1983 ‘New Pence’ 2p Mule

Specifications

Denomination

2 pence

Series

Decimal bronze coinage — Machin/Ironside type

Designer

Arnold Machin (obverse); Christopher Ironside (reverse)

Years of issue

1983

Weight

7.12 g

Diameter

25.9 mm

Edge

Plain

KM

928

Key mintages

Error variety: unknown number struck with the obsolete NEW PENCE reverse die; reported in 1983 collector sets incl. the Martini promotional sets. Normal 1983 2p: 637,100 unc sets + 107,800 proof sets (Spink), mint sets only — never for circulation.

Unknown number escaped: a small number of 1983 2p coins were struck with the old 'NEW PENCE' REVERSE die (Royal Mint); genuine examples have sold £500–£2,500+ at auction.

History

• The Royal Mint’s own account: ‘in 1983 a small number of 2p coins were mistakenly struck with the wording ‘NEW PENCE’ on the reverse’ — the error is on the reverse (tails side), not the obverse. (Royal Mint, accessed 2026-09-16)
• Context: every 2p struck 1971–1981 read NEW PENCE; the inscription changed to TWO PENCE in 1982, so every 1983-dated 2p should read TWO PENCE. (Royal Mint; Change Checker, accessed 2026-09-16)
• The error coins were ‘produced to brilliant uncirculated quality’ and ‘included in special sets intended for collectors’ — 1983 2p coins were struck only for sets (Spink: 637,100 uncirculated sets, 107,800 proof sets), never for general circulation. (Royal Mint; Online Coin Club, via Spink, accessed 2026-09-16)
• Spink reports the mules were ‘contained in some sets packed by the Royal Mint for Martini issued in 1983’ — the Great British 1983 Coin Collection promotional sets; exactly how many escaped is unknown. (Spink, via Online Coin Club; RWB Auctions, accessed 2026-09-16)
• PCGS recognizes the variety as ‘1983 2p S-C2A NEW PENCE Rev Mule, RD’ (PCGS #628038), metal Bronze, mintage N/A — third-party certification is the standard for serious transactions. (PCGS ValueView, accessed 2026-09-16)

Key dates and varieties

• 1983 2p ‘NEW PENCE’ mule — reverse-die error; unknown quantity, found in Martini/Great British 1983 Coin Collection sets (Spink, via Online Coin Club; RWB Auctions)
• Oct 2024 — RWB Auctions: error 2p in a Martini set sold £700 (OK! Magazine)
• 2026 realized ranges: loose circulated £500–£800; brilliant uncirculated £800–£1,500; slabbed MS65+ £1,800–£2,500+; complete 1983 proof set with error £1,500–£3,500 (MyCoinage)

Specifications

• alignment
• composition
• designers
• diameter
• edge
• mint
• weight

Collector notes

• KEY DIAGNOSTIC MARKERS: check BOTH sides — obverse must be dated 1983 with Arnold Machin’s second portrait of Elizabeth II; reverse must read NEW PENCE (not TWO PENCE) around the Prince of Wales feathers badge. The common fake is a genuine 1971–1981 New Pence 2p with the date re-engraved to 1983 — examine the date under 10x magnification for tool marks. Genuine mules are brilliant-uncirculated strikes weighing 7.12 g ±0.05 g. (Royal Mint; MyCoinage; Change Checker)
• Only the 1983 date can be the mule: NEW PENCE was correct wording for 1971–1981 issues (minted in the hundreds of millions) — a ‘New Pence’ 2p of any other date is ordinary. (Change Checker; Royal Mint)
• The 1983 ‘New Pence’ 2p is the most-counterfeited modern UK error: re-engraved dates and cast copies (faint horizontal edge seams, wrong weight) circulate — MyCoinage recommends PCGS/NGC/CGS UK grading for any transaction above £500; slabbed examples carry a 25–40% premium. (MyCoinage)
• Error population unknown — the Royal Mint says only ‘a small number’; do not trust sellers citing exact mintages. (Royal Mint; RWB Auctions)

Market check

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