Collectors Corner: Large penny, small nickel

By Ron Schmidt on February 29, 2020.

medhatcsc@live.com

The coins I am writing about here are not the normal-size penny and nickel. The “large” penny is about the size of a loonie and the “small” nickel is smaller than a dime. It’s very often mistaken for a dime.

The first of the large pennies under the Province of Canada was issued in 1858 with a value of about $40 or more. A 1858, with Victoria having laureate and wreath will range in price from $50 and up. The 1859 also has several varieties, some of which fetch in the hundreds of dollars (mostly for the double date), and around $3 and up for the common coin. Some varieties in 1959 are over $400. That year they also made a brass coin which may start at over $10,000. The first Canadian penny “Victoria” large penny came out in 1876. These average coins range in price from $1-$3 unless you, again, have certain varieties, which in some cases could be worth up to $100 or more. These varieties are very hard to see in the average condition as it may be worn to much to make out the differences. You need a better quality coin to see the differences. The varieties are mostly in the leaf design. Also in the 1876, Queen Victoria is crowned, and the wreath is with provincial leaves. Price range starts from $3. The prices I am giving are based on a coin in VG condition. In 1884-1891 the wreath changed to large leaves. Price from $3 and some varieties over $125. In 1891-1901 the wreath changed again to small leaves. Price range from $3 to $20. In 1902 King Edward VII made his appearance. Price range from $1-$3. In 1911 King George V without DEI GRA came out. Price range $.75-$1.25. From 1912-1920 King George V with DEI GRA. Price range $.75-$1.25. In 1920 they also started with the small penny or as we may know it today. Two sizes of the penny in 1920 were issued, the large and small.

The first nickel under the reign of Queen Victoria was in 1858, like the pennies they were issued under the Province of Canada. There are eight varieties of this year starting around $10. These were very small and get easily confused with a dime. The small nickels were actually made of .925 silver therefore wear very easily so not very many in good condition. Most of this year range in price, (in the poorest condition), from $5 upward, The next year the nickel was issued was in 1970. Nickels were not produced every year. Most range in the $5 price with the exception of the years 1875 and 1884, which can bring from $100 to more than $1,000 depending on condition. In 1890 the price drops on these coins in G grade starting from $1-$20 with the exception of a 1921. The book value of the 1921 coin in VG condition is more than $5,000, going as high as $15,000 if certified and in AU condition. The same thing applies as the pennies, leaf design was the major differences on types of varieties. 1921 was the last year of the small nickel and then they went to the size we know now. These varieties are described with plenty of pictures to see what to look out for are in the Charlton Canadian Coin Catalogue Volume 1. This can be purchased at your local coin dealers, or at the coin club.

I would like to remind you of our Spring Coin & Stamp Show on April 4 at Higdon Hall (Stampede grounds) from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It will be a good time to bring in a few coins to see what they are worth and you can purchase all your coin supplies there also. Coin and stamp dealers from across Alberta and Saskatchewan and will be there to possibly buy, sell and trade.

Collector’s Corner is contributed by the Medicine Hat Coin & Stamp Club. For questions or comments about coin or stamp collection email medhatcsc@live.com.

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