A RARE error mule two-pence coin has raised more than £800 for the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

After a week on ebay the two-pence coin raised £802 from an anonymous bidder.

The coin had been accidentally struck in silver (cupro-nickel) rather than in bronze, as most 1970s two-pence pieces would have been.

Mark Goff, Royal Berkshire charity director, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that the coin fetched £802, quite a mark up on 2p!

“The money will be used towards vital equipment in our Urology Department.

“We want to thank both the collector who bought it, and our eagle-eyed volunteer who spotted it among other coins that were donated to us as part of our 'cash for coins’ collection.”

The 1971 error mule coin was found in the Trust’s collection box, which encourages visitors to deposit leftover currencies from around the world to help fund the hospital.

So far the collection has raised £26,500 for the charity.

Latest top stories

A few years ago a similar coin was sold at auction for £1,300.