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.