© Pedro Branco (CC BY)
© Pedro Branco (CC BY)
½ Penny - Victoria
1856 year| Bronze | 7.60 g | 27.7 mm |
| Issuer | Nova Scotia (Canadian provinces) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Victoria (1855-1901) |
| Type | Token |
| Year | 1856 |
| Value | ½ Penny (1⁄480) |
| Currency | Pound (1812-1860) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 7.60 g |
| Diameter | 27.7 mm |
| Thickness | 1.7 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#935 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 31% |
Reverse
A bouquet of Mayflowers (nickname of this coin).
Script: Latin
Lettering:
PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA
HALFPENNY TOKEN
Designer: John S. Thompson
Edge
Plain
Comment
Weight: 7.1 - 7.9gDiameter: 27.7 - 27.8mm
NS-5A1 Bronze, medal alignment
NS-5A1a Bronze, coin alignment
NS-5A2 Brass, medal alignment
Note: 2 obverse varieties, one with and one without the designers initials (L.C.W.) below the queen's bust. It appears that the with L.C.W. was struck only as proofs.
Proofs of the no L.C.W. also exist.
A variety of the no L.C.W. was struck from a blundered die where an inverted "A" punch was used to repair a defective "V" in PROVINCE.
This was the first official (government-approved) coin of Nova Scotia. The reverse design, a sprig of mayflower, is now the provincial flower and is considered one of the most beautiful coins made for North America.
These coins were minted by the Heaton's Mint as the Royal Mint of London was overworked.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Token ½ Penny - Victoria 1856 from Nova Scotia (Canadian provinces) made of Bronze weighing 7.60 g is that it was used as a substitute for the official Canadian coinage, which was scarce at the time. The token was issued by private companies and individuals and was accepted as legal tender in many parts of Canada. This coin is a rare and valuable collector's item today, with some specimens selling for thousands of dollars.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1856 | 720000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Penny - Victoria 1856 coin.
