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| Rare 25p coin sells for 6,800 times its face value | |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| The rare 25p coin went under the hammer in Royal Wootton Bassett | The rare 25p coin went under the hammer in Royal Wootton Bassett |
| The rare 25p coin went under the hammer in Royal Wootton Bassett | The rare 25p coin went under the hammer in Royal Wootton Bassett |
| Published25 September 2024 | Published25 September 2024 |
| An ultra-rare 25p coin has sold for 6,800 times its face value. | An ultra-rare 25p coin has sold for 6,800 times its face value. |
| The collector’s item – handed out in change to a local man – is the same shape as an ordinary 20p piece. | The collector’s item – handed out in change to a local man – is the same shape as an ordinary 20p piece. |
| There are thought to be about 50 in circulation, with even fewer made from nickel brass like the one sold by RWB Auctions in Royal Wootton Bassett on Wednesday. | There are thought to be about 50 in circulation, with even fewer made from nickel brass like the one sold by RWB Auctions in Royal Wootton Bassett on Wednesday. |
| Experts had estimated the coin to sell for between £500 and £700, but a bidder offered £1,700 for the item. | Experts had estimated the coin to sell for between £500 and £700, but a bidder offered £1,700 for the item. |
| The coin is thought to have been made by Royal Mint craftsmen before the 20p denomination was released into circulation in 1982. | The coin is thought to have been made by Royal Mint craftsmen before the 20p denomination was released into circulation in 1982. |
| At the time, authorities had not decided whether the coin would be worth 20p or 25p. | At the time, authorities had not decided whether the coin would be worth 20p or 25p. |
| The 25p coin is made from nickel brass and is dated 1981 | The 25p coin is made from nickel brass and is dated 1981 |
| The 25p coin is made from nickel brass and is dated 1981 | The 25p coin is made from nickel brass and is dated 1981 |
| Known as ‘trial pieces’ or a ‘pattern coins’, such rarities are typically sought by serious collectors. | Known as ‘trial pieces’ or a ‘pattern coins’, such rarities are typically sought by serious collectors. |
| YouTuber Christopher Collects, who works for RWB Auctions, called the piece “fascinating”. | YouTuber Christopher Collects, who works for RWB Auctions, called the piece “fascinating”. |
| He said: “20p coins are a fixture in our change now, but the Royal Mint seems to have experimented with various ideas before they settled on the seven-sided coin we all recognise. | He said: “20p coins are a fixture in our change now, but the Royal Mint seems to have experimented with various ideas before they settled on the seven-sided coin we all recognise. |
| “Trial pieces would have been used to demonstrate the concept of a new coin to officials and may have been sent out to businesses that handle lots of cash to try out." | “Trial pieces would have been used to demonstrate the concept of a new coin to officials and may have been sent out to businesses that handle lots of cash to try out." |
| The 25p coin is part of a specialist sale of historic and modern currency organised by RWB Auctions. | The 25p coin is part of a specialist sale of historic and modern currency organised by RWB Auctions. |
| The auction house, which opened in the town’s High Street in January, previously sold a scarce Lord Kitchener £2 for £1,000 and an unusual Olympics 50p for £1,500. | The auction house, which opened in the town’s High Street in January, previously sold a scarce Lord Kitchener £2 for £1,000 and an unusual Olympics 50p for £1,500. |
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| Related topics | Related topics |
| Royal Wootton Bassett | Royal Wootton Bassett |
| Coins | Coins |
| Auctions | Auctions |
| The Royal Mint | The Royal Mint |