1933 Penny

Of all the rarities in the modern British coinage probably the most famous is the penny of 1933. In appearance it seems indistinguishable from any other penny of George V, the only difference being the date. There was no requirement for the Mint to produce any pennies in 1933 because there were already enough in circulation. Requests were, however, received for sets of coins dated 1933 to be placed under the foundation stones of buildings erected in that year, and the Mint obliged by striking a small number of coins. The result was to create a rarity that many people thought could turn up in their change.

The precise number struck was not recorded at the time but it is now thought to be certainly less than ten and probably in the region of six or seven. The surviving 1933 pennies are to be found in the Mint Museum, the British Museum, the University of London and two or three in private collections.