A rare £2 coin has sold on eBay for £255 due to a design error that makes it appear all one colour.
A regular £2 piece has a yellow metal nickel-brass ring on the outside, with a grey cupro-nickel disc in the middle.
But this rare coin that sold recently is all yellow - and the impressive sale prices means the £2 was cashed in for around 127 times its face value.
The coin, which is dated 2009, sold for £255 exactly on the e-commerce site after attracting a flurry of 28 bids across a seven-day auction, reports the Mirror.
The listing said: "Error 2 pound coin. Found in change, all gold in colour no silver centre."
Members of Coin Hunter - a community dedicated to collecting coins - previously told The Mirror that this type of error is known as a “yellow” £2 coin. If you find one, it could be worth up to £500.
The experts say it is unclear how many of this particular error coin could be in circulation. They're so sought-after by collectors because they are hard to come by, and in some cases, they can be a complete one-off.
The Royal Mint manufactures between three million and four million coins a day. So, even with strict quality measures in place, it’s not unthinkable that the odd error on a coin makes it out into circulation.
However, it’s important to recognise the difference between an imperfection on a coin, such as where the design isn’t as clearly stamped on the coin as you’d expect, and an error like an incorrect date or the wrong metal being used.
When looking to buy a rare coin on eBay, you should always be wary and do your research first before buying, as there are fakes floating around.
Websites and Facebook groups from change experts like Coin Hunter can help you work out if a coin is the real deal or not. You can also ask the Royal Mint to verify coins.
The seller of the “yellow” £2 coin admitted in the description of his eBay listing that the coin had not been verified by the Royal Mint - but this didn't deter bidders.
If you have come across a rare coin and wish to sell it online, also be aware that there isn't a guarantee for how much you could get on eBay, unless you set a reserve price.
Coins are really only worth what someone is willing to pay for them.
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