Rare 20p coin with spectacular error fetches for eye-watering sum at auction
A rare coin with a "spectacular error" is every collectors' dream right now after selling for a fortune at auction.
The 20p, which was minted in 1990, had been created for British overseas territory before being pulled from circulation.
It was struck in copper-plated steel blank but came in poor quality.
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Now due to its error, the coin sold for £1,400 at Tennants Auctioneers in Harrogate, North Yorks., on Wednesday.
It is believed collector Alun Barker picked up the one-of-a-kind piece on eBay in December 2017 for just £50.
A few months later in January in 2018, the coin was confirmed as genuine by The Royal Mint.
Specialists Tennants had expected the disfigured money to reach at least £1,200 when it went under the hammer.
The sale also included several other impressive pieces of currency, including the "Coronation" gold proof set.
Also there was a rare Pattern Crown coin from 1966, designed by Anthony Foley which sold for £2,300.
A Charles III four-coin gold proof set, minted in 2022 to mark Queen Elizabeth II passing, also went for £1,400.
It comprised a double sovereign, sovereign, half sovereign and quarter sovereign and was one of only 750 sets.
The coins were housed in a Royal Mint box of issue with an accompanying booklet and certificate of authenticity.
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Following the sale, Tennants Auctioneers' Coin Cataloguer Will Dobbins was impressed with how well the money sold.
He said: "This was a really good sale overall, selling 98% of the lots offered.
"We were delighted to achieve such strong results for our vendors. Of particular interest was a 1966 Pattern Crown.
"Minted in sterling silver, it was designed by Anthony Foley and was one of only 100 struck.
"It exceeded the presale estimate of £1,000-£1,500 to achieve a hammer price of £2,300."
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