A number of the rarest and most valuable UK stamps and coins have been revealed – and some are worth over half a million pounds.
The money team from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have researched and revealed eight stamps and coins that could earn owners a small fortune, but some are so rare the likelihood of finding one is remote.
While stamp and coin collecting may be seen by many as an outdated hobby and ones without much benefit, but there are a number of collectibles that can earn owners a small fortune.
Which stamps are the most valuable?
Stamps from the Victorian era are some of the most valuable, with certain varieties worth as much as £21,000.
Which coins are the most valuable?
Many coins are also worth much more than their original value, including the 1937 Edward VIII Brass Threepence, which could fetch an astonishing £45,000 today.
What have researchers said?
A spokesperson for NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Coins and stamps are probably some of the more obscure objects to collect nowadays, but it can still be a lucrative hobby.
“Most often it’s commemorative pieces or varieties with errors or misprints that become so heavily sought after, purely because they’re so rare.
“In other cases, it’s a set of coins or stamps that were the first of their kind, or perhaps varieties that were never officially released into circulation, but were only produced as prototypes.
“The stamps and coins we’ve listed here are some of the rarest and therefore the most valuable UK varieties, but there are plenty of others that will still fetch a substantial profit if you happen to have one hidden away somewhere.”
Here are some of the most expensive stamps in the UK:
Stamps:
- 1. Penny Black – potential value: £348,000
The British Penny Black is coveted among stamp collectors.
Run-of-the-mill Penny Black stamps could be had for around £40, but the most sought-after are much more expensive, even as much as £45,000.
In June 2011, a Penny Black from the first registration sheets created in 1840 sold for around £348,000 ($560,000).
- 2. Plate 77 Penny Red – potential value: £550,000
A rare version of this particular design sold for a colossal price in 2012 – £550,000!
Around two billion of the Penny Reds were printed for issue, but arguably the most valuable are those printed from plate 77.
The test sheets of the Penny Red from plate 77 contained imperfections but despite this, several from the batch made it into circulation.
It’s been confirmed that four mint conditions of the stamps and five used versions are the only ones in existence.
- 3. Roses Error Stamp – potential value: £130,000
These stamps were produced in 1978 and due to an error, the 13p postage price failed to get printed on the stamp.
What was 13p is now worth a staggering £130,000 as there are only three of them in the world – although the Queen is said to own to two of them and a private collector the third, so it’s unlikely you’ll get ever your hands on this particular rare stamp.
- 4. Brown Lilac Stamp – potential value: £21,000
Stamps from the Victorian era are often some of the most rare and valuable, like the Brown Lilac Stamp.
Issued in 1883, the £1 Brown Lilac Stamp is now considered one of the rarest.
Ones with the original gum adhesive on the back are worth the most – as much as £21,000.
Here are some of the most expensive coins in the UK:
Coins:
- 1. 1937 Edward VIII Brass Threepence – potential value: £45,000
This coin was made to commemorate King Edward VIII’s rise to the throne before he famously abdicated.
While commemorative Royal China was mass-produced to honour the new King, hardly any coins with his head on were created.
In fact, it is estimated only 5-10 were made. As a result, these coins are valued at around £45,000 each.
- 2. 1933 George V Penny – potential value: £72,000
Arguably the most famous British coin is the 1933 penny.
Four ‘pattern’ versions that were presented as a prototype but never went into production are particularly valuable – one sold for a staggering £72,000 at a London auction in 2016.
- 3. Football European Championship £2 – potential value: £1,700
England hosted the UEFA European Football Championship in 1966, and despite missing out on a spot in the finals, a coin was minted to commemorate the occasion.
Just over 2,000 of them were made and they’re highly collectable. However, there is a selection of this coin that feature an incorrect date and a flat surface.
This version of the coin is extremely rare and is worth around £1,700.
- 4. 1973 European Economic Community 50p – potential value: £3,000
This 50 pence piece is highly recognisable – it features a ring of hands enveloping the text ‘1973 50 pence’.
Only a few of these coins were made, which were presented to finance ministers and Senior Officials of the EEC when England joined. It’s now worth about £3,000.
