A RARE coin made in York has defied expectations by selling for £2,000 more than its asking price at auction.

The silver King Stephen penny was listed to make between £3,000 and £4,000 when it was auctioned off at London-based company, Spink, for £5,200 on Monday.

The silver penny was made in the city around 1135 and 1154 during the reign of King Stephen, who was William The Conqueror’s grandson.

It turned up in Northampton earlier this year and was auctioned by the Bloomsbury firm, who confirmed it was found in the East Midlands town.

Spink say the coin is in “nearly extremely fine” condition and that it is “extremely rare, especially so in this condition.”

The company did not disclose any information on the buyer.