Guide
1983 “New Pence” 2p Error: The Most Famous UK Royal Mint Mule
The 1983 “New Pence” 2p is the most-famous Royal Mint die error of the modern decimal era. A small batch of 1983 proof 2ps was accidentally struck with the obsolete "NEW PENCE" reverse die that had been retired in 1982 in favour of "TWO PENCE". The error escaped quality control and was distributed inside the 1983 Royal Mint annual proof set. Surviving error coins are estimated at fewer than 500 examples and trade at £500-2,500+. This guide covers identification, authentication, and where to sell.
Reviewed by Connor Jones, Editor
Last updated:
In brief. 1983-dated 2p with "NEW PENCE" reverse instead of "TWO PENCE". Surviving population
estimated <500. Realised prices: £500-1,500 loose; £1,800-2,500+
slabbed PCGS / NGC MS-65; £1,500-3,500 for a complete 1983 proof set with the error 2p
in original Royal Mint blue case. The most-counterfeited modern UK error coin.
How to identify the 1983 New Pence 2p
Two checks, both must be true:
- Date on obverse: the year must be 1983. Any other date is not the error.
- Reverse legend: across the bottom of the Plumed Ostrich Feathers (Prince of Wales feathers) reverse, the legend must read "NEW PENCE", not "TWO PENCE".
The error coins came from the 1983 Royal Mint proof annual set. Loose error coins are rare; most surviving examples are still sealed in their original 1983 Royal Mint blue plastic proof set, alongside the 1p, half penny, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p and silver Maundy components.
How the error happened
The Royal Mint changed the legend on UK 2p reverses from "NEW PENCE" to "TWO PENCE" in 1982, eleven years after Decimal Day. The change was driven by public familiarity with decimal coinage and the redundancy of the word "NEW" by that date. From 1982 onwards, all UK 2p coins should carry "TWO PENCE".
For the 1983 proof annual set, a small batch was struck using the obsolete 1971-1981 reverse die that should have been retired and stored. The obsolete die carried "NEW PENCE". The mistake was an internal die-stock mix-up; the affected coins escaped quality control and were sealed inside the standard 1983 proof annual set. The error was discovered by collectors when the sets were opened, and the 1983 NEW PENCE 2p was identified as a genuine Royal Mint mule. Other dates (1984 onwards) used the correct "TWO PENCE" reverse without exception.
Realised price ranges
| Format | Realised price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Loose 1983 NEW PENCE 2p (worn / circulated) | £500 – £800 |
| Loose 1983 NEW PENCE 2p (Brilliant Uncirculated) | £800 – £1,500 |
| Slabbed PCGS / NGC MS-65 or higher | £1,800 – £2,500+ |
| Complete 1983 proof set in original Royal Mint blue case (with error) | £1,500 – £3,500 |
| Standard 1983 proof set (correct TWO PENCE 2p, common) | £15 – £30 |
Counterfeit warning
The 1983 New Pence 2p is the most-counterfeited modern UK error coin. Two common fakes:
- Re-engraved date: a genuine 1971-1981 NEW PENCE 2p with the obverse date altered to read 1983. Detect by examining the date under 10x magnification, re-engraving leaves microscopic tool marks not present on a genuine 1983 obverse strike.
- Cast copy: a counterfeit cast from a genuine 1983 New Pence error. Detect by weight (genuine: 7.12 g ± 0.05 g) and edge inspection (cast counterfeits show faint horizontal seams).
For any 1983 NEW PENCE 2p you intend to sell or buy above £500, professional grading by PCGS, NGC or CGS UK is essential. Slabbed examples carry a 25-40% price premium over unslabbed loose coins because the slab provides authentication, a guaranteed grade, and resale-market trust.
Featured 2p coins on MyCoinage
2 Pence - Elizabeth II Maundy pre-decimal; 2nd issue
up to £53
2 Pence - Elizabeth II 5th portrait; Royal Shield Platinum Proof
2 Pence - Elizabeth II 4th portrait; Royal Shield Platinum Proof
2 Pence - Elizabeth II 4th Portrait; Welsh Plumes Platinum Proof
2 Pence - Elizabeth II 5th Portrait; Royal Shield Gold Proof
2 Pence - Elizabeth II Maundy pre-decimal; 1st issue
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 1983 "New Pence" 2p worth?
A genuine 1983 2p with the "NEW PENCE" reverse trades at £500-1,500 at auction depending on grade and authentication. Slabbed PCGS or NGC graded examples in MS-65 or higher have realised £1,800-2,500+ at UK auction houses. The vast majority of 1983 2p coins encountered in change carry the correct "TWO PENCE" reverse and are worth face value, the "NEW PENCE" error is genuinely rare with an estimated surviving population of just a few hundred coins.
Why is the 1983 "New Pence" 2p famous?
It's a Royal Mint die error. The 1983 2p was supposed to carry the new "TWO PENCE" reverse legend that had replaced "NEW PENCE" on all UK 2p coins from 1982 onwards (when "NEW PENCE" was dropped 11 years after Decimal Day). However, a small batch of 1983 proof 2p coins struck for the 1983 Royal Mint annual proof set were accidentally produced with the obsolete "NEW PENCE" reverse die from previous years, an internal mix-up that escaped quality control. The resulting "1983 NEW PENCE 2p" is the most-famous modern UK Royal Mint die error.
How can I tell if my 2p is the rare 1983 New Pence error?
Two checks. Date: the obverse must show 1983 (any earlier date with NEW PENCE is the standard issue, not the error). Reverse legend: across the bottom of the Plumed Ostrich Feathers reverse, the legend must read "NEW PENCE", not "TWO PENCE". The error coins were only struck for the 1983 proof annual set, so they are sealed in original Royal Mint blue plastic packaging with the rest of the 1983 set (1p through 50p, 8 coins). A loose 1983 NEW PENCE 2p is rare; one still in the original sealed proof set is the most-collected version.
