Before carelessly discarding that loose change in your purse, it's worthwhile examining your coins closely. There's one in particular, the 1933 George V penny, that could come as a costly oversight if treated with indifference. At first glance, it might seem to carry the value of any ordinary penny, but this scarce piece defied all odds at an auction in 2016, fetching an eye-watering £72,000, reports MailOnline . And its worth has been on an upward trajectory. This coin was sold for £40,000 in 2004 and rose to £45,000 within just two years. The mystery behind its exact quantity remains, with The Royal Mint acknowledging "no record was kept at the time of how many pennies dated 1933 were made" however "it is thought to be no more than six or seven." The intrigue and lack of recorded information, combined with the coin being minted to normal circulation quality, spurred the dream among collectors and ordinary people that it might be found in everyday currency. This lead many to sift through their spare change in hopes of finding the immensely scarce 1933 penny, reports Lancs Live . In the 1930s, an excess of pennies in banks eliminated the necessity to release more into circulation. These 1933 King George V coins were placed under foundation stones of new buildings, honouring an age-old tradition. Coins Value co-founder Chris Yang described the exceptional status of the coin to the Mirror , explaining: "This is one of the rarest British coins because only a few were ever produced as part of a special minting for record-keeping." Due to the coin's rarity and historical importance, it has become a highly coveted item among collectors. To achieve the best possible sale price for such a rare coin, it is advisable to consign it to a high-end auction house like Sotheby's or Bonhams. However, even without a 1933 penny, your coin collection can still go for a substantial sum. For instance, a 1983 2p coin with the misprint 'New Pence' instead of 'Two Pence' can sell for between £500 and £700. Additionally, certain £2 coins issued to commemorate the Olympics have been known to sell for up to £1,558 and £1,478, according to Bullion By Post and Chards. Nevertheless, it is crucial to remember that the condition of the coin plays a significant role in determining its overall value. As Chris Yang, Co-founder of Coins Value, previously explained to the Daily Star : "Coins in perfect 'mint' condition are worth far more than their well-worn, damaged, and poor-condition counterparts. "Sometimes a minor difference in grade translates to hundreds, maybe thousands in value." The 1933 George V penny isn't the only rare piece that can fetch an eye-opening sum in the UK market. Others are still in circulation, and are listed here , including the Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland bit.