- A rare ‘mule’ coin is being sold in an online auction for more than than $4,000
- The $1/10 cent hybrid coin was produced in 2000, with estimated 6,000 made
- The coin is the product of a technician’s error at the Royal Australian Mint
A coin from a rare batch in the year 2000 is being sold at auction for more than $4,000.
Coin collectors are bidding for a unique $1 coin called a ‘mule’ through auction site The Purple Penny.
The mule is a hybrid of a 10 cent piece and a $1 coin and was in production at the Royal Australian Mint for a year before the mistake was discovered.
The coins are thicker than a regular $1 coin, with a double rimmed edge and a picture of the Queen on the back.
‘The mule was made when a technician at the Mint in Canberra accidentally paired the mob of ‘roos dollar reverse with the Queen’s head obverse, normally used for the 10 cent piece,’ the Australian Coin Collecting Blog reads.
The mule is being offered for $4,250 and is described by the auctioneer as ‘the nicest we’ve ever seen’.
‘Easily in the top 10 known coins of this type,’ the description reads. ‘Almost impossible to improve on and represents excellent value.’
