It’s likely you’re sitting on a fortune as this rare coin is worth more than face value. It’s no secret certain coins are worth a great deal of money, whether it’s the ‘holy grail’ 20p coin or a 50p coin listed for £15,000.
Now it’s time to turn your full attention to a one pound which features a special ‘error’ on the front and it could be hiding in your pocket. Instagram user @CoinCollectingWizard often shares the kind of designs to keep an eye on in posts with his 32,200 followers on his platform and his latest upload is no different.
Recently he advised “check your change carefully” as the ‘fried egg’ error coin is quite valuable among serious collectors.
He said: “Have you ever seen a ‘Fried Egg’ error coin before?
“Collectors go crazy for these odd-looking mistakes where the metal layers don’t quite bond right – giving the coin a fried egg effect.”
The guru continued: “These errors are rare and always valuable to serious collectors.
“Check your change carefully – you might just have one hiding in your collection!”
A £1 ‘fried egg’ is a bi-metallic (two-metal) coin with a minting error where the gold-coloured inner disc is misaligned that makes it look like it’s spilled into the silver outer ring, resembling a fried egg’s runny yolk.
These errors occur during the manufacturing process and make the coin extremely valuable to collectors, with some examples flogging for an eye-watering £100.
How to identify a fried egg error coin in your wallet?
Make sure to look for the spill as this is the most distinctive feature which is the silver inner disc leaking into the gold outer ring.
The inner disc might be off-centre, or there could be stress cracks in the outer rim.
How much is a fried egg coin worth?
These errors are highly sought after by coin collectors given their rarity.
Although the exact value depends on the severity of the error, as well as the coin’s condition, it has been known to sell for over £100.
If you suspect you own one of these coins, it’s always advised to get professional advice.
Only genuine minting faults are valuable so make sure you’re cautious of fake coins found online, which can sometimes happen.
For further information on the authenticity of your rare error coin, you can consult the Royal Mint Museum or websites like Coin Hunter.
