A RARE 1p coin sitting in your change may be worth 20 million times its face value because of a few key details.
A penny specialist has urged the public to look out for the 72-year-old specific coin as it could be worth a fortune.
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The money fanatic known as CoinCollectingWizard on TikTok opened up about the 1952 proof one penny, marked by an image of George VI.
This particular coin is the “rarest proof penny” of its entire series of copper and bronze pennies, and has left collectors absolutely astounded.
He added: “Jiminy Cricket – £200,000 for this old penny.
“The existence of this unique 1952 proof penny was not known publicly until its initial appearance at Numismatic Auctions in October of 1997, some 45 years after it was struck.
“The British Numismatic world was astonished to see this coin appear and in proof quality as this was not known to exist.”
He also said that the coin remains an enigma as it is the “only unique proof striking” of a pre-decimal penny of the 20th century.
According to BullionByPost, proof pennies are the highest quality coin a mint produces.
Issuers like The Royal Mint generally create just a small number of these per year due to the lengthy process required to make them.
Hand-finished dyes and etching by an expert are a huge part of their creation, meaning it takes around an hour to strike 50 proof coins.
London-based dealer Sovereign Rarities states on its website: “It is perhaps understandable that the George VI 1952 Proof Penny remains a unique piece, as the King died very early in 1952 passing away on 6 February.
“Only the smaller denominations of currency coins that were in great demand were struck for circulation in 1952, with the larger denominations omitted in anticipation of a new reign and a new coinage for Queen Elizabeth II.”
The CoinCollectingWizard added: “A lovely example went up for auction recently and sold for £200,000, so it is 100% a coin to look out for.”
But this is not the only rare penny out there for you to find.
A George V 1p dated 1933 was resold at auction for £127,248 and others have sold in the £70,000 to £80,000 range.
There are thought to be less than 10 of the pennies in existence.
Another rare penny featuring Queen Elizabeth II and dated 1954 is highly coveted.
There is only one known version of the coin to have survived from a trial of several hundreds, according to The Royal Mint.
It last sold for £23,100 in 1991, which is the equivalent of £51,638 in August 2024.