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A batch of 1954 pennies were struck to test the dies. The mint decided not to issue these or strike anymore as there were plenty of pennies in circulation. As you are probably aware there were no British pennies struck until 1961. The mint ordered all pennies dated 1954 to be melted. It is believed that just one penny escaped melting and surfaced years later. It is not known whether the coin was stolen or just found its way into circulation with a batch of pennies after 1961. The coin has changed hands quite a few times and is in a private collection. The coin pictured on the "Tony Clayton" site is of the genuine coin. About ten years ago a 1954 penny was advertised on Ebay. This coin was clearly a fake, as it had the obverse of 1953 pennies. At that time I advised the seller that it was most likely that the coin was a fake and asked her what she would do if it sold for £50,000 ! and the problems that could follow if the buyer contested its authenticity, the Ebay fee's, the Paypal charges etc. The lady selling the coin immediately removed the listing and the coin disappeared off the radar. I am attaching the pictures of the coin auctioned on Ebay, not very good pictures that were copied at the time.