THIS image has been released of a man police would like to speak with following the theft of an antique coin.

The man asked to look at two antique coins in the Antiques Centre in Stonegate on Saturday morning when it is believed he then switched one of the coins for one with a lower value, police said.

The stolen coin is a cartwheel two pence piece from 1797, valued at around £85.

The man police would like to speak to is described as black, 6ft 2in tall with a slim to medium build and aged in his late 30s to 40’s with an unshaven complexion.

At the time he was wearing a 1970s style pale tweed jacket with leather patches, a dark coloured scarf, dark coloured trousers, dark shoes with buckles on them and a dark hat. He spoke with an American accent.

PC Amy Littlejohns, of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “If you are the man caught on CCTV and you are not responsible for the theft, please come forward so that I can eliminate you from my inquiries.”

Anyone who can help the police with their enquiries is asked to contact on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference number 12130030489.