How many 1983 New Pence 2ps were struck?
The exact mintage is not officially confirmed by the Royal Mint, but the surviving population is estimated at just a few hundred coins, possibly under 500 verified examples. The error was within the 1983 Royal Mint proof annual set; total proof set mintage was 107,800 for that year, but the New Pence error only appeared in a small fraction of that production. Most 1983 proof sets contain the correct "TWO PENCE" reverse. The error sets are the truly scarce ones; most surviving examples are still in their original Royal Mint blue plastic cases.
What is the difference between 1983 New Pence and 1971-1981 New Pence?
A 2p coin dated 1971 through 1981 with "NEW PENCE" is the standard issue, that was the correct legend until 1982. These coins are common and worth face value to a few pounds (typical 1971-1981 NEW PENCE 2ps trade at £0.05-2 in worn condition). Only the 1983-dated 2p with "NEW PENCE" is the famous error, and the date is the critical identifier. Many people mistake their 1971-1981 NEW PENCE 2ps for the rare 1983 error; check the date on the obverse first, if it is not 1983, it is not the error variant.
Should I get my 1983 New Pence 2p professionally graded?
Yes, for any genuine example worth £500+. Professional grading by PCGS, NGC or CGS UK costs £25-50 and typically adds 25-40% to realised value because the slab provides authentication and a guaranteed grade. Counterfeit "1983 NEW PENCE" 2p coins exist (modified 1971-1981 coins with the date altered, or cast counterfeits) and the rarity is heavily faked because of the high market value. A slabbed PCGS or NGC example in MS-65 trades at £1,800-2,500+; an unslabbed example in similar condition trades at £800-1,200.
Where should I sell a 1983 New Pence 2p?
For a slabbed PCGS or NGC example: consign to Spink, Baldwin's, Noonans or Heritage Auctions for the strongest realisation. For an unslabbed loose example: eBay UK with sold-listings cross-check works for the £500-1,200 range. For a 1983 New Pence 2p still sealed in original Royal Mint proof set (full 8-coin blue plastic case): consign to a UK auction house, the original sealed packaging adds 30-50% to the realised price over a loose individual coin. See our where to sell rare coins UK guide.
Are there other UK "wrong reverse" mule errors?
Yes, three well-known examples. (1) 2008 undated 20p, new obverse die with no date paired with the new reverse die that also has no date; the only undated UK coin in 300 years. Mintage estimated 50,000-200,000; trades at £50-150. (2) 2-pound edge inscription errors, multiple bimetallic £2 coins were struck with the wrong edge inscription for the design (e.g. "ONE STEP BEYOND" engineering edge on a King James Bible £2). Trades at £15-80. (3) 1971 New Pence on penny planchet, a 2p design struck on a 1p planchet (rare overstrike error). See our UK coin errors list for the full catalogue.
How is the 1983 New Pence 2p different from the 1971 first-decimal 2p?
The 1971 2p is the first-year decimal 2p and is the original "NEW PENCE" issue from the standard production run. Mintage 1.45 billion. Common in worn condition, worth face value to a few pounds. The 1983 2p was supposed to carry the new "TWO PENCE" reverse (introduced from 1982 onwards), but a small proof batch was accidentally struck with the obsolete 1971-1981 "NEW PENCE" die. The error makes the 1983 NEW PENCE worth thousands; the 1971 NEW PENCE is an everyday coin. The date on the obverse is the only meaningful difference: 1971 = common; 1983 = rare error.
How much does a complete 1983 proof set with the New Pence error sell for?
A complete 1983 Royal Mint proof set in original blue plastic case containing the New Pence 2p error trades at £1,500-3,500 at auction, depending on the condition of the case and the verification of the error. Most 1983 proof sets contain the correct TWO PENCE 2p and trade at £15-30, common Royal Mint product. Only the small fraction of sets with the New Pence error carry the four-figure premium. The set provenance is critical: an error 2p still sealed in its original Royal Mint case is more valuable than a loose error 2p removed from the case, because the sealed case proves the error is genuine and confirms it came from the proof production.
Which specific 1983 set is the affected one?
The error appeared exclusively in the 1983 Royal Mint Uncirculated Proof Set (sometimes called the "Martini" set in collector circles, after its distinctive green presentation folder rather than the more common blue plastic case used for other years). Total proof set mintage for 1983 was approximately 107,800 sets. Only an unknown subset of those contain the New Pence reverse on the 2p, the rest received the correct TWO PENCE die. The Royal Mint never published the affected count. Numismatic estimates suggest fewer than a few hundred error sets exist, although many 1983 proof sets remain unopened in original packaging, so the true surviving population is unknown. If you have a sealed 1983 proof set in a green folder, it is worth opening and inspecting the 2p reverse legend, the find could be life-changing.
How can I check whether my 1983 proof set has the error?
Open the original Royal Mint case carefully (taking photos before opening for provenance). Locate the 2p coin in the proof set; examine the reverse (the side with the Plumed Ostrich Feathers / Prince of Wales feathers) under a 10x loupe. Read the legend across the bottom. "NEW PENCE" = the rare error variant; "TWO PENCE" = the standard issue. If you have the error, do not remove the coin from the set, the original sealed packaging is essential to provenance and adds 30-50% to realised auction price. Photograph the sealed set + the error 2p in its capsule, then consign to a UK numismatic auction house (Spink, Baldwin's or Noonans) for the strongest realisation. Do not attempt to clean or "improve" the coin in any way.
Read next