An Eastburn teenager was shocked to discover one of next year’s coins in his carol singing proceeds.
Jack Wrigglesworth found a 50p coin dated 2011 promoting the London Olympics due to be held in 2012.
South Craven School student Jack, 13, is one of several people across the UK who have been finding the 50p pieces.
The Royal Mint has created silver coins featuring 29 designs by members of the public to commemorate the Olympics. The Mint began releasing the coins into circulation around the UK in October.
Jack’s mother, Tracey Sullivan, said her son found the coin while counting the money he had collected while out singing.
A Royal Mint spokesman said the coins were part of the London 2012 Sports Collection, part of 29 Olympic and Paralympic-inspired coins designed by members of the public and officially launched two months ago.
He said: “The coins dated 2011 are normal, legal tender and have been released into circulation by the Royal Mint through the normal channels within the banking system.
“The coins have been released slightly earlier than usual to encourage people to look for them and talk about them in the run-up to the greatest sporting event hosted on UK soil in a generation.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here