Check your wallet for this rare 2p coin from the 1980s worth £1,000

When getting change back after paying in cash many of us throw any copper coins into the depths of our wallets without much of a thought. One pence and two pence coins are now so minimal in value that it is common they aren’t used again or end up in a jar at home.

Now an expert is urging Brits to check their wallets and coin jars for a valuable misprinted coin that could be worth more than £1,000. According to TikTok creator, the Coin Collector UK, a specific 2p coin from the year 1983 could be worth far more than face value.

The 2p coin in question was printed with the words “new pence” instead of “two pence”. In a video explained: “Do you have the two pence worth £1,000?

“The 1983 new pence two pence is one of the rarest British error coins that sells for up to four figures.” These error coins were part of a commemorative collection, rather than placed into normal circulation.

The coin expert continued: “In 1983 the Royal Mint accidentally minted two pence coins with ‘new pence’ on them in the 1983 year sets. This was a mistake and they should have said the words ‘two pence’.

“Like all errors the exact number minted is unknown, as they were not supposed to be produced in the first place.” However, it is important that this error is found on coins from 1983 only.

He said: “Other years of the new pence two pence are very common and don't hold any collector's value. Billions of these went into circulation to celebrate the introduction of the new coin.”

Coin experts at Change Checker explained that the error came about after the UK switched to the decimal system. The website said: “When the UK switched to decimal coinage in 1971, it was decided that the word ‘new’ would be included in the denomination on some of our coins to avoid confusion between the new decimal coinage and the old currency.

“By 1982 the coins were no longer new so the word was dropped, and the 2p design changed from ‘new pence’ to ‘two pence’.” They added that affected coins were issued as part of special souvenir sets that also did not enter general circulation.

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They said: “If you’re lucky enough to find a 1983 ‘new pence’ 2p in your change, not only does the rarity of this coin make it more collectable, but the coin was also struck in uncirculated quality – meaning it won’t have the scratches and blemishes of circulation coins.

“The individual 1983 2p coin has been known to sell for between £500 – £700, however the 1983 coin sets have been known to sell for over £1,000 on the secondary market!”