An extremely rare and valuable collection of coins worth nearly £100,000 has been stolen from a pensioner’s home in Epsom.

Burglars broke into the 83-year-old man’s home in Woodcote Side on Sunday, July 24, between 6 and 7am making off with about 50 precious coins, some dating back to the 11th century, the time of William the Conqueror.

The collection also included half crowns and guineas from the 1600s, some of exceptional rarity worth up to £8,000, leaving the elderly collector devastated by their loss.

Michael Ingram, co-partner of antique coin dealers, R Ingram coins in Hampshire, said: “Obviously you are talking about quite rare and valuable coins here.

“Any coin from William the Conqueror’s time is going to be a minimum of £750 per coin, possibly more depending on its condition."

Norman Clarkson, Secretary of the Kingston Numismatic Society said: “These are museum specimens.

“You are talking about the very top quality collectible coins.

“Whoever was collecting these knew his coins and he must be heartbroken.”

David Brooks at Bourne Hall Museum added: “The thing about coins is that you never know who might have held those coins before and there’s more contact with history, and that’s the fascination.”

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the area at the time of the robbery and for anyone who may have seen these coins to come forward.

Investigating officer Liz Parsons, of Epsom CID said: “These possessions are of huge personal value to the victim who has collected them over his lifetime and it has caused him considerable distress that they have been stolen.

Anyone with information should contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222.

FACTFILE*

Irish Half Crown · Pretty rare worth about £1,500 · Known as Ormonde money · Struck during the great Irish rebellion during 1642-1649 know as Siege Money.

· Several emergency issues were struck including the threepence, groat, sixpence, shilling, half crown and crown pieces.

1664 Charles II Gold Guinea, with elephant below bust · Rare coin, worth around £8,000 · Struck during Charles II reign · The Elephant mark identifies the gold as being struck by the Royal African Company in their first year of issue who provided gold to the English Mint in the 1600s.

· The only date of Charles II first portrait two guinea to use the elephant mark was 1664, making this coin more collectable.

Charles I Newark Half Crown · Fairly rare and worth at least £2,000 · Dated between 1645-46 · The town of Newark, Nottinghamshire, where this coin was made was under siege at the time during the English civil war which explains its crude design.

William and Mary Shilling · Worth at least £2,000 · Co-joined bust of William and Mary during their two year joint reign from 1692-1693.

William 1st Penny (Bonnet) · Worth a minimum of £700 · Dates back to the time of William the Conqueror in the 11th century.

· There were at least 69 mints used during William I's reign with eight different pennies produced, including the Bonnet.

* Valuations from R.Ingram Coins, dependant on condition