1859 was the second year of issuance for the Canadian Penny. Mintage numbers have been ramped up from 421k to over 9.5 million making these coins more readily attainable and not as rare. However this coin would not be minted again for another 17 years.
What are 1859 Canadian Large Cents worth? Average values for the Large Cent Queen Victoria Penny issued in 1859 vary from location to location but on average you can expect to see this coins listed price to be around $5.00 in poor condition and $5000.00 in a mint state. However, if you are selling to a dealer you can expect to get a reduced rate of between $3.75-$3750 as dealers have to make some sort of profit.
- Year: 1859
- Type: Large Cent Queen Victoria Penny
- Private Party Value: $5.00-$5000.00+
- Dealer Price: $3.75-$3750+
- Face Value: 0.01 CAD
- Produced: 9,579,000
- Shape: Round
About: This coin would not be minted again for circulation until 1876. RD (Red) designation by certification companies make this coin worth more than say RB just like most copper cents. There are also several variations and errors to be aware of so scroll down.
Obverse (front)
Latin inscription, "VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA. CANADA", which means Victoria, Queen by the Grace of God. Young Queen Victoria with laurel wreath in her hair.
Reverse (back)
ONCE CENT and the Date in a circle located center. 16 total maple leaves wind their way around the outermost circle.
Designer: Leonard Charles Wyon (Obverse), Leonard Charles Wyon (Reverse)
History Repeats Itself
A well known and popular saying for a good reason. One of the best predictors of a coin's value is its historic sales. Here are a few sales records for the 1859 Canadian Large Cent. This may better give you an idea what your coin is worth.
| Sales Date | Coin | Grade | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-04-22 | 1859 Canadian Large Cent | F | $6 (eBay) |
| 2024-04-24 | 1859 Canadian Large Cent | XF | $8 (eBay) |
| 2023-01-17 | 1859 Canadian Large Cent | AU 55 | $192 (Stacks Bowers) |
| 2023-11-02 | 1859 Canadian Large Cent | MS63 BN | $168 (Stacks Bowers) |
| 2011-04-18 | 1859 Canadian Large Cent | MS63 RB | $242 (Heritage) |
| 2023-09-13 | 1859 Canadian Large Cent | MS63 RB | $360 (Stacks Bowers) |
| 2023-08-01 | 1859 Canadian Large Cent | MS65 RB | $7,200 (Stacks Bowers) |
| Sales Date | Coin | Grade | Price |
Variations and Errors
Known variations include
- Narrow 9 - Double 8
- Narrow 9 - Double 5
- Narrow 9 - Double 1
- Narrow 9 - Wide 9
- Narrow 9 - Low 9 - number 9 sits slightly lower than the 185 in 1859
- Brass Mintage Error
Where is the mint mark located? If the coin in question has a mint mark it will be at the bottom center of the reverse. Look for an H which stands for Heaton Mint located in Birmingham England. 
Important Dates:
1858,1876-H,1884,1891,1894,1908 C are rare semi-key, key, and general dates of interest to collectors.
In 1890 the H for Heaton mint was again present on the reverse bottom center.
The 1884 Canadian Large Cent / Penny is considered an important and semi-key date to remember for collectors of Canadian Coinage for both the rather low mintage numbers and the fact that the coin no longer contains the H (Heaton) mint mark.
Until the 1876 H Large Cent was minted at the Heaton (H) mint, a standardized cent for Canada had not been in use for 17 years. Because of this the 1876 H Canadian penny is considered a key date in Canadian coinage history.
The 1882 H Canadian Large Cent featuring Queen Victoria represents the first bit of consistency as it was the first time that the Heaton Mint in Birmingham England produces these coins 2 straight consecutive years. Before 1882 the minting was spotty at best.
The 1882 H Canadian Large Cent featuring Queen Victoria represents the first bit of consistency as it was the first time that the Heaton Mint in Birmingham England produces these coins 2 straight consecutive years. Before 1882 the minting was spotty at best.
