Expert: Brad Swain - 10/28/2009

Question
I have a 1967 Canadian Bicentennial cent.  I completely realize that it is worth only a cent or so.  My question is on my coin the reverse is rotated completely upside down.  If you hold the coin obverse up with Lizzy's head up and flip the coin head of heals the dove is now upside down which is opposite to US coins!  Is this a mint error or is this typical of Canadian coinage?

Answer
Hi Chuck, The 1967 coins were struck for the centennial (100 years) of the Canadian Confederation.
Most world coins are struck with 'coin rotation'. This means when looking at the face, if it is flipped over left to right, or right to left, the opposite side is upside down. If the other side is right side up then it is called 'medal rotation'. Canada's coins have medal rotation as opposed to the U.S.'s coin rotation.
Brad