UK error coins

7 error coins and 147 known varieties of individual designs, from 1p to £2, with what each one sells for.

Error coins
7
Known varieties
147
Designs with varieties
120

UK error coins list

Every error coin with its own entry, by year of issue, with its value and a link to how to spot it.

  1. Prince of Wales's feathers in a coronet with ICH DIEN below, reading NEW PENCE above and 2 below, in a beaded border
    Photo: The Royal Mint, 1983

    New Pence 1983 2p

    1983, Error

    Not issued for circulation
    Issued
    Not issued for circulation
    Value
    £800
  2. 1987Bronze20p

    Bronze 20p

    1987, Error

    Mintage not published
    Mintage
    Not published
    Value
    £170
  3. Lower right section of the Royal Shield of Arms with its lions and TWENTY PENCE on the rim, and no date
    Photo: The Royal Mint, 2008

    Undated 20p

    2008, Error

    Mintage not published
    Mintage
    Not published
    Value
    £60
  4. Swimmer face down in rippling water with wave lines running across the face, London 2012 logo above
    Photo: The Royal Mint, 2011

    Aquatics (lines over face) 50p

    2011, London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sports, Error

    Not issued for circulation
    Issued
    Not issued for circulation
    Value
    £1,275
  5. Lord Kitchener pointing straight at the viewer over YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU, with the date 2014 at the bottom
    Photo: The Royal Mint, 2014

    Lord Kitchener Mule £2

    2014, Error

    Mintage not published
    Mintage
    Not published
    Value
    £1,000
  6. Helmeted Britannia facing left with trident and Union flag shield, the standard reverse of the 2015 inverted effigy £2
    Photo: The Royal Mint, 2015

    Britannia Inverted Effigy £2

    2015, Error

    Mintage not published
    Mintage
    Not published
    Value
    £50
  7. Rose, leek, thistle and shamrock rising from a coronet, with ONE POUND below
    Photo: The Royal Mint, 2016

    Nations of the Crown Dual-Dated £1

    2016, Error

    Mintage not published
    Mintage
    Not published
    Value
    £1,450

Known varieties by design

147 varieties across 120 designs, listed from 1p to £2 and by year, each linked to its design.

