A rare coin expert has pointed a mistake found on Sir Isaac Newton commemorative 50p pieces (stock) (Image: undefined)
People are being urged to look out for a rare 50p coin that could be worth significantly more than its face value because of a minting error.
A rare coin expert said explained how to identify the the particular 50p piece that might fetch a tidy sum. The user, UKCoinHunt, uploaded a clip detailing the method to spot the error present on some special Sir Isaac Newton 50p coins.
These collectable were created in 2017 and feature a reverse design inspired by Proposition 11 from Book One of Newton’s Principia Mathematica. Even without errors, these coins are not common finds, with only the Kew Gardens 50p being rarer in circulation.
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Alerting followers, UKCoinHunt said: “You lot need to look out for this error on Sir Isaac Newton which came out in 2017, there’s an error that means it’s obviously worth a lot more than just 50p.”
He demonstrated the flaw by comparing a faulty coin with a normal one, showing the Queen Elizabeth II portrait and pointing out a “die clash error” that manifests as scratch-like marks.
On closer examination, two lines parallel to each other can be discerned to the left of the late Queen’s neck.
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A number of commemorative have been minted in the past few years (Image: Getty)
While admitting the challenge of capturing the error on camera, UKCoinHunt valued the flawed coin at approximately £10.
He also mentioned that those who have previously ordered these coins in bulk may find multiple examples of the die clash, reports .
One viewer responded: “I have two of them,” while another said: “Can’t see nothing different.” A third person said: “Have to check my few.”
When the commemorative coin was minted eight years ago, the Royal Mint provided some historical context, saying: “When Sir Isaac Newton came to The Royal Mint, Britain’s finances were approaching crisis. Up to one in ten circulating coins were believed to be forged. His vision of matchless quality led him to root out and prosecute notorious counterfeiters, improve assaying techniques (the way coin quality is checked) and refine weights and measures to standards never seen before.
“In 1699 Newton became Master of the Mint. After overseeing the new coinage for the accession of Queen Anne in 1702 he went on to supervise the process of bringing Scottish coinage into line with English coinage, following the Union of England and Scotland in 1707. Thanks to Newton’s vision Royal Mint coins remain unrivalled in their accuracy and purity to this day. This 50p coin is struck to Brilliant Uncirculated standard. It marks the 375th anniversary of Newton’s birth.”