1938 Canadian Penny / Cent minted in Ottawa Canada was a copper penny that generally comes in 3 colors. Red, Red Brown, and Brown with Red (RD) being the most sought after.
What are 1938 Canadian Pennys worth? Average values for the Canadian Cent George VI issued in 1938 vary from location to location but on average you can expect to see this coins listed price to be around $3.00 in poor condition and $50.00 in a mint state. However, if you are selling to a dealer you can expect to get a reduced rate of between $2.25-$37.5 as dealers have to make some sort of profit.
- Year: 1938
- Type: Canadian Cent George VI
- Private Party Value: $3.00-$50.00+
- Dealer Price: $2.25-$37.5+
- Face Value: 0.01 CAD
- Produced: 18,365,608
- Shape: Round
About: 1938 Canadian Cents are affordable to collect, as even high end specimens are only worth $30-$50. That being said if you are looking for something costly to help store your wealth for generations, this is likely not the coin. Check the key dates section below for the most valuable of these.
Obverse (front)
Latin words "GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA REX ET INDIA IMPERATOR" which literally mean "George VI, by the grace of God, King and Emperor of India" King George VI facing to the left. Initials HP stand for the engraver Thomas Humphrey Paget.
Reverse (back)
The number 1 present along with the words Cent and the country name Canada. Date will be present as well. Engraver initials KG which stand for George Kruger Gray.
Designer: Thomas Humphrey Paget (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 1938 Canadian Penny. This may better give you an idea what your coin is worth.
| Sales Date | Coin | Grade | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-04-20 | 1938 Canadian Penny | XF40 | $6 (Heritage) |
| 2011-01-11 | 1938 Canadian Penny | MS64 RB | $21 (Heritage) |
| 2013-05-02 | 1938 Canadian Penny | MS65 RD | $40 (Heritage) |
| Sales Date | Coin | Grade | Price |
Variations and Errors
- 1938 Red (RD)
- 1938 Red Brown (RB)
- 1938 Brown (BN)
Where is the mint mark located? These coins were minted at the Ottawa mint located in Ontario. As there was only one mint there was no reason to differentiate according to our records.
Important Dates:
These are the key dates for the 1 Cent - George VI.
- 1937 - this was the first year the coin was issued and a key date in the series.
- 1942 - semi key date as the composition of the coin changed.
- 1947 - 10th year of reign, some special anniversary coins were minted.
- 1952 - The final year of issuance and the year that George VI died.
1938 Canadian Penny / Cent minted in Ottawa Canada was a copper penny that generally comes in 3 colors. Red, Red Brown, and Brown with Red (RD) being the most sought after.
1937 was the first year the King George VI Canadian 1c piece was issued by the Canadian Mint in Ottawa. This coin is considered by most to be a key date in the series.
1937 was the first year the King George VI Canadian 1c piece was issued by the Canadian Mint in Ottawa. This coin is considered by most to be a key date in the series.
