Homeless man begging outside Greggs is handed rare 50p coin that is worth MUCH more
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A homeless man started the New Year with a change of fortune after a 50p he was handed proved to be a rare coin.
The man had been sat outside Greggs on Exeter's High Street today begging for loose change from passers-by.
Police officers spotted him and moved him on, reports the Exeter Express & Echo - but were able to answer a query before he went on his way.
The man had been given 50p and wondered if it was one of the special coins launched in memory of children's author Beatrix Potter.
The officer used his phone to help him check - and it turned out to be a rare coin that could be worth hundreds of pounds.
(Photo: Royal Mint)
(Photo: PA)
In April last year, the Royal Mint produced a series of special edition coins featuring well-loved characters to mark the 150 anniversary of Beatrix Potter.
They are the first children's fictional characters to appear on British coins and proved incredibly popular – selling out in just 8 days.
Special editions featuring a range of Beatrix Potter animals in colour cost £55 new.
However, some sellers are cheekily selling them for several hundreds of pounds on eBay.
The Royal Mint has not revealed precisely how many it minted.