Expert: Brad Swain - 12/10/2009

Question
I have a canadian one cent piece. on the front it says.Victoria Dei Gratia Regina, it is one cent and the date is 1859. Can you please me know if it is worth anything? Thank you Luann

Answer
Hi Luann, There were 9.6 million of the 1859 Canadian cent coins minted that year featuring British Queen Victoria (1837-1901). The most common variety's collector value may be worth about $1 with heavy wear to around $5 with moderate wear to maybe $7 with light wear.
1859 saw many small varieties in the 1 cent coins. The most common variety is the standard Narrow 9, of which there is a sub variety known as the Low 9. Several left over 1858 dies were re-punched to change the date from 1858 to 1859 without first erasing the second 8, sometimes resulted in part of the 8 still visible below the 9, and are known as a 9 over 8 (or 9/8) varieties. Other varieties are known as "double punch varieties" probably are a type of 9/8 but with no trace of the old 8 visible, but have slightly oddly shaped 9's. To understand the differences between the many 1859 varieties, it is best to consult the pictures of them in the Charlton standard catalogue of Canadian Coins.
More info: http://varieties.piczo.com/?cr=3
You might try Ebay.com for similar pieces for comparison.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.  
Brad