Britons are being urged to check their loose change to see if they own a rare 50p coin, which could be worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Six years ago, a million special coins to mark the planned Brexit day of October 31, 2019, were melted and recycled as then prime minister Boris Johnson's chances of fast-tracking his deal through Parliament were thwarted.
He was forced to request an extension as the Government arranged for a new batch of coins to be minted, bearing the date January 2020, when Brexit was officially implemented.
It was believed the ones with the wrong exit date were destroyed.
However, two from October 2019, emblazoned with the words "peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations”, have surfaced, in what an auctioneer has compared the discovery of a ‘golden ticket’.
Gregory Edmund, a numismatic specialist from Spink & Son auction house, told the Telegraph: “Ever since the official London Gazette notice for the 2019 Brexit 50 pence has existed, I have wondered if survivors of the one million cancelled coins would one day surface.
“Given the extremely stringent security at the Royal Mint, to suddenly have two examples survive, and be available for study at the same time, is a unique opportunity.”
“This truly feels like my Charlie Bucket moment discovering the numismatic Golden Ticket.”
The Royal Mint is a Government-owned company that produces coins and medals for the UK and other countries.
Mr Edmund, who has urged other owners to contact him at brexit50p@spink.com if they believe they have discovered one of the valuable decimal coins, said this was the first time since 1690 that a coin minted in the UK featuring both the day and year was struck.
Mr Edmund said the coin could fetch more than an astonishing £40,000.
However, a Royal Mint representative told the Standard: “We’re unable to confirm the validity of these coins. We always strongly encourage collectors to do thorough research before purchasing coins from the secondary market.”
