the Royal Mint. The reverse side of this valuable penny displays Britannia holding a trident, whilst King George V’s image appears on the obverse.
In a clip shared on TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard said: “Are you ready to see the world’s most expensive penny? £130,000 if you find this, pay attention.
“The 1933 penny is one of the most famous and elusive coins in British numismatic history, often described as the ‘Holy Grail’ for collectors.”
As reported by the Daily Record, the expert said that this coin was never meant for public use. “It was never intended for general circulation as there was already a sufficient supply of pennies in use at the time, meaning only a handful were struck for ceremonial and archival purposes,” he said.
“Just a few examples are known to exist today, most placed in museums or church foundations, making them incredibly rare and valuable, with auction prices reaching well over £100,000.”
Nevertheless, there might be numerous counterfeit copies of the coin in circulation. “Because of its notoriety, countless fakes and altered date pennies have appeared over the years, so genuine examples are almost never found in the wild, so always pay attention to the detail,” he added.
“Your pre-decimal penny must be from 1933 and if you think you have one then you must get it verified as there are many fakes out there.”
According to Antiques Trade Gazette, one specimen of this coin fetched a remarkable £127,000 at auction in 2016. In reference to the coin, the Royal Mint website says: “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.”