© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
½ Cent - Victoria
1861 year| Bronze (.95 copper, .04 tin, .01 zinc) | 2.84 g | 20.65 mm |
| Issuer | New Brunswick (Canadian provinces) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Victoria (1855-1901) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1861 |
| Value | ½ Cent (0.005) |
| Currency | Dollar (1860-1867) |
| Composition | Bronze (.95 copper, .04 tin, .01 zinc) |
| Weight | 2.84 g |
| Diameter | 20.65 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#22550 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 61% |
Reverse
Date and crown within beaded circle, value above.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
HALF CENT
1861
NEW BRUNSWICK
Edge
Plain
Comment
The law coins were minted accidentally. The pound was = $4.86 in New Brunswick slightly devalued, the same as province of Canada and the US. But Nova Scotia valued it at $5 meaning they needed a half cent piece. When the order was sent for 1/2c & 1c Nova Scotia and 1c New Brunswick it was assumed NB needed the half too.The mistake was realised when 222,800 were minted, most remained at the mint and were melted down but it appears that several thousand may have made it to Nova Scotia.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the ½ Cent - Victoria 1861 coin from New Brunswick is that it was the first coin to feature the young Queen Victoria, who was only 18 years old at the time of its minting. This coin was also unique in that it was the first Canadian coin to bear the image of a reigning monarch.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1861 | 222800 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Cent - Victoria 1861 coin.
