Coin enthusiasts across the United Kingdom are being alerted to a specific minting error that could transform an ordinary £2 coin into a collector's item worth approximately £60. The valuable discrepancy revolves around just four words inscribed on the coin's edge, making it a potentially lucrative find for those who spot it.
The Shakespeare Tragedy Coin: A 2016 Issue
The coin in question is the Shakespeare tragedies £2 coin, which was first minted in 2016. On its reverse side, it features a distinctive skull design, paying homage to the famous playwright's works. While millions of these coins entered circulation at their face value, a small batch was produced with a notable error that has since captured the attention of the numismatic community.
Identifying the Valuable Error
According to expert advice shared by the online authority known as Coin Collector UK, the key to identifying this valuable coin lies in examining its outer edge inscription. The correct inscription for this particular £2 coin should read: "what a piece of work is a man".
However, the error versions contain a different phrase: "for King and country". This four-word discrepancy indicates that during the minting process, the edge inscription from another £2 coin design was accidentally applied. Such mint errors, where edge inscriptions are swapped between coins produced in the same year, are known to occur but remain relatively rare.
Why This Error Adds Significant Value
In a detailed explanation via social media platform TikTok, the Coin Collector UK expert emphasised that this specific error could increase the coin's value to around 30 times its face value, potentially fetching up to £60 in the collector's market. He stated: "Mint errors like this one can add significant value to common coins. The error coin will have the edge inscription 'for King and country'. Several incorrect edge errors are known on UK £2 coins, with the edge swapped for another belonging to a coin minted in the same year."
The expert further noted that 2016 appears to be a year particularly prone to such edge inscription errors, advising the public to routinely check their £2 coins. He highlighted: "This seems to be bad on 2016 coins, so make sure to always check your £2 coins as edge inscription errors are out there."
What Collectors Should Look For
For those hoping to discover this valuable coin, the process involves a simple but careful inspection:
- First, locate a £2 coin from 2016 featuring the Shakespeare tragedies design with a skull on the reverse.
- Next, examine the raised lettering around the coin's outer edge.
- If the inscription reads "for King and country" instead of the correct "what a piece of work is a man", you may have found the error version.
This hard-to-spot error has attracted considerable interest from collectors due to its subtle nature and the significant premium it commands. While the standard version remains worth exactly £2, the error variant represents a fascinating example of how minting mistakes can create unexpected value in everyday currency.
