Brits urged to check their 25p coins as rare piece could be worth a staggering £1,700

At first glance, it might look like an ordinary 20p coin, but according to a coin expert, there's much more than what initially meets the eye.

A rare 25 pence piece, which was almost introduced instead of the 20p coin, could be lurking in your change and is reportedly worth a staggering £1,700. At first glance, it might look like an ordinary 20p coin, but according to a coin expert, there's much more than what initially meets the eye.

The Coin Collector UK took to TikTok to share insights about this unusual coin, which was minted as a trial back in 1981, before the introduction of the 20p coin in 1982. It was a toss-up between 20p and 25p at the time, and this coin represents what might have been.

In a video, The Coin Collector revealed: "£1,700 pounds for this trial 25 pence coin. Yes, you heard correctly, this is a 25 pence trial piece. The Royal Mint almost opted for a 25 pence before changing last minute and going with the well-recognized, 20 pence, identical in design to this trial coin."

He went on to say that this rare coin fetched over three times its expected price at auction, selling for a whopping £1,700 pounds when experts had estimated it would go for between £500 to £700.

The Coin Collector also noted the scarcity of these coins in circulation, saying: "There are thought to be no more than 50 of these in circulation and even fewer in nickel brass like this one, which was found by a man in Wiltshire who was lucky enough to find it in his change," he added, reports Lancs Live.

"Trial pieces like this are also often referred to as pattern coins. These are prototype coins, which often never make it into circulation."

"It's this rarity factor that gives them such a high price on the collector's market. So get checking your 20 pence coins.

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