Everyone is being urged to check their change, wallets, purses and down the back of their sofas after a 50p coin sold for a huge sum this week.

The European Community 1992 to 1993 Royal Mint 50p coin is a rare collectable item among coin collectors.

Its official title is Presidency of the Council of European Community Ministers and resembled the start of the Single European Market, which allowed the freedom of movement for goods and people across member states.

The seller from Telford had sold the coin for £35 - 70 times its initial face value.

The buyer also had to fork out £2.70 postage.

A spokesperson for The Britannia Coin Company of Royal Wootton Bassett said: "During the Council meeting, the minister from the country holding the presidency chairs the session, and has a certain degree of power to decide itineraries and media output.

"This presidency is rotated between the member states of the EU every six months.

"During the second half of 1992, this post was held by the United Kingdom. At the start of 1993, the Single European Market came into effect, allowing the freedom of movement for goods and people across member states.

"In honour of these two milestones, as well as twenty years since the UK’s entrance into the EEC, The Royal Mint released a commemorative silver proof, Fifty Pence.

"This coin’s reverse was designed by Mary Milner Dickens and featured a conference table and twelve chairs for each of the Ministers."