WHAT may appear to be small change could, in fact, turn out to be a small fortune – if you know what to look for.
It’s no secret that rare coins can fetch significant sums thanks to unique errors, low mintage numbers, or distinct features.
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A TikTok creator known as CoinCollectingWizard has revealed some of the most valuable pennies out there — including one worth up to 100 times its face value.
Speaking in the video, he said: “There are many predecimal UK pennies that can hold a premium.
“You must check for certain dates.
“One of UK’s rarest coin ever released into general circulation is the 1951 penny, with only 120,000 of them minted.”
This specific coin is particularly sought after, as it was produced exclusively for overseas use.
At the time, Britain had no need for additional pennies due to the large number already in circulation.
This coin gained cult status among collectors after claims in the early 1960s highlighted its investment potential.
Struck during the Festival of Britain in 1951, only 120,000 of these pennies were minted, making it an exceptionally rare find.
With such a limited quantity produced over 70 years ago, it’s easy to see why this coin is so coveted today.
According to the TikTok creator, its value now ranges between £50 and £100, making it a treasure worth hunting for.
What are the most rare and valuable coins?
However, the 1951 penny isn’t the only 1p coin that could be worth more than its face value.
We’ve listed several others that could fetch a small fortune.
1933 1p coin – over £200,000
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The highly sought-after 1933 penny is a coin that collectors are desperate to get their hands on.
While there are other dates to look out for, there are only seven 1933 coins known to exist.
These pennies were not intended for general circulation.
Instead, they were struck for ceremonial purposes, such as being placed under the foundation stones of important buildings.
Some were also made for museum collections.
It’s worth as much as £200,000 and one recently sold at auction.
1875 1p coin – £3,000
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The 1875 ‘H’ penny is worth between £100 and £3,000 according to the TikTokker.
Some 1875 pennies were minted at the Heaton Mint in Birmingham and bear an “H” mint mark.
These coins are rarer than those minted at the Royal Mint in London.
The “H” mint mark is located to the left of the date on the reverse side of the coin.
How much you’d get for it depends on grade, condition, desirability, and demand.
The obverse shows a bust of Queen Victoria facing left, with her hair in a bun.
The small ‘H’ under the year of mintage on the reverse is what makes this coin rare, it shows that it was created by the Heaton mint.
1919 1p coin – £2,000
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Pennies struck at the Kings Norton mint in Birmingham have the letters K and N to the left of the date.
It’s thought around 5,209,600 were minted.
Similar to other coins from the World War I era, some 1919 pennies were minted at the Heaton Mint.
These coins bear an “H” or “KN” mint mark, respectively, which is located to the left of the date on the reverse side of the coin.
Depending on the condition of the coin, the CoinCollectingWizard estimates the value can range up to £2,000.
1918 1p coin – £600
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Next up is the 1918 ‘KN’ penny, which has been sold for between £30 and £600 in the past.
The 1p is British penny coin minted in 1918 at the Kings Norton Mint.
The “KN” mint mark is located to the left of the date on the coin.
During the reign of King George V the Royal Mint ran out of capacity to strike enough coins, so they contracted out the minting of some pennies.
Any coins minted in 1918 with the special mark are considered extremely rare and difficult to find.
1902 1p coin – £500
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The 1902 “Low Tide” penny is a bronze coin minted in England during the reign of King Edward VII.
It features Britannia seated right with a trident and shield, and a low tide level in the sea
The “low tide” variety is considerably scarcer than the “normal” tide pieces.
The 1p piece is worth as much as £500 at auction.
1882 1p coin – £200
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The 1882 1p ‘H’ coin was minted during the reign of Queen Victoria.
Some of the pennies were minted at the Heaton Mint in Birmingham and bear an “H” mint mark.
There are different varieties of the 1882 penny, including differences in the design and die used.
Collectors often seek out these varieties, especially if they are less common.
It can be worth as much as £200, according to the coin fanatic.
1894 1p coin – £160
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The 1894 1p coin is considered rare and highly sought after by collectors.
This particular coin was minted during the reign of Queen Victoria and is part of the British pre-decimal currency system.
The penny had a relatively low mintage compared to other years, making it less common.
It’s worth as much as £160 according to CoinCollectingWizard.
1918 1p coin – £150
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The rare 1918 1p ‘H’ coin is notable for a few specific characteristics that make it highly sought after by collectors.
During World War I, there was a need to produce more coins, so some pennies were minted at the Heaton Mint.
Pennies with these mint marks are rarer than those minted at the Royal Mint in London.
Coins from the World War I era are often collected for their historical significance.
It can be worth as much as £150.
1950 1p coin – £70
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According to the TikTokker, the 1950 George VI penny is worth between £30 and £70.
Only 240,000 of these coins were made, and they were all sent overseas.
If you find one and it’s in good condition you could make 7,000 its face value.
How do I safely store valuable coins?
HERE are some tricks to keep your valuable coins safe from toning:
- Store your coins in individual containers
- Put it in a clear, air tight holder that lets you see the coin from both sides
- Avoid putting them in clear plastic sandwich bags because they can still rub against each other an may cause scratches or marks
- Store your collection in a folder or album, although tarnishing may occur quicker than in an airtight container
- Keep them out of a damp environment. You can use silica gel to help prevent damp
- Wear clean, white gloves when handling the coins
- Steer clear of using PVC materials as it traps moisture and releases acidic gases which can damage the collection.
How do I go about selling rare coins?
There are many different factors to consider when trying to value a coin, including its condition and mintage, so it’s important to do your homework first.
If you’ve got a coin that you would like to sell at auction, you can contact The Royal Mint’s Collectors Service.
It has a team of experts who can help you to authenticate and value your coin.
You’ll need to enquire via email, and a member of the valuation team will contact get back to you.
Take a picture of your coin and attach this to the email – you can find the details on The Royal Mint’s website.
Be aware that you will be charged for this service though – the cost will vary depending on the size of your collection.
If you are looking to buy a coin online through a marketplace such as eBay, it’s important to know exactly what you are purchasing.
This is because anyone can list a coin on eBay and charge whatever amount they wish.
You should also be wary of fakes online – and keep in mind that on eBay a buyer could pull out, which means the coin won’t have sold for the price it says it has.
Meanwhile, we have put together a guide on the rarest and most valuable coins.