  • Crowned portcullis (ONE PENNY) 1p
    • Dot rivets and circle rivetsThe bolts where the portcullis bars cross are raised dots on one reverse die and sunken circles on another. Dots appear on coins of 1982 to 1994 and 2007 to 2008, circles on coins of 1992 to 2007. In several years the circulation coins and the set coins used different types.
    • Border bead countThree reverse bead counts exist (110, 113 and 109 beads), which change where the P of PENNY and the numeral 1 point against the beads. Coins of 1998 to 1999 have 113 reverse beads and coins of 2000 to 2008 have 109.
    • 1992 bronze set coinThe 1992 1p from proof and brilliant uncirculated sets is bronze and not magnetic; every 1992 circulation 1p is magnetic copper-plated steel.
  • Hazel Dormouse 1p
    • Tudor Crown privy mark (2023 sets)The 2023 coins in brilliant uncirculated and proof sets carry a Tudor Crown privy mark on the obverse; circulation coins do not.
  • Prince of Wales Feathers (NEW PENCE) 2p
    • Silver coloured 2p (wrong blank)A 2p struck on a blank meant for another coin, such as a cupro-nickel 10p, comes out silver coloured. Examples are known dated 1971 to 1981. Silver proof 2p coins from sets are not this error.
  • Prince of Wales Feathers (TWO PENCE) 2p
    • 1993 reverse modificationTwo slightly different reverses exist for 1993; the easiest difference to see is the shape of the P in PENCE.
    • Bronze or steel in 1992, 1998 and 1999A magnet separates them: 1992 bronze coins come only from sets, 1998 circulation coins were struck in both metals, and 1999 bronze coins come only from proof and brilliant uncirculated sets.
    • Silver coloured 2p (wrong blank)A 2p struck on a blank meant for another coin, such as a 10p, comes out silver coloured. Examples are known dated from 1982 to 2008. Silver proof 2p coins from sets are not this error.
  • Royal Shield 2p
    • Silver coloured 2p (wrong blank)A 2p struck on a blank meant for another coin, such as a 10p, comes out silver coloured. Examples are known dated from 2008 to 2018. Silver proof 2p coins from sets are not this error.
  • Red Squirrel 2p
    • Tudor Crown privy mark (2023 sets)The 2023 coins in brilliant uncirculated and proof sets carry a Tudor Crown privy mark on the obverse.
  • Crowned thistle (small) 5p
    • 1990 rounded and square edges1990 5p coins come with two distinct edge profiles, one rounded (also called a wired edge) and one much squarer.
    • Set coin die differencesBrilliant uncirculated set coins dated 1990 to 2008 show minor reverse die differences from circulation coins.
  • Royal Shield 5p
    • 2008 rotated dieSome 2008 Royal Shield 5p coins have the reverse turned against the obverse, up to 180 degrees so the reverse is upside down.
    • Cupro-nickel or nickel-plated steelCoins dated 2008 to 2010 are cupro-nickel and not magnetic; coins dated 2011 onwards are nickel-plated steel and magnetic.
  • Oak Leaf 5p
    • Tudor Crown privy mark (2023 sets)The 2023 coins in brilliant uncirculated and proof sets carry a Tudor Crown privy mark on the obverse; circulation coins do not.
  • Crowned Lion (NEW PENCE) 10p
    • Obverse bead countObverse dies of 1968 to 1977 have 151 border beads and those of 1978 to 1981 have 147; the reverse has 152 beads throughout.
  • Crowned Lion (small) 10p
    • 1992 rim and bead alignmentMinor 1992 varieties exist in the shape of the rim and in how the letters and numbers line up with the border beads; a couple of these types are scarce.
    • 2005 position of the 1 in 10Two reverse dies were used in 2005, and possibly 2006, differing in where the digit 1 of the numeral 10 sits against the rim beads. Both are common.
    • 2009 lion reverse muleA 2009-dated coin struck by mistake with this older lion reverse. Only two or three are known.
  • Capercaillie 10p
    • 2023 Tudor crown privy markThe 2023 coins in brilliant uncirculated and proof sets have a small Tudor crown privy mark on the obverse beside the portrait. Coins released for circulation do not.
  • Crowned Rose 20p
    • 1992 small head and large headThe Maklouf portrait was enlarged slightly during 1992, so 1992 coins exist with both portrait sizes. The large head is the harder one to find.
    • 2000 to 2002 curved 2Some 2000, 2001 and 2002 coins have a digit 2 that ends in a curved drop rather than a straight line.
    • 2008 missing leafSome 2008 coins are missing part of one leaf, most likely from worn dies.
    • Bronze coloured strikeA few coins of this design were struck by mistake on bronze blanks instead of cupro-nickel.
  • Royal Shield 20p
    • Upside-down 1 die breakA reverse die break on some 2008, 2009 and possibly 2010 coins looks like an upside-down 1 in the middle of the raised rim at the bottom of the reverse.
    • 2022 40th anniversary mint markBrilliant uncirculated 2022 coins carry a small 40 below the portrait for the 20p's 40th anniversary; none were made for circulation.
    • Undated muleSome coins struck in 2008 paired this reverse with the old obverse, so they carry no date anywhere.
  • Puffin 20p
    • 2023 Tudor crown privy markThe 2023 coins in brilliant uncirculated and proof sets have a small Tudor crown privy mark on the obverse beside the portrait. Coins struck for circulation do not.
  • Britannia (NEW PENCE) 50p
    • 2019 small-size reissueThe NEW PENCE reverse was struck again dated 2019 on the small 27.3 mm coin with the fifth portrait, for the brilliant uncirculated 50 Years of the 50p sets. Not issued for circulation.
  • EEC Hands 50p
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009 on the small 27.3 mm coin, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • EEC Presidency and Single Market 50p
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009 on the small 27.3 mm coin, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • D-Day 50p
    • 2019 small-size reissueThe design was struck again dated 2019 on the small 27.3 mm coin with the fifth portrait, for the brilliant uncirculated 50 Years of the 50p sets. Not issued for circulation.
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009 on the small 27.3 mm coin, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • Britannia (small) 50p
    • 2009 set-only strikeDated 2009 with the fourth portrait and struck only for collector sets, among them the 16-coin set marking 40 years of the 50p. The Royal Mint's mintage table lists no 2009 circulation strike.
  • European Union 50p
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • NHS 50p
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • Public Libraries 50p
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • Suffragettes 50p
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • Roger Bannister 50p
    • 2019 reissueStruck again dated 2019 with the fifth portrait for the brilliant uncirculated 50 Years of the 50p sets. Not issued for circulation.
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • Johnson's Dictionary 50p
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • Victoria Cross (medal) 50p
    • 2019 reissueStruck again dated 2019 with the fifth portrait for the brilliant uncirculated 50 Years of the 50p sets. Not issued for circulation.
