
Rare 2p coin fetches a jaw-dropping £750 at auction: Have you got one in YOUR pocket?
A rare two-pence piece has just sold for £750 at auction today – and Brits have been urged to check their change in case they've got one too.
The coin, dated 1985, was found in a piggy bank in the late 1990s, and sold for nearly 40,000 times its face value at auction.
Unlike other 2p coins, it's made from cupronickel, a metal alloy normally used for higher-denomination coins such as 10 pence pieces.
As a result, it's got a unique silver colour, instead of the usual bronze tint, and will stand out in a handful of change.
The coin went the hammer at RWB Auctions in Royal Wootton Bassett earlier this week.
Auctioneers estimated it would fetch between £300 and £400 at auction. But the coin more than doubled that, going for a staggering £750.
Coin expert and YouTuber Christopher Collects, who works with The Britannia Coin Company, sister firm to RWB Auctions, described how the coin may have come out in silver.
He said: 'It's been struck on the wrong metal disk.
'So somehow a cupronickel silvery-looking blank has managed to get into one of the striking machines and has filtered into the machine whilst they were striking two pence coins.
'There's this great big metal bin that's full of all these blanks – because they're not a coin until they've been struck – and they just lift them up and tip them into a hopper.
'It all gets fed into the machine, and so one of these blanks has managed to get stuck in the machinery and has then dislodged while they're striking two pence coins.'
He continued: 'They can strike up to 16 coins a second in one of those machines, so you can imagine the sheer volume of coins that they produce when they're minting them for circulation.
'They can't check every single one, so normally they would grab a handful and check them over, and it's obviously not been in the handful of coins that they've pulled out to check.'
The coin features a crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by artist Raphael Maklouf which was used on British currency between 1985 and 1997.
The reverse features the badge of the Prince of Wales – ostrich plumes within a coronet.
Its cupronickel composition has been confirmed using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology, and it's also been authenticated by a third party, the Numismatic Guaranty Company.
It's unclear how many cupronickel 2p pieces are in circulation.
'It's anybody's guess,' said Christopher, 'there is no way to track back how many have been made.'
The coin expert says there could be one in your pocket right now.
He said: 'If you don't look, you definitely won't find, is what I would normally say.
'It does stand out if you've got a handful of two pence coins and you have a silver-looking one rather than a coppery-looking one.
'This one was found in a piggy bank, so there's every chance that there could be more out there, but they're not going to be in huge numbers.'
He added: 'This just sort of highlights the kind of treasure that you can find in your change, in your pocket, in your money jars.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
UK's favourite 'Dadisms' unveiled - from 'resting their eyes' to dad jokes
A poll of 2,000 adults found that while Brits love to moan about their dads' cringey behaviour, three quarters wouldn't choose to change them if they could The nation's favourite 'Dadisms' have been unveiled, with classics such as feigning sleep by "resting their eyes", repeating the same tales, and of course, dad dancing topping the list. A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that despite Brits often grumbling about their dads' embarrassing antics, a whopping three quarters wouldn't change them. Other beloved Dadisms encompass DIY around the house, cracking cheesy jokes, and claiming a particular chair that no one else is permitted to occupy. Napping on the sofa, uttering phrases like 'back in my day...' or 'when I was your age...', and moaning about the price of things also received honourable mentions. Despite these classic Dadisms, an impressive 76% professed they aren't embarrassed by this behaviour, choosing instead to indulge their fathers – with 62% likely to chuckle at their jokes, regardless of their humour value. This acceptance might be due to the fact that 85% admit to indulging in Dadisms themselves – with the most prevalent being complaining about the cost of things (28%), dozing off on the sofa (25%), and using the thumbs up emoji (17%). A spokesperson from Moonpig, which commissioned the research, said: "They seem to have so many universal behaviours, as if they've been given a manual on what makes a dad a dad. This Father's Day we want to celebrate all father figures and the little quirks that make us love them so much." The other ingredients that make up a classic father figure were also revealed, with top traits identified as hardworking, caring, supportive, and reliable. Dad-centric hobbies included watching football, gardening, and DIY – as well as travelling, reading, and going to the pub with his mates. According to data from the most cherished possessions of any paternal figure are likely to be his car, toolbox, and family photographs. Interestingly, more respondents found their fathers unintentionally funny than intentionally hilarious. To honour the father figures in their lives, 73% celebrate Father's Day annually and to mark this day, they are most likely to buy him a gift, a card, and go out for a meal. The top factors influencing the selection of the perfect card were