Australians who still have 2c coins stashed away have been urged to check out a small detail that could net them hundreds.
The coin, which was withdrawn from circulation in 1992, features a ruffled-necked lizard designed by renowned Australian artist and metalworker Stuart Devlin.
His work is signed with a small “SD” under the belly of the native lizard but, for some unknown reason, a small number of pieces do not feature his initials.
The error, which the Perth Mint described as “a mystery”, only appears on two mintages of the coins.
The rarity of the “SD” error has caused coin values to skyrocket.
Australians who have a 2c coin with the initials “SD” missing from beneath the frill-necked lizard’s belly (as above – the “SD” should appear between its two central feet) could be sitting on hundreds of dollars .
Some of the most sought-after pieces are currently for sale on eBay, with prices up to $499.99.
THE Perth Mint has made approximately 16,995,000 iconic frill-necked lizard coins.
“We now know that ‘SD’ is missing from some 1967 and 1981 issues,” he said of the error.
“Despite our best efforts to discover precisely how this happened, the story remains a mystery.”
Rare coin dealer Andrew Crellin told the Perth Mint the coveted coins had increased in value.
“Several coins that have been independently ranked among the finest examples known have recently achieved prices exceeding several thousand dollars on a leading online auction site,” he said.
Pictured is a 2c coin showing the initials SD below the ruffled collar lizard.
Coins with the rare error have sold for hundreds of dollars (pictured is the back of a rare 2c coin with the “SD” missing)
Even 2-cent coins bearing the initials “SD” are collectors’ favorites, with those in good condition selling for around $165.
“It’s no wonder there’s a resurgence of interest in the lowly two cents as knowledgeable people scramble to check their old decimal coins… just in case,” the Perth Mint said.
“Have you looked at yours recently?” »
