Experts advise coin collectors to check their change for rare £2 coins that could be significantly more valuable than their face value due to specific minting errors.
An emerging trend among coin collectors highlights two specific £2 coins that could fetch substantial sums beyond their face value if they feature particular errors. Experts are urging the public to scrutinise their change as these rare coins could collectively command prices exceeding £1,000.
In a TikTok video, a user known as the Coin Collecting Wizard provided insights into these valuable coins, detailing the key characteristics that make them desirable to collectors. “It’s all about those rare £2 coins you can find in your change,” the expert stated.
The first coin of interest is the 2014 £2 coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, which features the image of Lord Kitchener. However, it is the obverse side of this coin that might contain a critical error, rendering it exceptionally rare. The Coin Collecting Wizard explained, “This is the Lord Kitchener £2 coin released in 2014 to mark the centenary of World War One. But there’s a rare error version that collectors are going crazy for.”
Typically, £2 coins are inscribed with the words “two pounds” beneath the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The expert noted that a limited number of the Lord Kitchener coins were mistakenly minted without this inscription, significantly boosting their value on the collectors’ market. With approximately 5,720,000 Lord Kitchener coins produced, only a few bear this error, making them highly sought after. According to the expert, “These error coins have been spotted selling for anywhere between £900 and £1,000 pounds, and in some cases, even more at auction.”
In a notable instance, a rare error coin recently achieved an impressive £1,000 at auction, drawing interest from an American collector.
Moreover, the expert highlighted another valuable coin minted in 2016—the ‘Shakespeare skull’ £2 coin. This particular coin is known for its inscription from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “what a piece of work is a man.” However, similarly to the Lord Kitchener coin, some of the Shakespeare skull coins contain a minting error where the edge reads “for king and country,” which was intended for a distinct set of commemorative coins related to the First World War. The expert elaborated, “A very cool error to find and some easy money,” indicating the potential financial benefit of identifying such a coin.
Previously, these error coins have sold for upwards of £200, and as of the most recent listings on eBay, prices are being observed to exceed £500.
The growing interest in these coins and investments among collectors underscores the evolving market for rare currency. As coin enthusiasts continue to search for these specific £2 coins in circulation, the appeal for unique collectibles remains steadfast.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://britanniacoincompany.com/buy-coins/error-coins/2014-kitchener-error-two-pound/ – This URL supports the claim about the 2014 Lord Kitchener £2 coin featuring a rare error on the obverse side. The page details the coin’s specifications and mentions an instance where such an error coin sold at auction.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgMcBJ7196Y – This YouTube video discusses rare and error £2 coins, aligning with the article’s theme of highlighting valuable coins like the Lord Kitchener and Shakespeare skull coins.
- https://www.ebay.co.uk – This URL is relevant for verifying the prices of error coins like the Shakespeare skull £2 coin on platforms like eBay, where such coins have been reportedly selling for high prices.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_pounds_(British_coin) – This Wikipedia page provides general information about £2 coins, including commemorative designs and potential errors, which can help in understanding the context of error coins like the Lord Kitchener and Shakespeare skull coins.
- https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/two-pounds/ – This Royal Mint page lists various £2 coin designs, including the 2014 Lord Kitchener and other commemorative coins. It supports the discussion on the variety of £2 coins and their unique features.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative discusses specific £2 coins from 2014 and 2016, indicating a focus on historical rather than recent events. However, the mention of recent eBay listings and an American collector suggest some level of currency.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from a TikTok user known as the Coin Collecting Wizard. Without access to the original TikTok video, it’s challenging to verify these quotes independently. However, the lack of broader online references suggests they might be original.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Hull Daily Mail, a local UK publication with some reputation for reliability, though not as widely recognized internationally as major outlets like the BBC or Financial Times.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative about rare £2 coins with minting errors is plausible, especially given historical instances of error coins commanding high prices. The precise details about specific error coins and their values, however, require external verification.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears plausible and discusses historical coins with minting errors. While the source is somewhat reliable, quotes from a TikTok expert lack independent verification. Overall, the information is fresh enough to be of current interest, particularly for collectors.