identified as humour, a fun and personal design, and a sentimental message about how great he is. Interestingly, over half claimed they are more likely to buy a humorous card to celebrate their dad on Father's Day than their mum on Mother's Day, perhaps because 73% hope to see their favourite Dadisms referenced on the cover. The spokesperson added: "Our father figures can be such a source of inspiration, support, and laughter – which is why it's so important to celebrate them every chance we get. "A heartfelt message, inside joke, or personalised reference to the things they love on their Father's Day card can make all the difference to letting them know how much you care. "So this Father's Day, take a moment to revel in those eye-roll-worthy Dadisms and the little things that make your bond so special – and say it all with a card that's as unique as he is." TOP 30 FAVOURITE 'DADISMS': Fixing things around the house Pretending they're not sleeping just 'resting their eyes' Falling asleep on the sofa Telling bad/corny jokes Saying 'back in my day…' or 'when I was your age…' Telling the same story multiple times Having a favourite chair that no one else is allowed to sit in Dad dancing Complaining about the cost of things Complaining about what you're watching on TV but then sitting down to watch it anyway Starting conversations with strangers Sending the thumbs up emoji Doing a dad grunt when sitting down or standing up Always coming round to your house with a toolbox Giving unsolicited advice Making jokes to waiters Cleaning his car for fun Always ordering the same meal at a restaurant Wearing socks with sandals Having questionable dress sense Doing the head-nod greeting to strangers Tinkering with something that isn't broken Being obsessed with the water/electricity meter Not using emojis properly Talking through a film you're trying to watch Claiming to be great at BBQ-ing Calling you by your sibling's name Having a 'usual' in the pub Taking atrocious selfies Farting a lot


Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Original EastEnders cast now from huge Hollywood role to tragically early death
EastEnders first hit our TV screens 40 years ago but what happened to the original Albert Square cast EastEnders might be the quintessential British soap, woven into the fabric of UK culture with its beloved characters, tangled family dramas, and decades of tradition known to generations of viewers. Since its explosive debut in 1985, the show has undergone dramatic transformations - both on screen and off. From cherished icons who have sadly passed, to cast members who found fame in Hollywood or left the spotlight entirely, here's a look at the original EastEnders cast and where they are now, 40 years later. Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) Central to many major plots, the landlord 'Dirty Den' is one of the most iconic characters in the history of British soaps. In real life, Leslie Grantham's life was full of controversy from before even joining the show. While serving the British army in West Germany in 1965, Grantham attempted to rob a taxi driver and ended up shooting him in the head. He was convicted of murder and spent 10 years in prison, and decided to pursue acting after being released. After his EastEnders days - which ended because of an internet sex scandal he became involved in - he appeared in two UK tours of a stage adaptation of Beyond Reasonable Doubt, starred in police drama series The Bill, and had a cameo in the 25th anniversary episode of EastEnders. Grantham passed away in 2018, aged 71, of lung cancer. Dot Cotton (June Brown) Few characters in British soap history are as recognisable - or as beloved - as Dot Cotton. Played by June Brown, Dot was introduced in 1985 as a laundrette worker with a complicated son and a deep sense of morality. June Brown stayed with the show, on and off, for 35 years. She made her final on-screen appearance in 2020, when Dot left Walford for Ireland. The BBC made clear the door was left open for her return, even leaving her dressing room untouched. But June died in April 2022, aged 95. Her impact was such that Dot's off-screen death was treated with reverence in a special episode later that year. Brown, who had been partially blind in her later years, was awarded an MBE in 2008 and a lifetime achievement award at the 2005 British Soap Awards. Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) Pauline was the heart of Albert Square's longest-running family, the Fowlers. Pauline's storylines spanned domestic abuse, teenage pregnancy, and family tragedy - culminating in her dramatic death on Christmas Day 2006, after being struck with a frying pan and left to die in the snow. Wendy Richard, a veteran of Are You Being Served?, remained on EastEnders for over two decades. Her departure marked the end of an era. She was diagnosed with cancer shortly after leaving the show and died in 2009, aged 65. Richard had received an MBE in 2000 and remains one of the soap's most iconic faces. Angie Watts (Anita Dobson) The original Queen Vic landlady, Anita Dobson played Angie with raw emotional depth, especially during the infamous 1986 Christmas Day episode where Den handed Angie divorce papers. Dobson left in 1988, despite producers pleading for her to stay. Angie was later killed off-screen in 2002, having died from alcohol poisoning. Anita, now 75, went on to enjoy a successful career in theatre and TV, including Doctor Who and Call the Midwife. She married Queen guitarist Brian May in 2000 and remains one of the most respected actors