eBay is the ideal place for coin collectors, and this Trial of the Pyx rare new £1 coin from 2016 is selling for huge sums.
The trial coin from Royal Mint is one of those used to test the design of the new pound coin before it came into circulation.
This coin was sold by user ‘270bhpastracoupe’ on Sunday.
One thousand of the coins were made by Royal Mint, and the seller states that only about 40 of the coins are currently known of.
This may be because Royal Mint have asked that all the coins be returned to Royal Mint.
Another rare £1 coin sold on eBay recently for £479.
Royal Mint insists all copies of the coins should be returned.
They told Chards.co.uk: “These samples have been issued under strict ‘terms and conditions’ and remain the property of the Royal Mint at all times.
“Unfortunately, we are aware that some samples have been listed on auction sites, however, as per the terms and conditions agreed to by stakeholders at the point of purchase, samples should be returned to The Royal Mint.”
What is a Trial of the Pyx coin?
The Trial of the Pyx is a method to ensure new coins conform to standards.
They do sell a number of Trial of the Pyx coins on their site, and state: “Coins put before the jury at the Trial of the Pyx, the annual ceremony at Goldsmith’s Hall in London that safeguards the integrity of our currency.
“These items are exclusive to The Royal Mint and availability is extremely limited.”
Another rare £2 coin has sold for £295.
The £2 coins were minted by Pobjoy, a small minting company known for creating commemorative coins.
This collection, issued between 1997 and 2000, depict the all 12 of the Labours of Hercules.
The 1999 coin, sold for the large sum last week, depicts Hercules cleaning out the Augean Stables.
