A rare £1 coin has sold for almost 100 times its shop value because of one subtle error.
The 2025 coin, featuring King Charles III on one side and a British bee design on the reverse, was sold on eBay for £99.99 on September 6.
It was described as “highly sought-after” due to a mis-strike that left the coin visibly “wonky” on both sides.
The eBay listing stated: "The rare 2025 Great Britain King Charles III £1 error coin is a highly sought-after collectible item featuring the image of King Charles III.
"Minted with a fineness of 0.925, this coin is a unique piece that showcases the craftsmanship of Great Britain.
"Being from the United Kingdom and uncertified makes it a valuable addition to any coin collection, especially for those interested in British decimal coinage.
"The error on the coin adds to its rarity and intrigue, making it a special treasure for numismatists and collectors alike."
The buyer paid more than 99 times the coin’s shop value, sparking interest among others who may now be tempted to check their spare change for similar errors.
The £1 coin was first introduced in April 1983 to replace the £1 note.
It was originally round and thicker than other coins, with a distinctive yellow colour to differentiate it from the silver-toned cupro-nickel coins already in circulation.
Over the years, several versions of the £1 coin have been released.
In 2017, the round coin was replaced with an all new, 12-sided £1 coin.
Error coins often attract significant attention from collectors due to their rarity and the stories behind their production flaws.
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.
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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.
Royal Mint top 10 most valuable 50p coins
Here is a list of the top 10 most valuable coins, when they were made and how many were minted:
- Atlantic Salmon (2023), 200,000
- Kew Gardens (2009), 210,000
- Olympic Wrestling (2011), 1,129,500
- Olympic Football (2011), 1,161,500
- Olympic Judo (2011), 1,161,500
- Olympic Triathlon (2011), 1,163,500
- Peter Rabbit (2018), 1,400,000
- Flopsy Bunny (2018), 1,400,000
- Olympic Tennis (2011), 1,454,000
- Olympic Goalball (2011), 1,615,500
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