This rare coin is known as a ‘mule’ 20p as it has no date on either side – and it is thought there could be thousands more in circulation
A 20p coin has sold for an eye-watering £97 on eBay because of a massive error in its design.
This rare coin has no date printed on either side. It is known as a “mule” 20p and it is thought there could be thousands more in circulation. The error happened when the Royal Mint changed the design of 20p coins back in 2008, and the date was moved from the back to the front.
But in some cases, the old die was accidentally used – meaning some coins were released with no date on either side of the coin. The Royal Mint estimates up to 250,000 coins could have entered circulation, according to Change Checker.
One particular coin sold for £97, plus £3.35 postage, after attracting nine bids. The seller included the following description: “Royal Mint error resulted in an undated 20p coin from 2008. This coin is one I found myself in 2008 and kept in a box. This is why this coin has retained its natural shine compared to others on the market.”
If you’re planning on buying a coin, be aware of fakes being sold on eBay so you don’t get scammed out of money. You can get coins verified by the Royal Mint to check they’re the real deal. It is hard for the Royal Mint to say exactly how many error coins could be in circulation, as it manufactures between three million and four million coins a day. But mistakes do happen – so it’s worth keeping an eye out in your spare change for anything unusual.
It comes after Royal Mint announced a new collectable 50p coin to celebrate the Red Arrows, 60 years after their first public air display in 1965. The coin features three Red Arrows BAE Systems Hawk TI aircraft in flight, with coloured versions of the design available. The coin is available to buy as an individual item from the Royal Mint website, with prices starting from £12. It was previously available from the Mint as part of its 2025 Annual Set.
Squadron Leader Jon Bond, team leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said: “Across 60 seasons, the Red Arrows have aimed to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds with a world-class display of precision and teamwork.
“These new 50p coins, with our distinctive Hawk jets depicted brilliantly in close formation, are a wonderful celebration of the excitement, enjoyment and pride felt by millions of individuals, including the next generation of aviators, at air shows and events every year.”
