A penny that saved a British soldier’s life in the First World War has just been bought by his grandson for £5,445.

The lucky coin deflected a bullet when Private John Trickett placed it in the top breast pocket of his uniform while fighting in France, in 1914.

An enemy soldier had aimed his weapon at his heart.

A photograph of Private John Trickett and a dented penny, which deflected an enemy bullet (Picture: PA)

The penny, which was made in 1889, ended up being passed down to Private Trickett’s granddaughter Maureen Coulson, 63, from Derbyshire.,


She decided to sell it for charity at Hansons Auctioneers but was shocked when her long-lost cousin Nigel Trickett turned up at the auction and bought it for a total of £5,445.



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This bullet saved his life (Picture: PA)

He kept it in his top pocket (Picture: PA)

Mr Trickett, 55, who runs a carpet business in Owston Ferry, near Doncaster, said: ‘Private Trickett was my granddad and we wanted to keep the medals and penny in the family.

‘It will be handed down. It’s where it belongs and we’ll take a lot of pride in showing it to the family members.

‘When the story went viral it brought 50 members of the family together – we all got in touch with each other.

‘My granddad’s story is very interesting and true. Everything wouldn’t have happened in our family the way it has without that penny.

‘I was born after my granddad died but I remember seeing the penny when I was seven.

‘We plan to visit my granddad’s grave in Bolton upon Dearne, Yorkshire, on the way home.’

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Private John Trickett pictured in his army uniform (Picture: SWNS)

Mrs Coulson said she was pleased to get in contact with members of her extended family.

She added: ‘I’ve experienced a mixture of emotions from beginning to end. Everyone has been fantastic and I would like to say a very big thank you to all.’

The penny is part of a collection of war-related ephemera belonging to Private Trickett which includes his British War Medal and Victory Medal.

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