Brits urged to check change as three rare coins valued at jaw-dropping £72k

Lift up those sofa seats and reach deep into that bottom drawer because you may just be sitting on a small fortune.

Chris Yang, co-founder of Coins Value has urged Brits to look out for pennies from the 1930s when, according to The Royal Mint, banks had so many they didn't bother adding any more into circulation.

According to The Royal Mint, an intriguing tradition from 1933 involved burying King George V pennies beneath the foundation stones of new structures. They've revealed a bit of secret coin history, stating: "[There] was a convention at the time that complete sets of coins of the current year were buried under the foundation stones of new buildings."

It turns out that three special 1933 pennies were minted for buildings established in that year, with extra specimens reserved for the British Museum and the Royal Mint Museum.

As such, stumbling upon a 1933 King George V penny could be like striking gold. Chris Yang has highlighted how one savvy collector cashed in a staggering £72,000 at a 2016 auction.

It's clear the market is lively, considering previous sales where one fetched £40,000 in 2004 and another commanding £45,000 in 2006. .

Chris explained: "This is one of the rarest British coins because only a few were ever produced as part of a special minting for record-keeping. The rarity and historical significance of the coin makes it highly sought-after by collectors."

For those sitting on this pot of collectable gold, Chris's recommendation is crystal clear: "High-end auction houses like Sotheby's or Bonhams would be the best option [to sell] such a rare coin."

Signing off, Chris gave the spotlight to a unique 50p coin minted in 2009 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens. The coin showcases the famed Chinese Pagoda, an edifice built in 1762 and refurbished in 2018.

Chris disclosed: "Only 210,000 coins were minted, making them one of the most sought-after 50p coins in circulation," and elaborated, "The coin commemorates the 250th anniversary of Kew Gardens, featuring the iconic Pagoda."

He highlighted that eBay and the London Coin Company are prime places to trade these collector's items. While such coins might reel in £150 to £200, Chris remarked that their condition could significantly influence the selling price.