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • Victoria Cross (heroic acts) 50p
    • 2019 reissueStruck again dated 2019 with the fifth portrait for the brilliant uncirculated 50 Years of the 50p sets. Not issued for circulation.
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • Scouts 50p
    • 2019 reissueStruck again dated 2019 with the fifth portrait for the brilliant uncirculated 50 Years of the 50p sets. Not issued for circulation.
    • 2009 anniversary set reissueStruck again dated 2009, with Ian Rank-Broadley's portrait, for the 16-coin set issued in October 2009 to mark 40 years of the 50p, in cupro-nickel and as silver proof, gold proof and gold piedfort. Not issued for circulation.
  • Royal Shield 50p
    • 2022 privy-mark versionsBrilliant uncirculated 2022 versions with a star privy mark and with a 26-22 privy mark were sold in sets; not issued for circulation.
  • Kew Gardens 50p
    • 2019 reissueStruck again dated 2019 with the fifth portrait for the brilliant uncirculated 50 Years of the 50p sets. Not issued for circulation.
  • Girlguiding 50p
    • 2019 reissueStruck again dated 2019 with the fifth portrait for the brilliant uncirculated 50 Years of the 50p sets. Not issued for circulation.
  • Battle of Britain 50p
    • Fourth portrait, no denominationThe 2015 brilliant uncirculated and proof annual-set coins carry Ian Rank-Broadley's fourth portrait and have no denomination anywhere on the coin; not issued for circulation.
    • 2019 reissueDated 2019 with the fifth portrait, sold only in the 50 Years of the 50p British Military set and as a single brilliant uncirculated coin.
  • Battle of Hastings 50p
    • 2019 reissueDated 2019 on the obverse, sold only in the 50 Years of the 50p British Military set and as a single brilliant uncirculated coin.
  • Isaac Newton 50p
    • 2018 Royal Mint Experience strikeDated 2018 and struck by visitors at the Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant; 20,826 were made. Not issued for circulation.
  • Brexit 50p
    • 31 March 2019 trialAbout 1,000 were struck with the original leaving date and melted down; only about 10 survive.
    • 31 October 2019 trialAbout 1,000,000 struck with the second leaving date; almost all were melted down.
  • Christopher Robin 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint, with an issue limit of 45,000; 19,178 were made.
  • Hylaeosaurus 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint, with an issue limit of 50,000; 23,847 were made.
  • Iguanodon 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint, with an issue limit of 50,000; 26,470 were made.
  • Megalosaurus 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint; 27,830 were made.
  • Piglet 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint, with an issue limit of 45,000; 19,069 were made.
  • Team GB (Tokyo 2020) 50p
    • 2021-dated obverseIssued on its own in 2021 after the Games were postponed; the reverse still reads 2020 and the obverse is dated 2021. A colour-printed brilliant uncirculated version was also sold.
  • The Snowman 50p
    • Colour editionThe first colour-printed brilliant uncirculated Snowman 50p, sold only by The Royal Mint; 8,513 were made.
  • Winnie the Pooh 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint, with an issue limit of 45,000; 27,217 were made.
  • Decimal Day 50p
    • Machin portrait editionA brilliant uncirculated edition struck with Arnold Machin's second portrait of the Queen on the obverse, sold separately from the fifth-portrait coin.
  • Dimorphodon 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint; 10,354 were made.
  • Owl 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint, with an issue limit of 45,000; 11,147 were made.
  • Plesiosaurus 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint; 10,364 were made.
  • Temnodontosaurus 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint; 10,694 were made.
  • The Snowman 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 10,000 sold singly plus 1,500 in an advent calendar; 11,577 were made.
  • Tigger 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint, with an issue limit of 45,000; 12,895 were made.
  • Winnie the Pooh and Friends 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint, with an issue limit of 45,000; 13,335 were made.
  • Commonwealth Games Birmingham 50p
    • Home nation colour editionsFour colour-printed brilliant uncirculated editions for Team England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each with a privy mark, sold singly from 20 June 2022. About 7,425 of the England coin and about 5,000 of each of the others were made.
  • Eeyore 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint; 12,098 were made.
  • Harry Potter 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition; 35,725 were made.
  • Hogwarts Express 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition; 27,885 were made.
  • Kanga and Roo 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint, with a maximum mintage of 12,500; 11,244 were made.
  • Platinum Jubilee 50p
    • Equestrian obverseThe brilliant uncirculated coin sold on its own pairs the same reverse with a special obverse of the Queen on horseback; 396,460 were made. Only the fifth-portrait strike was issued for circulation.
  • Pride 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed rainbow brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint; 33,825 were made.
  • The Snowman and The Snowdog 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, also sold in a Christmas advent calendar; 9,556 were made.
  • Winnie the Pooh and Friends 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint; 12,234 were made.
  • Albus Dumbledore 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint.
  • Atlantic Salmon 50p
    • Tudor crown privy mark2023 coins in the brilliant uncirculated definitive set, proof sets and first-strike packs carry a small Tudor crown privy mark; the circulation strike does not.
    • 2026 Royal Mint Experience privy markA 2026 strike carries a privy mark for the 10th anniversary of the Royal Mint Experience.
  • Coronation of King Charles III 50p
    • Crowned portraitThe brilliant uncirculated coin sold in packs from 24 April 2023 carries a unique crowned portrait of the King and was not issued for circulation; 198,456 were made. The circulation strike carries the uncrowned portrait.
  • Star Wars Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 20,010.
  • Hogwarts 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint.
  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 10,000.
  • Star Wars Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 20,010.
  • Star Wars R2-D2 and C-3PO 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint.
  • The Snowman 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 10,000.
  • 75 Years of the Windrush Generation 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold singly from June 2023, with an issue limit of 10,000.
  • Harry Potter The Black Lake 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition in a limited presentation of 20,000.
  • Star Wars Death Star II 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition in a limited presentation of 20,010.
