Rare 2p coin put in hospital donation could fetch £1k
- Published
All 2p coins struck between 1971 and 1981 have the words 'NEW PENCE' rather than 'TWO PENCE' on their reverse
A two pence donation left in a collection box at a hospital in Reading is expected to raise a four-figure sum for the hospital's trust.
The 1971 coin, which is silver in colour rather than bronze, was found in a donation box used for unwanted foreign currency.
The Royal Berkshire Hospital hopes the unusual coin will raise more than £1,000 in an online auction.
The highest bidder will be announced at 12:00 BST on 19 July.
Last year, a silver 2p coin found in a new packet of coins minted in 1988 by the owner of a petrol station in Poole, sold at Charterhouse auction house in Sherborne, Dorset for £1,200.
Silver-coloured coins can be mistakenly struck if a cupro-nickel blank is left inside a barrel during the minting process.
Donations made to the collection box are used to purchase equipment and fund medical research at the hospital.