Play all audios:
FROM SPECIFIC YEARS TO SPECIAL DESIGNS AND RARE MISTAKES, HERE'S HOW TO SPOT IF YOU HAVE A SOUGHT-AFTER 1P IN YOUR POSSESSION 09:21, 27 May 2025 Budding coin collectors may already be
checking the higher value coins in their change - but according to the experts, it's worth examining your pennies too. While the humble 1p may not usually get a second glance, there are
certain designs that are highly sought-after in the eyes of fellow collectors. "The 1p coin is often overlooked, but your penny jar might be hiding a coin rarer than you think,"
experts at Change Checker said. The coin collecting pros recently released their list of the top 1p designs worth hunting for in purses and wallets that could be worth hundreds of times
their face value. The first "desirable" penny highlighted by the experts to look out for are those with a date of 1982. This was the year that the design of the 1p changed to read
One Penny on the reverse side instead of New Penny, and just over 100,000 entered into circulation in 1982, so this is considered a sought-after slice of history by coin collectors. Moving
on to more modern designs, and the 2008 Royal Arms 1p was also singled out by the experts as one to keep an eye out for in your change. This was the year that UK coinage underwent another
major redesign, which saw the 1p switch from the traditional portcullis to a segment of the Royal Arms. Change Checker explained: "Coins from this transitional period can be interesting
for collectors, especially 2008 dated 1p coins with the old reverse design of a portcullis. Just 180,600,000 of this design entered circulation in 2008, and it's the last time we saw
the portcullis design feature on the UK 1p coins." OUR CHRONICLELIVE DAILY NEWSLETTER IS FREE. YOU CAN SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT HERE. It will keep you up to date with all the latest
breaking news and top stories from the North East. Meanwhile, one of the newest 1p designs out there is also a worthwhile collectible in the eyes of coin hunters. The 2023 design released
when King Charles was crowned features a sleeping dormouse on its reverse side, part of the nature-inspired set of new coin designs that entered circulation when the new monarch took the
throne which also includes the famous Atlantic Salmon 50p. It's thought that there are 600,000 of these 1ps in circulation with a 2023 date - but no collectors have reported finding one
in their change yet, according to Change Checker. This means that it could potentially be even rarer, and is sure to have collectors on the hunt for that little dormouse. And finally,
another type of penny worth looking out for is those with a date of 1971 - the first year that 1ps were released into circulation. Change Checker noted: "With over 1.5 billion struck,
you'll find them in most piggy banks, but there's something nostalgic and iconic about the very first decimal penny." Article continues below However, the experts added:
"That said, if you find one in immaculate condition or a proof one from a 1971 set, collectors may pay a premium for it." Alongside these specific designs, Change Checker urged
collectors to watch out for mistakes on their 1p coins. They can be tricky to spot unless you really know your coin designs, but can include off-centre strikes, clipped planchets, double
strikes and die rotation errors, the experts said. Due to their unique nature, 1p coins of this type often sell for hundreds of pounds on sites such as eBay. "If you think you've
found a 1p that doesn't look quite right, it's worth having it checked by The Royal Mint to verify if it's a genuine error," the experts advised.