  • Diplodocus 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint.
  • Giant Deer 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 10,000.
  • The Gruffalo's Child 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 25,000.
  • Star Wars Han Solo and Chewbacca 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 20,010.
  • Star Wars Millennium Falcon 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint.
  • 200 Years of the RNLI 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition was issued singly from 5 February 2024.
  • Stegosaurus 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint.
  • Steppe Mammoth 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 10,000.
  • Team GB and ParalympicsGB 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition issued singly on 2 July 2024, with a maximum mintage of 13,250.
  • The Snowman 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition in a limited presentation of 20,000, plus an advent calendar edition limited to 3,000.
  • Star Wars TIE Fighter 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint.
  • Tyrannosaurus 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint.
  • Harry Potter The Winged Keys 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition in a limited presentation of 20,000.
  • Woolly Rhinoceros 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 10,000.
  • Star Wars X-Wing 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 20,000.
  • Harry Potter The Flying Car 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 10,000.
  • Mary Poppins 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 10,000.
  • Monopoly 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 15,000 sold singly plus 2,500 in an advent calendar.
    • Strike Your Own designA separate, simpler reverse by Emma Noble showing Mr Monopoly leaping over the GO sign, with the Monopoly board behind and ©HASBRO / GO, struck only as a Strike Your Own coin at the Royal Mint Experience.
  • Harry Potter The Patronus 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 10,000.
  • Red Arrows 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition with red, white and blue trails, with an issue limit of 12,500.
  • The Snowman 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition in a limited presentation of 12,500, plus an advent calendar edition limited to 3,500.
  • Zog 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition.
  • 50 Years of Aardman 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 12,503.
  • Dennis the Menace 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint.
  • Game of Thrones Fire 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint.
  • Game of Thrones Ice 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold by The Royal Mint.
  • 100 Years of the Grand Prix in Britain 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition with the Union Flag in colour.
  • The Lord of the Rings The One Ring 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 20,010.
  • Star Trek Live Long and Prosper 50p
    • Colour editionColour-printed editions show swirling blue and purple nebulas.
  • Star Trek Spacecraft 50p
    • Colour editionColour-printed editions show swirling blue and purple nebulas.
  • Wicked 50p
    • Colour editionColour-printed editions use the show's green and pink palette.
  • Winnie the Pooh Friendship 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint, with an issue limit of 15,001.
  • Winnie the Pooh Kindness 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition, with an issue limit of 15,001.
  • Winnie the Pooh Loyalty 50p
    • Colour editionA colour-printed brilliant uncirculated edition sold only by The Royal Mint, with an issue limit of 15,001.
  • Leek £1
    • Edge without apostropheSome coins have the apostrophe missing from the edge inscription PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD.
  • Royal Shield £1
    • Fifth portraitDated 2015 and 2016 with the Jody Clark portrait, struck only for brilliant uncirculated sets and never issued for circulation.
  • Cardiff £1
    • Rotated dieThe reverse is turned about 135 degrees against the obverse. One was found in July 2017 and confirmed as a genuine striking error by The Royal Mint Museum.
  • Nations of the Crown £1
    • Cross crosslet mint mark (2016)A small cross crosslet under the left side of the crown. It appears only on 2016 coins from the Royal Mint pack that paired the first 12-sided £1 with the last round pound; 9,850 were made.
    • Edge milling orientationHold the coin with the portrait upright and the latent image at the bottom. Most coins have a milled section just right of the lowest point; a scarcer type has it just left. Found on 2016, 2017 and 2018 coins.
    • Unplated innerThe whole coin is gold-coloured, with no silver-coloured nickel-plated centre, most likely because it missed the plating stage. One sold in August 2021.
    • Strike errorsPartial collar strikes, and coins with the inner section out of line with the outer ring, are known in small numbers.
  • Bees £1
    • Tudor crown privy mark (2023)Brilliant uncirculated and proof coins dated 2023 carry a Tudor crown privy mark beside the portrait; coins issued for circulation do not.
    • Single-metal errorA coin struck in one metal instead of two colours. One was found at a Post Office in Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria, and later sold at auction.
  • Technology £2
    • Misaligned centreThe centre was out of line when the coin was struck, so the inner metal spills into the outer ring.
  • Gunpowder Plot £2
    • PEMEMBER edgeWorn coins can read PEMEMBER, PEMEMBEP or NOVEMEBEP on the edge, because the R looks like a P. This is wear, not a minting error: the down-stroke of the R lines up with the edge milling. Coins from presentation packs show a smoother edge.
  • Abolition of the Slave Trade £2
    • DG initialsBrilliant uncirculated, proof and piedfort strikes carry the designer's initials DG to the right of the 7 in 1807; circulation coins do not.
  • First World War Royal Navy £2
    • Fourth portraitA 2015 Royal Navy £2 with the fourth portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley was sold only in brilliant uncirculated packs and sets; circulation coins carry the fifth portrait.
    • Flag on the mastSome circulation coins show a small flag at the top of the mast, caused by a cracked die rather than a change to the design.
  • Magna Carta £2
    • Fourth portraitA 2015 Magna Carta £2 with the fourth portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley was sold only in brilliant uncirculated packs and sets; circulation coins carry the fifth portrait.
  • H.G. Wells £2
    • Wide outer ringStruck on a blank with a noticeably thicker yellow outer ring than normal.
  • National flowers £2
    • Crown privy markThe 2023-dated brilliant uncirculated coins carry a small crown privy mark on the obverse, and dealers list them separately from later dates.
  • Duchess of Hamilton £2
    • Colour editionA limited-edition brilliant uncirculated coin with selective colouring, sold in a Royal Mint coloured BU pack.

