A RARE silver two pence coin that was dropped into a Royal British Legion (RBL) collection pot in Malmesbury, has been sold for nearly £1,500.
Last November during the RBL’s poppy appeal, a collection tin was found to contain a silver 2p.
It was thought to be a fake however, so was taken to Lloyds Bank to be destroyed.
Staff there found out it might be a minting error and worth much more than face value.
The coin was duly sent to the Royal Mint, who examined it using x-ray fluorescence spectrometry and confirmed that a blank 10p was incorrectly put in a 2p mint.
Charles Vernon, Malmesbury RBL branch manager, said: “Our branch instructed Charterhouse to auction it.
“But RBL’s head office contacted the Westminster Collection, one of our corporate partners, who have agreed to buy it for £1,350.
“The auctioneers have agreed to return the coin without charge.”
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