The coin � made to mark the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder plot � has the words �Pemember the fifth of November' engraved around the outer rim.

Eagle-eyed collector Albi Pinnion, 46, noticed the mistake after being handed a £2 coin in change at his local pub in Ousden, Suffolk.

Remarkably, the coin was produced in 2005 and the mistake has gone un-noticed for five years.

The misprinted currency has now become hot property among coin collectors and are selling for over £10 on eBay.

Mr Pinnion said: "When looking at the coin I just happened to notice the incorrect spelling.

"It is not the sort of thing most people would go out of their way to check so that may be why it has taken so long for one to come to light.

"I originally emailed and wrote letters to the Royal Mint but they did not want to acknowledge the coin for some reason.

"I noticed on eBay that a few more of them have now been found."

The Royal Mint has admitted the mistake but refused to disclose how many might be in circulation.

A spokesman said: "It's likely to be a consequence of the production process.

"It's very, very infrequent that we issue coins with an error. We have quality control to detect any defects."

Coin mint error coins are commonly the result of deterioration of the minting equipment, accidents or malfunctions.

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To read the complete article, see:£2 coin has spelling mistake on it(swns.com/2-coin-has-spelling-mistake-on-it-071033.html#)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:HEADS ROLL AT THE CHILEAN MINT OVER COIN'S SPELLING MISTAKE(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v13n07a25.html)