2016-07-30 Sat

In 1933, only seven penny coins were produced by Royal Mint since they were already in large numbers in those days, making it the rarest British coin of the 20th century. Special requests for a commemorative coin to mark the year were made. One of these coins is going to be sold at an auction in Dallas, Texas o 11th August. The coin in brilliant condition with a dark brown tinge features King George V on one side and Britannia on the other.

They were to be placed under foundation stones of important buildings under construction. Two are in the Royal Mint Museum and the British Museum and two are with private collectors. One of the coins was stolen in 1970, during construction at the Church of St. Cross, Middleton, Leeds. The Bishop of Ripon ordered that another penny at St Mary's Church in Leeds should be unearthed and sold to prevent it being stolen too.

Four pattern prototypes of the 1933 penny were also made. One of these sold for a record £72,000. The online bid value of this coin with a total estimate of £115,000, stands at £72,600, two weeks before the auction.