Non-magnetic British 2p and 1p

[Guest derekbarrier]

I am asking this question on behalf of my local Rotary Club. We are undertaking a charity collection, and have been given some 2p and 1p coins which the donor told us "were worth much more than face value as they were older non-magnetic."

I am trying to clarify if there is any truth here - any benefit would be for charity.

2p. Some marked New Pence and some Two Pence. (There are not any 1983 New pence ones here!!) Range of dates - from 1970's to 2000 ish.

1p. Again, some marked New Penny and some One Penny. range of dates.

Can anyone help here - are we likley to ahve anything of value - if so, what are the distinguishing features qwe should look for - or was our donor mislead??

Thanks

[Red Riley]

I am asking this question on behalf of my local Rotary Club. We are undertaking a charity collection, and have been given some 2p and 1p coins which the donor told us "were worth much more than face value as they were older non-magnetic."

I am trying to clarify if there is any truth here - any benefit would be for charity.

2p. Some marked New Pence and some Two Pence. (There are not any 1983 New pence ones here!!) Range of dates - from 1970's to 2000 ish.

1p. Again, some marked New Penny and some One Penny. range of dates.

Can anyone help here - are we likley to ahve anything of value - if so, what are the distinguishing features qwe should look for - or was our donor mislead??

Thanks

In a word, no. Technically, the bronze (pre-1998) 1p/2p pieces may be worth slightly more than face value when melted down, but it is (I believe) illegal and you'd have to have several tons, and what's more, persuade somebody a little bit 'the other side of the law' to take them off your hands in order to make a probably miniscule profit!

What I would suggest is that when you empty your charity buckets, keep an eye out for undated new type 20p's and then flog them on e-bay immediately, the price is falling all the time. And finally... probably what you were referring to with this New Penny/Penny thing is the 1983 2p; some were erroneously minted with 'New Pence' as opposed to 'Pence', but none have yet been found outside the official year sets, so finding one would be at lottery winning odds, but still worth only £400 or so if you did!

Hope this is helpful, and best of luck with your collection.

[Guest derekbarrier]

I am asking this question on behalf of my local Rotary Club. We are undertaking a charity collection, and have been given some 2p and 1p coins which the donor told us "were worth much more than face value as they were older non-magnetic."

I am trying to clarify if there is any truth here - any benefit would be for charity.

2p. Some marked New Pence and some Two Pence. (There are not any 1983 New pence ones here!!) Range of dates - from 1970's to 2000 ish.

1p. Again, some marked New Penny and some One Penny. range of dates.

Can anyone help here - are we likley to ahve anything of value - if so, what are the distinguishing features qwe should look for - or was our donor mislead??

Thanks

In a word, no. Technically, the bronze (pre-1998) 1p/2p pieces may be worth slightly more than face value when melted down, but it is (I believe) illegal and you'd have to have several tons, and what's more, persuade somebody a little bit 'the other side of the law' to take them off your hands in order to make a probably miniscule profit!

What I would suggest is that when you empty your charity buckets, keep an eye out for undated new type 20p's and then flog them on e-bay immediately, the price is falling all the time. And finally... probably what you were referring to with this New Penny/Penny thing is the 1983 2p; some were erroneously minted with 'New Pence' as opposed to 'Pence', but none have yet been found outside the official year sets, so finding one would be at lottery winning odds, but still worth only £400 or so if you did!

Hope this is helpful, and best of luck with your collection.

Thanks for thenhyelpful advice.