Several versions of the new £1 coin are selling on eBay for up to £5000, after some collectors noticed imperfections that rendered them faulty.
The new coins were launched at the end of March but some have been found to be problematic; a symptom of the ‘speedy production process’ according to Royal Mint.
The new, twelve-sided coin replaces the old £1 coin, and has been dubbed ‘the most secure coin in the world’ thanks to its high-tech features. It was introduced after it was found that around one in every 30 of the old £1 coins were fake, with the new coin being both thinner and lighter than the old coin.
The Royal Mint said in a statement: “As you would expect, we have tight quality controls in place, however variances will always occur in a small number of coins, particularly in the striking process, due to the high volumes and speed of production”.
The old coin came into circulation at 33 banks and post offices throughout the UK in March, and will co-exist with until the round pound ceases to be legal tender on October 15th of this year.