‘Rare’ 5p coin snapped up for 100 times its value

A modest 5p coin sold for 100 times its face value, thanks to a minor minting error.

The 2012 coin, which features Queen Elizabeth, who dies of “old age” in September 2022 aged 96, and the Royal Shield on the reverse, sold on eBay for £5 plus £1 postage.

The surprising price tag was due to a small flaw; An unusual drop of metal in a shield design.

The seller believes that the defect occurred during production.

The listing included: “A Circulated, British, 2012, Elizabeth II, Mint Error, 5p Coin.

“The defect is a small globule of metal on the back side and I believe this is caused by using a broken die.

“As can be seen from the photographs, the coin is in circulation.”

Although it was an everyday coin, its interesting flaw seems to have made it quite attractive to collectors.

Created by Matthew Dent, the Royal Shield design was introduced in 2008 and appears on many UK coins from 1d to 50p.

Taken together, the designs form the entirety of the Royal Arms; But it’s rare mistakes like this that can really increase value.

While most 5p coins won’t buy you much more than a dessert, this one proves that one small mistake can turn the coin into a collector’s prize.