Canada 1859 One Cent Coin Large Penny Queen Victoria Regina KM# 1 (images taken in natural light and with flash, to show the details)

Features

Issuer Canada

Queen Victoria (1837-1901)

Type Standard circulation coin

Years 1858-1859

Value 1 Cent

0.01 CAD = USD 0.0073

Currency Canadian dollar (1858-date)

Composition Bronze (Cu 95%, Sn 4%, Zn 1%)

Weight 4.54 g

Diameter 25.4 mm

Thickness 1.21 mm

Shape Round

Technique Milled

Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑

Number N# 7984

References KM# 1, Schön# 1

Obverse

Head of the very young Queen Victoria wearing a laurel wreath, facing left.

Script: Latin

Lettering:

VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA.

CANADA

Unabridged legend: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA

Translation:

Victoria Queen by the grace of God

Engraver: Leonard Charles Wyon

Reverse

Face value and date in a wreath made of a vine branch and 16 maple leaves.

Script: Latin

Lettering:

ONE

CENT

1859

Engraver: Leonard Charles Wyon

Edge

Plain

Mint

Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975)

Comments

These coins were used as a measurement standard : One coin diameter was 1 inch. 100 coins weighed one avoirdupois pound (US pound). Several minor variations exist, sometimes not listed in the catalogs.

Due to the high mintage and heavy weight, the coins were unpopular and many remained unused due to low demand. As a result of re-punching and overdates, up to 12 different varieties exist. Many of these varieties are difficult to identify and only some are widely collected and recognised.