A bizarrely deformed 1834 British silver coin found at a car boot sale may preserve evidence of a rare minting accident nearly 200 years ago. Advanced 3D scans and microscopic analysis revealed unusual metal distortions suggesting the coin was crushed under extreme pressure, potentially during its original production.
Scientists uncover a 192-year-old mystery hidden in a mangled silver coin
Original reporting
Science Daily: read the full reportFollow this story
Earlier reports and follow-ups on the same developing story.
Related stories

Significant drop in levels of toxic 'forever' chemicals in England's rivers
The decline has been put down to severe restrictions placed on the substances' use.

'Summer was a wake-up call, winter could be dire' warning over food supplies
Wales needs to grow more fruit and veg or it will be at the mercy of wars and climate change, says expert.

Toby Jones stars in film about UK Mars mission
Mackenzie Crook directs the story of the British professor whose probe lost contact upon touchdown.
The mystery of how hair knows where to grow may finally be solved
Scientists have discovered that the intricate patterns of hair follicles on mammals may arise from a remarkably simple process involving cells following chemical signals. The findings challenge a long-standing theory and reveal how nature can create complex biological patterns without a detailed blueprint.
NASA reveals Earth's ozone hole has grown to a size not seen in a decade
The Antarctic ozone hole expanded to its seventh-largest size on record in 2026, driven by unusual weather conditions that pushed it close to its historic maximum. Scientists say international restrictions on ozone-destroying chemicals prevented even greater damage, and Earth's protective ozone layer is still recovering.
Where are all the males? Ancient human fossils reveal a startling mystery
A remarkable discovery in a South African cave suggests that an extinct human relative may have created an all-female burial site more than 240,000 years ago. Scientists analyzed ancient proteins preserved in Homo naledi teeth and found no male-specific markers among at least 20 individuals, potentially solving a mystery that has puzzled researchers for over a decade.