'I was over the moon': Dad's delight at cashing in after finding rare coin
16.07.2023 - 07:07
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
When Ben Mason was handed a 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games coin at his local shop last year, he immediately knew he had a rare piece on his hands.
The 26-year-old got home and quickly listed it on eBay where it was later snapped up for £236.74.
"I was over the moon when I found it - absolutely ecstatic,” says Ben, from Royton, who was left with £206 after fees.
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"It's been hard recently, not just for me but for everyone with the cost-of-living crisis.
"It helped massively with energy bills and food as I'm a father of four. I just couldn't believe that a coin could be worth so much."
Stay-at-home-dad Ben chose to list his coin for auction at a lower price in the hope he'd get a few bids.
He said: "I had it listed on eBay for auction as when I searched, I noticed everyone was selling as buy it now for £200 plus.
"As no one had one on for auction I thought I'd take the opportunity to put it on as an auction starting for £100 bidding. But I also had a buy now price for £350.
"Within two days I got my first bid of £190 and then there was nothing up until the last hour - where the battle started.
"To my surprise the last hour the bidding kept going up and up until time ran out and sold for £236.74. But because I used eBay, they take a percentage so in total I got £206. That doesn't bother me - I technically swapped £2 for £206."
The coin was put into circulation in 2011 to commemorate the fourth Commonwealth Youth Games, hosted on the Isle of Man.
It features the official mascot of the games, Tosha the Cat, as well as the logo of the games.
According to the website Change Checker, mintage figures for British Isles coins