CASH IN THE ATTIC

EVERY week TOBY WALNE gives the low-down on the value of forgotten treasures that may be gathering dust in your attic.

THE Government has abandoned plans to ditch copper coins. Welcomed by many who baulk at a cashless society, it should act as a reminder to rummage through any small change in case you are in possession of a hidden treasure.

A small batch of 2p coins minted in 1983 had the words ‘new pence’ instead of ‘two pence’ on one side. They’re now worth £500.

Some more recent limited editions can be worth more than face value. A Paddington Bear 50p is being launched this month – with experts believing it could be worth as much as £10.

A Kew Gardens 50p minted in 2009 to mark its 250th anniversary regularly changes hands for £50.

Anomalies – where coins go into circulation with mistakes – are always in demand. These are commonly known as ‘mules’ as they have mismatched sides. A batch of up to 100,000 twenty pence coin ‘mules’ got into circulation between 2008 and 2009 without the date stamp and these now fetch £100.