A penny coin has been named the 'rarest in UK history' and finding it in your stash could make you £72,000 richer. Here's everything you need to know about the special piece09:06, 03 Aug 2026Always check your change because you never know when a 'super rare' 50p coin or unassuming £2 could be in your pocket. All rare coins are certainly worth keeping an eye on, especially if it's in good condition or mintage is low.Now while we're all aware of the coins from this era, have you ever considered the pennies or pounds from your grandparents' generation? That's right the penny coin which is the 'rarest in UK history' is getting a lot of attention from collectors – and for all the right reasons. So stop what you're doing and check your change now for this valuable piece worth £72,000.According to expert @CoinCollectingWizard, who boasts 37,200 followers on Instagram, this coin is the legendary 1933 British penny and crucial to keep an eye on.‌He said: "Imagine finding a humble old penny in your change... only to discover it's worth a fortune. That's exactly the case with the legendary 1933 British penny – one of the rarest coins in UK history."The expert revealed while there are only six authentic examples known to exist, it doesn't mean you can completely rule out finding one at home.Content cannot be displayed without consentWhy the 1933 George V Penny Is Worth Up to £72,000These special coins weren't issued for everyday circulation, but struck primarily for ceremonial purposes.He explained: "If you somehow stumbled across one, you could be looking at hundreds of thousands of pounds at auction. The catch? Because they're so famous, there are far more fakes than real ones."It's also worth mentioning numerous replicas would have been produced over the years, so if you think you own one – seek professional advice first.‌Speaking about the 1933 penny which has been called the "crown jewel of British coin collecting", he added: "But sadly, finding one in your change is like winning the lottery... twice."The 1933 George V penny has an estimated worth of £72,000 after it sold for that staggering price at a London auction hosted by A.H Baldwin & Sons.Other variations have commanded historical estimates reaching well over £130,000. Its rarity stems from the extremely limited number in existence, as they were never meant for circulation.Design Features and Other Rarest British Coins to Watch ForSome examples are "uniface" which means they feature design on one side only, with the reverse remaining plain. The front of the coin features the head of King George V, while the obverse is the seated figure of Britannia.Other coins which are famous like the 1933 penny include the 1937 Edward VIII Gold Sovereign, the 1703 Queen Anne Vigo Five-Guineas, and the 1819 George III Gold Sovereign.These coins share extreme scarcity due to historical events, tiny mintages or ceremonial production rather than general release.