to come out of the show. Arthur Fowler (Bill Treacher) Arthur Fowler was the everyman of EastEnders: kind, flawed, and a victim of life's pressures. Treacher asked to leave the show in 1995 after being warned that the stress of filming could be fatal. Arthur was written out in a powerful storyline that ended in his death from a brain haemorrhage. Bill went on to appear in George and the Dragon alongside Patrick Swayze and continued acting until the early 2000s. He died in 2022 at the age of 92. Nick Cotton (John Altman) The villain you loved to hate, with his sneering grin and leather jacket, Nick Cotton was EastEnders' first true bad boy. John Altman played Nick across multiple stints from 1985 to 2015. His final appearance saw Nick die of a heroin overdose in front of Dot - a grim end to one of the Square's most notorious characters. Altman, now 72, has appeared in The Real Marigold Hotel, indie films, and continues to work, including roles in horror and theatre. Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) Introduced as the adopted daughter of Den and Angie, Sharon was the glam of EastEnders throughout the '90s, involved in love triangles and betrayals. Letitia Dean left the show in 1995, returned in 2001, left again in 2006, and came back for good in 2012. Now 57, she remains a central figure in Walford, with major storylines as recently as 2024. Dean has remained fiercely private off-screen but is one of the few original characters still part of the current cast. Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully) Michelle made headlines from the moment she first appeared, thanks to the storyline involving her teenage pregnancy. Susan Tully played her until 1995, after which she stepped away from acting entirely. She re-emerged behind the camera, directing episodes of Silent Witness, Line of Duty, and The A Word. Now 57, she is considered one of the UK's most respected TV directors. When Michelle returned to the show in 2016, she was played by a new actress, Jenna Russell. Ethel Skinner (Gretchen Franklin) A gossip with a heart of gold, Ethel Skinner was a former music hall star who brought old-school charm to Walford. Her most moving storyline came in 2000, when, gravely ill, she asked her best friend Dot to help end her life - an episode that pushed the BBC into controversy territory. It was also Franklin's final performance. She died in 2005 aged 94, having reportedly insisted Ethel never be recast. Pete Beale (Peter Dean) Pete Beale was a rough-edged but well-meaning character, married to Pat, then Kathy, and clashing frequently with son Ian. Peter Dean played Pete until 1993, when the character was killed off-screen in a car crash during a dramatic twist by new producers. Dean later criticised the decision, saying he was 'devastated' not to film his exit. The actor made a few TV appearances afterwards - including The Real EastEnders - but mostly stepped back from the limelight, and is now in his early 80s. Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt) In a square full of loudmouths and schemers, Lofty Holloway was kind-hearted and socially awkward and painfully sincere. His exit in 1988 was equally low-key: a letter and a goodbye. Tom Watt made a surprise return for Lofty in 2019 during the funeral of Dr. Legg, but otherwise, he went on to become a football writer and ghost-wrote David Beckham's autobiography. Though rarely seen on screen these days, he's found success behind the scenes in sports broadcasting. Lou Beale (Anna Wing) The Beale matriarch was the first character to be created for EastEnders, and got killed off in 1988 - but not before making it clear to her nearest and dearest exactly what she thought of each of them. She even managed to come to a truce with nemesis Pat. After leaving EastEnders, Wing still worked on stage productions, had numerous television roles, and appeared alongside Orlando Bloom in The Calcium Kid. She also had roles in critically acclaimed films and earned an MBE in 2006. Wing died at the age of 98 from natural causes. Sue Osman (Sandy Ratcliff) One half of Walford's first married couple, Sue Osman was at the centre of one of EastEnders' earliest and most harrowing storylines - the sudden death of her baby from cot death. The powerful plot helped establish the show's reputation for tackling real-life issues head-on. Sue struggled with mental health in later episodes before being written out in 1989. Off-screen, actress Sandy Ratcliff battled addiction, but later retrained as a counsellor. She died in 2019, aged 70. Simon Wicks (Nick Berry) A teenage heartthrob, Simon Wicks quickly became one of EastEnders' most popular early characters. His love triangles, family feuds, and musical talents earned him a brief pop career – including a No. 1 hit with Every Loser Wins. After leaving the soap in 1990, Nick Berry found further fame in Heartbeat and later ran his own production company. Now 61, he's retired from acting and lives a quiet life away from the spotlight. Dr Legg (Leonard Fenton) One of Albert Square's quietest figures, Dr Legg was a comforting presence through the show's early years. Though he left full-time in 1997, he returned regularly for weddings, funerals, and major moments. His final appearance in 2019, when the character died of pancreatic cancer, gave long-time fans a moving farewell. Leonard Fenton died in 2022, aged 95. Mary Smith (Linda Davidson) Known as 'Mary the Punk,' she was one of the Square's most striking residents: a single mum with bright hair, attitude, and a complicated life. Mary's struggles with