1858 Canada One Cent - VF+

1858 Canada One Cent - VF+
CA$125.00

1858 Canada Large Cent — the first year of the Canadian one-cent coin and one of the most historically important issues in Canadian numismatics. 

  • Country: Province of Canada

  • Denomination: One Cent

  • Year: 1858

  • Metal: 95% copper (large, heavy copper coin)

  • Diameter: ~25.4 mm

  • Edge: Plain

  • Designer: Leonard Charles Wyon

Design details

  • Obverse (not shown): Queen Victoria (young head), facing left

  • Reverse (shown):

    • “ONE CENT” and date 1858

    • Wreath of maple leaves — the first appearance of maple leaves on Canadian coinage

    • Beaded inner circle and toothed border

This reverse design became a national symbol and firmly linked the maple leaf with Canada’s identity.

Historical significance

  • First Canadian cent ever issued

  • Struck during the transition from British colonial coinage to a distinctly Canadian system