A rare Royal Mint 20p coin has sold on eBay for more than 620 times its face value.
The coin carries an error as a result of a weak strike during the minting process that makes it extremely valuable for collectors.
Described as “very nice and interesting” coin, the 20p piece inspired a mini bidding war amid collectors, prior to selling for almost £125.
The description of the listing on eBay said: “Striking machines are set so that the dies have a limited travel, this is done to stop the dies crashing into each other in the absence of a coin.
“It's my understanding that this coin was struck on a badly set machine, or a trial piece used in set up.
“Only the higher raised detail of the dies connected, which make the lower details of the coin. Therefore, lower fields are shiny and well formed, but raised detail is absent.
“These higher unstruck areas show the correct dull and marked finish of a pre struck coin as a result of the polishing process.
“The coin clearly shows the round nature of 20p blanks prior to being struck. A very nice and interesting error coin indeed.”
The coin collected 13 bids, before selling for 622 times its face value for £124.48.
Five incredibly rare and valuable British coins
What makes a coin valuable?
The 50 pence piece has become the most valued and collected coin in the UK, with many collectable designs appearing on its heptagonal canvas.
Its 27.5mm diameter makes it the largest of any British coin, and allows space for decorative pictures. It has often been used to celebrate big events over the past 50 years of British history.
The rarest coins tend to be of the greatest value, with the mintage (number of coins with each design made) being the fundamental attraction for collectors.
Along with the design, other aspects of the coin which increase value are the condition of the coin and whether it has an error in its design.
The way in which it is sold can also determine the coin’s value - while some coin collectors will bid vast amounts of money on eBay or at auction, others opt for more robust valuations by selling via a coin dealer.
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