Check your outdated £2 cash – uncommon ‘zoo’ error price a fortune say specialists

If you’ve got a stash of old coins gathering dust in your attic, it might be worth giving them a second look. Experts have highlighted a specific £2 coin that could fetch a tidy sum.

The coin is themed around the gorillas at Jersey Zoo, which have been there since the zoo first opened. It features a close-up image of a gorilla and a message marking the wildlife park’s 60th anniversary.

Currently, a ‘standard’ version of this coin is listed on eBay for a hefty £119.99. This isn’t unusual for these £2 coins, as they typically sell for around £100, say the experts.

However, if you manage to find an ‘error’ 2019 version of this coin, its value could skyrocket to ‘£300’. “Some numpty dumpty managed to put a dye for the obverse of the ‘Red Arrows’ £2 (from the same year) in the machine by mistake, resulting in quite a few hybrid coins,” claims the Great British Coin Hunt.

“As with all blunders in Coinworld, the ‘Jersey Zoo Gorilla’ with no denomination and the date only is a highly sought-after item. It also sells for between £200 and £300.”

Gorillas became a key part of Jersey Zoo’s history when a five-year-old fell into the silverback enclosure nearly 40 years ago. While this immediately sparked worry, one gorilla named Jambo stunned spectators when he appeared to ‘protect’ the unconscious child from danger.

Jambo the gorilla was hailed as the ‘Gentle Giant’ after he protected a boy who fell into his enclosure, an act that propelled him to global fame. Chris Yang of Coins Value spilled the beans: “I have seen numerous such coins in my career. In 2010, it was sold by one client to whom we sold it for £50, and we recently valued it at £300, a rise of 500% in over ten years, which displays how valuable the coin had been regarding desirability for collectors’ purposes.”

“The Jersey Zoo Gorilla coin is easy to identify. The obverse carries the Queen Elizabeth II portrait, while the reverse carries the image of the gorilla, where the details are given with richness. The coin is made from cupronickel, weighs 28.28 grams, and has a diameter of 38.61mm. These features help differentiate it from any counterfeit.”

“The price depends on the condition. Uncirculated coins are sold at £400 and above. In contrast, circulated ones sell for anywhere between £150 to £300, depending on the level of toning, the amount of mint lustre, and how well the finer details have been preserved.”

Folks are nudged to jump aboard the Money Saving Club WhatsApp channel, your new best friend when it comes to penny-pinching, packed full of top-notch advice courtesy of Reach’s vast network of national and regional publications.

If you haven’t stumbled upon a gorilla coin just yet, don’t be too upset as there are loads of other coins out there that could have you rifling through your loft in excitement. Take, for example, the recent frenzy over a rare 1933 coin which fetched an eye-watering £140,000, seeing as there are only seven known to exist worldwide.

The co-founder of Coins Value, Chris Yang, previously spilled the beans to The Star: “In sum, scrutinise your coins, have them identified and graded professionally, and work with experienced numismatists to determine the real value of your coins so that you can sell them for the best price.

“Remember, the thrill of coin collecting isn’t always about striking gold; it’s about connecting with history and uncovering hidden treasures. Your old coin jar might hold more than just spare change – it could be a portal to a fascinating past. ”