eBay: 'Rare' 50p accidentally released to public SOLD for £127 - could YOU have one?
EBAY is the place to head when it comes to buying, or selling, rare coins. Full of rare collectables, one ‘rare’ coin has sold for a staggering £127, an accidental release of the new Paddington Bear 50p.
Rare coins litter online market place eBay, with the website seeing hundred of users looking to make a pretty penny from their small change, and buyers willing to shell out.
One of these coins that fetched some cash for the seller is a new Paddington Bear 50p coin.
The rare coin was reported to have been accidentally put into circulation ahead of its official release date, an accident made by Royal Mint.
Featuring an engraving of beloved character Paddington Bear, the coin was minted to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the debut book “A Bear Called Paddington”.
Making sure to alert sellers that the coin was an accidental release, the seller listed the coin as a: “Paddington Bear in Paddington Station 2018 rare accidental release.”
eBay: A rare Paddington Bear coin has been sold for £127 - could you have one?
The seller, going by the username of 2137.charlie10, is based in Solihull and has a trustworthy 100 per cent positive feedback.
Giving more information away about the coin, the listing read: “Received in change by mistake looks a great coin and Paddington looks cute no scratches or marks.”
After a bidding war the coin was won by an unnamed seller, who paid a hefty £127 for the coin - 254 times its face value.
The coin was minted this year to celebrate 60 years of British author Michael Bond’s world-famous character, Paddington Bear.
The coin was designed by David Knapton who said on the coin: ““I loved reading the books about Paddington when I was younger, and felt a real sense of nostalgia as I was designing these coins.
Getty Images,eBay/2137.charlie10
“Paddington was part of my childhood, but now he’s being discovered by a whole new generation.
“I wanted to bring his portrait to life and show him in a very realistic environment, so I began with a modern train at Paddington Station, showing Paddington waiting patiently on his suitcase for his new life to begin.”
Since his first appearance in 1958 Paddington has appeared in more than twenty books, television programmes and even feature films.
Ahead of the coin dedicated to Paddington’s release, which was officially this week, some of the coins accidentally made their way into public circulation.
This resulted in many coins selling for much higher prices than they’re initial worth, with one selling for a a jaw-stopping £16,000.
Getty Images,eBay/2137.charlie10
Sold last week ahead of its official release date, the coin had a huge 116 bids on it, raking in a final figure of £16,000.
Listed by eBay user Jordan Mcilquham (“jormcil-6”) from Wales, The listing read: "The only one currently in the UK. Accidental release. Not yet released. Super rare. Mint condition.”
They also revealed where they found the coin, stating: “Found it in my change after a quick shop!”
According to reports from This Is Money Royal Mint demanded the coin, found by a student, be sent back.
Royal Mint was reported to have offered the seller £1,000 for the coin, which he refused and made 16 times more than what was offered.