Rare penny in your pocket could possibly be price as much as £50,000 says Royal Mint
Got a stash of old coins gathering dust at home?
You might want to take another look. Coin experts have highlighted several incredibly rare coins, including a 1937 penny that could fetch a staggering amount.
At first glance, it may seem like any other coin, but some specialists argue it’s one of ‘the world’s most significant and valuable coins’. “The 1937 pennies are extremely rare and can be worth up to £50,000,” the Royal Mint reveals in its list of the 10 most valuable coins ever recorded.
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Echoing this, Showpiece experts add: “The 1937 Edward VIII One Penny, like many of the world’s most significant and valuable coins, is a pattern.
(Image: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
“Patterns are generally used to evaluate a coin’s design before mass production of the regular issue, which in this particular case, following Edward VIII’s sudden abdication, never happened.”
King Edward gave up the throne in 1936 after just an 11-month reign, making him one of the shortest-reigning monarchs in UK history. He then became the Duke of Windsor, and his brother, Queen Elizabeth II’s father, King George VI, ascended to the throne.
The abrupt abdication not only caused a ‘headache’ for the Mint, but also boosted the value of King Edward coins, despite them being less than a century old.
TikTok’s very own Coin Collecting Wizard has been dishing out the dosh advice, revealing how a simple penny could make you thousands.
“This is the 1937 penny and was minted in celebration of the reign of King Edward VIII,” he explained. “However, the plans were abandoned in December 1936 following the abdication of the Royal to marry American divorcee Wallace Simpson… This coin was one of around 50 that were produced to evaluate the design.
“Now what you need to do is search your old pre-decimal pennies for any from the year 1937 when you find a 1937 this doesn’t mean you found the ‘super rare’ version. What you need to do is check the obverse side of the coin also known as the head side. If your coin has King Edward VIII, then yes you have found an ultra-rare version.”
And if you reckon you’re out of luck without a 1937 penny, think again. There’s loads more coins that could snag you a fortune.
One cheeky 1933 penny recently nabbed a cool £140,000 at auction with a mere seven kicking about on planet Earth.
Coin kingpin Chris Yang, Co-founder of Coins Value, said: “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.”
