While billions of Canadian cents (pennies) were minted between Confederation in 1867 and the commemorative end date shown on the 1992 issue, a small number of specific dates and minting errors have become legendary among collectors, with auction records reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. These are the ultra-rare coins that every Canadian coin collector dreams of finding.
Here are the Canadian cents from this era that command the highest values:
👑 The $400,000+ King: The 1936 Dot Cent
This coin is arguably the most famous and valuable penny ever produced in Canada.
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The Error: Due to a constitutional crisis following the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936, the Royal Canadian Mint did not have an approved design for the new King George VI coinage ready for 1937. To solve the problem, they re-used 1936-dated dies but added a small, raised dot beneath the date to indicate the coins were minted in 1937.
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Rarity: Only five examples of the 1936 Dot Cent are currently known.
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Value: High-grade examples have commanded six-figure prices reaching beyond $400,000 at auction.
📉 The Low-Mintage Key Dates (Early 20th Century)
The economic conditions in the 1920s led to extremely low mintages for some Canadian cents, making them rare and valuable today, even in worn condition.
| Year | Mintage | Condition | Approximate Value (USD) | Why It’s Valuable |
| 1925 | 1,000,652 | Near-Mint | Up to $2,700 | Lowest mintage regular-issue small cent. |
| 1922 | 1,243,635 | Near-Mint | Up to $1,900+ | Rare due to low mintage and difficulty finding in great shape. |
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Tip: Even well-worn 1925 Canadian cents can be worth over $25.
🔍 Valuable Varieties and Errors
Some valuable coins are distinguished by a small, subtle detail or an error that occurred during minting:
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1953 “Shoulder Fold” Penny: After Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, a design change meant some coins were struck with a shoulder strap or fold on her gown, while others were struck without. The variety with the shoulder fold is scarcer, with a set selling for over $3,200 in proof condition.
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1955 “No Shoulder Fold” Penny: The 1955 No Shoulder Fold variety is also a significant rarity, valued between $125 and $700+ depending on the condition.
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1955 Doubled Die Penny: This error, featuring a noticeable doubling of the date and lettering, is highly sought after by collectors. High-grade examples can reach significant prices.
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1965 “Large Beads, Pointed 5”: This variety features differences in the ornamental beads surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy and the shaping of the ‘5’ in the date. This specific combination is considered the scarcest regular-issue variety from that year, valued from $3 (circulated) to over $20 (uncirculated).
🚨 Beyond the Penny (The Multi-Million Dollar Canadian Rarity)
While the penny itself has incredible finds, the most valuable coin ever minted by Canada is the 2007 $1 Million Gold Maple Leaf.
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The Coin: This massive 100-kilogram coin, made of 99.999% pure gold, was originally a showpiece.
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Value: It has a face value of $1 million Canadian, but its gold content and rarity value it far higher, often cited at over $5 Million.
If you are looking through Canadian pennies from this historical period (1867-1992), pay close attention to the 1936 Dot, the low-mintage years of the 1920s, and the minute details around Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait in the 1950s. Remember that a coin’s value is determined by its rarity, condition (high-grade, uncleaned coins are preferred), and market demand.
Would you like me to focus on the key visual features of the 1936 Dot Penny so you can check your own collection?
