Time is money in Britain after Royal Mint error
An error by the Royal Mint in Britain has seen the issue of tens of
thousands of 'dateless' 20 pence coins, driving their value up to 50
pounds (60 euros, 80 dollars) each, a collector said Monday.
There are believed to be between 50,000 and 200,000 of the coins,
worth 24 euro cents or 33 US cents, in circulation, all of them missing
the stamped 2009 date which was supposed to appear on the back of the
coin.
It was the first time an undated coin has entered circulation in more
than 300 years. The last such error occurred in 1672 under the reign of
Charles II.
Describing the mistake as 'incredibly rare', the Royal Mint, the
institution responsible for making Britain's notes and coins, said the
error occurred last year during a redesign of every denomination of
coin. The old 20 pence coin had the date on the front of the coin, but
the updated version was supposed to shift the date to the other side.
However, the coins were minted using an old version of the side of
the coin featuring Queen Elizabeth II's head which does not carry the
year.
The London Mint Office, a private company specializing in collectable
coins which has no link to the Royal Mint, is now offering anyone who
has one of the dateless coins the chance to cash in, and he is willing
to pay up to 50 pounds.
Nick Hart, a spokesman for the London Mint Office, said: "Mistakes
like this not only fascinate people but also have considerable value and
increase the significance (of the coin)."
LONDON, AFP |