Penny sells for £72,000 and is now the most expensive copper coin in the world
Coin which is one of four in existence sold at auction after fierce battle between two bidders
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A rare one penny piece has been sold for £72,000, smashing the world record for most expensive copper coin.
The Lavrillier Pattern Penny was cast in 1933 and is one of only four ever made.
It was sold at auction by AH Baldwin and Sons on 4 May after a fierce battle between two telephone bidders.
Potential buyers flew into London from Australia, United States and New Zealand to watch the auction as it happened.
The coin is decorated on one side with the likeness of King George V, and on the other with the female spirit Britannia.
Of the four in existence, one of the pattern pennies is kept in the Royal Mint Museum in Wales and the remaining three are privately-owned.
The hefty price tag is “testament to the current strength in British numismatics [the study of coins]”, according to the auction house.
There were only seven 1p coins made in 1933 as the Royal Mint produced a surplus the year before.
In March the world’s most valuable coin was put on public display in London.
The ‘Amon Carter’ Silver Dollar was the first dollar coin to be minted in the United States and has a value of over $10 million.
The world record for the price of a British coin was set when the Edward VIII gold proof sovereign was sold for £516,000 in May 2014.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments