½ Cent - Victoria

Features

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
Number
N#
22550
References KM# 5
Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States.
And 5 more volumes.

Obverse

Bust of Victoria to left.

Script: Latin

Lettering: VICTORIA D:G: BRITT:REG:F:D:

Engraver: Leonard Charles Wyon

Reverse

Date and crown within beaded circle, value above.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
HALF CENT
1861
NEW BRUNSWICK

Edge

Plain

Mint

Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London, United Kingdom (1810-1975)

Comments

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.

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Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC Frequency
1861  Photo 222 800 $ 360 92%
1861  6% Proof

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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Numista Rarity index: 61 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Past sales

Pictures Sale Date Version Grade Sold price
Heritage Auctions
2023 June 4 Spotlight: Canada World Coins Showcase Auction 61318
Lot 21007
Internet Archive
4 Jun 2023 1861 UNC
(NGC MS62 Brown)
USD 312.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold ½ Cent - VictoriaPicture 1 of a sold ½ Cent - Victoria
Heritage Auctions
Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Weekly Online Auction 232051
Lot 63293
Internet Archive
16 Dec 2020 1861 UNC
(NGC MS62 Brown)
USD 432.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold ½ Cent - VictoriaPicture 1 of a sold ½ Cent - Victoria
Heritage Auctions
Thursday World & Ancient Coins Weekly Online Auction 231934
Lot 64217
Internet Archive
22 Aug 2019 1861 AU
(NGC AU Details (Cleaned))
USD 120.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
See the sales

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