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BRITS have been urged to check the change in their pockets as experts revealed that three rare types of coin could be worth over £70,000.

Even the most humble coppers could see their value spike a hundred times over thanks to a bizarre mishap.

A trio of rare coins could net you over £70,000
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A trio of rare coins could net you over £70,000Credit: RWS Auctions
Even a single penny could be worth huge amounts
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Even a single penny could be worth huge amountsCredit: PA:Press Association

Every year the Royal Mint churns out more than three billion coins, most of which pass through the hands of the British public.

Among these are any number of special editions, including commemorative issues and other unusual coins worth much more than their face value.

Coin collecting is a popular hobby for many, but can also be extremely lucrative if you come across the right specimens.

Many of these are either exceptionally old or almost impossible to get your hands on.

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But a select few might be more widespread than many might realise.

Chris Yang, co-founder of valuation site , explained that there are a couple of coins still in circulation which could bag you big profit.

First among these is a run of two pence pieces released in 1983 - but with a bit of a twist.

A minting error meant that the reverse side of the coin read "New Pence" rather than "Two Pence".

But the humble piece of copper could, Chris explained, be worth as much as £700 to the right buyer thanks to the mishap.

The second coin is even more recent, though, with a set of 50p pieces minted in 2009 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens.

They bear the former Queen's head on one side and the Gardens' famous Chinese pagoda surrounded by vines on the other.

RARE COINS

Chris told : "Only 210,000 coins were minted, making them one of the most sought-after 50p coins in circulation."

If you do happen to find one, he recommended trying to sell it through eBay, where it could rake in around £200.

However, both of those coins' values are dwarfed by that of the super-rare 1933 George V penny.

What are the most rare and valuable coins?

An entire set of these coins was actually buried beneath the foundations of new buildings throughout the '30s after a massive surplus built up at the Mint.

As a result, they are vanishingly rare and extremely sought after by enthusiasts.

Indeed, Chris reckons they could command a price of up to £72,000 in the right auction.

SELLING YOUR RARE COINS

There are many different factors to consider when trying to value a coin, including its condition and mintage, so it's important to do your homework first.

If you've got a coin that you would like to sell at auction, you can contact .

It has a team of experts who can help you to authenticate and value your coin.

You'll need to enquire via email, and a member of the valuation team will contact get back to you.

Take a picture of your coin and attach this to the email - you can find the details on The Royal Mint's website.

Be aware that you will be charged for this service though - the cost will vary depending on the size of your collection.

If you are looking to buy a coin online through a marketplace such as eBay, it's important to know exactly what you are purchasing.

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This is because anyone can list a coin on eBay and charge whatever amount they wish.

You should also be wary of fakes online - and keep in mind that on eBay a buyer could pull out, which means the coin won't have sold for the price it says it has.

How do I safely store valuable coins?

HERE are some tricks to keep your valuable coins safe from toning:

  • Store your coins in individual containers
  • Put it in a clear, air tight holder that lets you see the coin from both sides
  • Avoid putting them in clear plastic sandwich bags because they can still rub against each other an may cause scratches or marks
  • Store your collection in a folder or album, although tarnishing may occur quicker than in an airtight container
  • Keep them out of a damp environment. You can use silica gel to help prevent damp
  • Wear clean, white gloves when handling the coins
  • Steer clear of using PVC materials as it traps moisture and releases acidic gases which can damage the collection.
A Kew Gardens 50p can go for around £200
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A Kew Gardens 50p can go for around £200
1983 2p pieces are desirable thanks to a minting error
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1983 2p pieces are desirable thanks to a minting errorCredit: RWS Auctions
Hundreds of 1933 George V pennies are buried under London buildings
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Hundreds of 1933 George V pennies are buried under London buildingsCredit: PA:Press Association
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