The rare pieces are highly sought-after by collectors and could fetch thousands
Brits have been urged to check their change for three highly sought-after Christmas coins that combined could be worth thousands. These pieces, from specific dates, could fetch more than £8,000 if sold to collectors.
In a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok, an expert known as the Coin Collecting Wizard, told his more than 200,000 followers exactly what to look for. He said: “Christmas coins that will make you rich.”
Firstly he advised people to look for a 50p coin from Gibraltar with a rare error. This coin is dated 1990 but bears an image from the 1989 coin.
Although coins from Gibraltar are not legal tender in the UK, they look very similar and are known to end up in circulation in the UK. This coin could sell for up to £4,000, according to the expert.
He explained: “This is a 50p from Gibraltar and is known as a mule error. The obverse of this coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, dated 1990.
“This is paired with the incorrect 1989 Gibraltar Christmas design featuring a singing choir boy and a puppy wearing a Santa hat and a bow. Errors like this where a mismatched obverse and reverse die are used are extremely uncommon today due to advancements in modern minting technology.
“This coin can sell for up to £4,000 so make sure to check if you have this one.” Next he urged people to look for a 2003 50 pence coin featuring an image from The Snowman.
“This sought-after collectible coin is a new addition of a rare Christmas themed design first issued in 2003 inspired by Raymond Briggs’ the Snowman first published in 1978,” he continued. This coin has an image of the titular snowman dancing with the young boy known as James.
He said: “The 2003 Snowman and James coin was the first in a popular series, produced in partnership with Popjoy Mint to mark the 25th anniversary of the original storybook. And if you have this 50 pence, then you are looking at around £300.”
Lastly he went into more detail about some older coins known as wreath crowns. These get their name from their “distinctive reverse design”.
He added: “These highly collectible silver coins were produced in limited numbers, between 1927 and 1936, as holiday gifts to important clients of the Bank of England leading to their other common name, ‘Christmas crowns’. If you have this crown from 1934 then it is worth £4,000.”