How to check a coin for errors

  • Date. Every UK coin carries a date on one face. A coin with none on either face, like the undated 20p, is a mule.
  • Wording. Read the value in words against the year. The 1983 2p error reads NEW PENCE, the wording 2p coins carried before TWO PENCE replaced it.
  • Metal and colour. A coin in the wrong colour for its value was struck on the wrong blank, such as a 20p in bronze. Most 1p and 2p coins dated 1992 or later are copper-plated steel and stick to a magnet; bronze ones do not.
  • Alignment. Turn the coin over from side to side: both faces should sit the same way up. A face turned at an angle to the other is a rotated die.
  • Edge. On £1 and £2 coins with edge lettering, check that the lettering is there and complete.

Error coin questions

What is the most valuable UK error coin?

The most valuable UK error coin is the Nations of the Crown Dual-Dated £1, typically £1,450 in circulated condition. Next is the Aquatics (lines over face) 50p, typically £1,275 in uncirculated condition. Values were checked in September 2026.

How many UK error coins are there?

There are 7 error coins with their own entry here: the New Pence 1983 2p, the Bronze 20p, the Undated 20p, the Aquatics (lines over face) 50p, the Lord Kitchener Mule £2, the Britannia Inverted Effigy £2 and the Nations of the Crown Dual-Dated £1. A further 147 known varieties are recorded across 120 designs.

What is a mule coin?

A mule is a coin struck with two dies that were never meant to be used together. The best known in the UK is the undated 20p of 2008, which paired the new reverse with the old obverse, so neither side carries a date.

Is upside-down writing on the edge of a £2 coin an error?

No. The edge lettering goes on the blank before the coin is struck, so it can sit either way up against the portrait. A £2 with no edge lettering at all is a true error.