Australians who still have 2c coins stashed away have been urged to check for one small detail that could earn them hundreds of dollars.
The coin, which was withdrawn from circulation in 1992, features a ruffled-neck lizard designed by renowned Australian artist and metalworker Stuart Devlin.
His work is signed with a small ‘SD’ below the belly of the native lizard, but for unknown reasons a small number of coins do not include 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 the coins to skyrocket in value.
Australians who have a 2c coin with the initials ‘SD’ missing under the ruffled-neck lizard’s belly (as above – the ‘SD’ should appear between the two middle feet) could be sitting on hundreds of dollars
A few of the highly sought-after coins are currently for sale on eBay, with prices reaching as high as $499.99.
The Perth coin has created approximately 16,995,000 of the iconic ruffled lizard coins.
“We now know that ‘SD’ is missing from some 1967 and 1981 issues,” it said of the error.
“Despite our best efforts to find out exactly how it happened, the story remains a mystery.”
Rare coin dealer Andrew Crellin told Perth Mint that the coveted coins have increased in value.
“Several coins independently rated as among the finest known examples recently fetched prices in excess of several thousand dollars on a leading online auction site,” he said.
Pictured is a 2c coin with the SD initials below the ruffled neck lizard
Coins with the rare error have sold for hundreds of dollars (photo, the reverse of a rare 2c coin with the missing ‘SD’)
Even 2c coins with the initials ‘SD’ are a prized favorite of collectors, with coins in good condition selling for around $165.
“No wonder there is renewed interest in the humble two cents, as connoisseurs try to check their old decimal coins… just in case,” Perth Mint said.
“Have you looked at yours lately?”