A rare 5p coin has sold for more than 500 times its face value thanks to a bizarre error.
The 5p piece, minted in 2008, fetched more than £26 at an online auction with coin collectors eager to get their hands on the coin.
The item is mis-struck, meaning it was incorrectly imprinted while being minted, and so the image of Queen Elizabeth II’s head appears upside down.
The listing image shows upside down side portrait compared to a regular 5p leaving the seller to describe it as a ‘rare, unique and valuable collectible’.
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The listing reads: “Rare 5p coin from 2008 featuring Queen Elizabeth II with a mis-strike error where the obverse is inverted.
“This error coin is a unique and valuable collectible for coin enthusiasts and collectors alike.
“The 5p denomination adds to its significance as a smaller and less frequently minted coin, making it a desirable addition to any coin collection.
“The last picture shows it in comparison to a normal coin on the right.”
The coin’s other face correctly displays the centre of the Royal Shield, with 2008 being the first year it appeared.
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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.
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.