parenting and sex work pushed boundaries at the time, but her exit in 1988 came quietly. Linda Davidson left acting in the '90s to work behind the scenes at the BBC and later held executive roles at major digital companies, including the Jamie Oliver Group. Tony Carpenter (Oscar James) As one of the first Black characters on EastEnders, Tony Carpenter made TV history. A builder with a quick temper and a complicated family life, he stayed in Walford for just two years. A fter the soap, Oscar James appeared in everything from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Shakespeare. Now 82, he's retired from acting. Ali Osman (Nejdet Salih) Taxi driver Ali Osman had a turbulent time in Walford, involving gambling problems, money struggles, and the heartbreak of losing his son Hassan. His relationship with Sue was central to the show's early drama. Ali left the Square in 1989, and actor Nejdet Salih made only a few small TV appearances afterward. He later had a role in the Pirates of the Caribbean films and still acts occasionally. Kelvin Carpenter (Paul J. Medford) One of the Square's smartest teens, Kelvin Carpenter balanced school, ambition, and working-class grit. He stood out as a rare positive portrayal of Black youth on '80s TV. Kelvin left in 1987 to go to university, and Paul J. Medford moved into stage roles before transitioning to a successful executive career. Since 2019, he's been a vice-president at Nickelodeon. Debbie Wilkins (Shirley Cheriton) Debbie Wilkins was the Square's arty, middle-class outsider - a university-educated character who stood out among her less academic neighbours. She left in 1987 after a short run and never returned. Actress Shirley Cheriton largely stepped back from the spotlight, but had a handful of roles on stage and TV, including the 2009 comedy FM. She's now 69. Andy O'Brien (Ross Davidson) A mild-mannered nurse, Andy O'Brien made EastEnders history by being the first character ever killed off - in a dramatic road accident in 1986. Actor Ross Davidson later starred in Brookside and Hollyoaks before passing away from brain cancer in 2006, aged 57. Saeed Jeffrey (Andrew Johnson) Saeed Jeffrey, Walford's shopkeeper, had a short and troubled time on the Square. His arranged marriage to Naima and cultural struggles caused controversy both in and outside the show, and he left after just ten months. Actor Andrew Johnson moved to the US, where he appeared in Murder, She Wrote and Inspector Morse, before stepping away from acting. Now 70, his last known screen role was in 2019.


Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards
Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards There were also awards for Doechii and Kendrick Lamar British singer and actress Cynthia Erivo was crowned best actress at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards (Image: Invision ) British singer and actress Cynthia Erivo was crowned best actress at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards in Los Angeles. Hosted by Kevin Hart, Monday's BET Awards celebrated the work of black people in music, entertainment, film, sports and philanthropy. The London-born star, who rose to worldwide prominence last year for her role in Wicked, was also nominated for the BET Her Award - which recognises empowering songs that focus on women - for her rendition of Defying Gravity. Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii used her acceptance speech to sharply criticise US President Donald Trump's handling of protests in Los Angeles. Collecting the award for best female hip-hop artist, she accused the president of "creating fear and chaos" in his response to demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which sparked days of protest across the city. "I do want to address what's happening right now, outside the building," she said. Article continues below "These are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities. In the name of law and order, Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us." Mr Trump announced plans to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to California to quell the protests, which began on Friday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move was "essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States". The decision drew sharp criticism from Democratic politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the move "purposefully inflammatory". London-based girl-group FLO missed out after picking up nominations for best group and the Bet Her award for their track In My Bag, featuring GloRilla. Fellow UK artists Bashy and Ezra Collective earned nominations for best international artist, while multi-genre artist Odeal and R&B singer kwn were shortlisted for best new international act. Kendrick Lamar, who led the pack with 10 nominations, took home awards for album of the year and best male hip-hop artist. He also won video of the year and video director of the year for his hit Not Like Us, as well as best collaboration for Luther, his track with SZA SZA won best female R&B/pop artist, while Chris Brown took home best male R&B/pop artist. Article continues below The evening featured a star-studded cast, including actor Jamie Foxx, with performances by Ashanti, Mariah Carey and GloRilla. Foxx, Carey, gospel star Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg were honoured with the ultimate icon award for their contributions to community, entertainment, and advocacy. Miles Canton, Luke James and Lucky Daye delivered an R&B tribute to Quincy Jones, who died in November.