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What makes a coin valuable?
Coins are considered valuable for many reasons. The first is low mintage, making them rare to find. Coins printed with errors before a mistake was spotted, patterned coins produced as a test run and coins with historical importance are all favoured by collectors, and they can be sold for a great deal more than their actual face value.
While the most expensive coin ever sold was a US dollar, there are some valuable examples in the UK that are in circulation - they could be worth a lot to the right collector.
Rare to find: 1917 George V Sovereign
Gold coinage was seen as a luxury before the First World War, but impractical during the conflict, as funds were needed for the ongoing war effort. Sovereigns were ceased to be issued during this period as The Royal Mint closed, and many that were struck were sent to the US to pay off debt. As a result, these coins are extremely hard to find!
Of historical importance: Edward VIII Coinage
Edward VIII abdicated the throne after just a few months, and while coins featuring his portrait were never circulated, a handful of trial pieces were made. Over the years, these coins have made it into the hands of the public – and The Royal Mint set a record by sourcing and selling one such sovereign for £1million.
Unusually styled: Una and the Lion
Featuring William Wyon’s portrait of Queen Victoria and the Queen as Una guiding the British lion, this five-pound coin, issued in 1839, is considered one of the most beautiful coins in the world. Many variations can be found amongst the few hundred still in circulation including different metals, different edge types and different ornamentation on the Queen’s hairbands.
Rarely minted: 1996 Football European Championship Gold Proof £2 Coin
Just 2,100 of this commemorative coin were ever minted. Designed with a football, the date and 16 small circles to demonstrate the countries taking part in the European Championship tournament that year, the appeal of this collectable broadens from traditional coin collectors to sports fans too.
Culturally significant: 2009 Kew Gardens 50p Coin
Released to celebrate Kew Gardens’ 250th anniversary, some 210,000 of these 50p pieces were issued but collectors snapped them up and removed them from public circulation quickly. As a result, they are incredibly hard to find but considered culturally significant thanks to their commemorative print.
Caring for coins
Given that such coins are so valuable, they should be stored appropriately. As with all collectibles, they should be treated with the right respect. Watertight protective storage cases provide durable and tough protection away from the elements.
If you do find a coin that you believe may be of importance and you feel it would benefit from a good clean, don’t be tempted to use harsh cleaning products. Instead, lie the coin in a clean plastic container and submerge in water and vinegar, before lightly scrubbing.
I’m off to empty my piggy bank now… well, you never know!