1 cent 1881 - Canadian coins price guide and values - Coins and Canada

1 cent 1881

1 cent 1881

You can identify the obverses with the obverses comparaison tool.

Between 1876 and 1881, no 1-cent coin was produced in the Province of Canada.

1 cent 1881 prices and values

The value of a Canadian coin depends on several factors such as quality and wear, supply and demand, rarity, finish and more.

Slide

Variety AG-3 G-4 VG-8 F-12 VF-20 EF-40 AU-50
1881 - H $1.50$5.90$7.20$9.50$15.10$31.80$46.40
1881 - H - Double N ---$30.00---
1881 - H - Triple N $7.50$24.50$34.30$37.00$37.50$80.80$181
1881 - H - Double die #1 $15.00$20.00$24.50$49.00$73.50$128$245
1881 - H - Double die #2 $10.00$14.70$24.50$49.00$77.80$162$245
1881 - H - Single Serif N $80.00$98.00$147$294$441$882$1,760
1881 - H - Micro D ---$70.00$82.60--
1881 - Obverse # 1a - H -------

Circulated: 1 cent 1881 coins are business strike coins showing signs of circulation and/or wear.

Values and details of proof-like, specimen and proof coins are grouped under not intended for circulation tab. Select a date or variety to find the values and prices of all grades available.

Variety MS-60 MS-62 MS-63 MS-64 MS-65 MS-66 MS-67
1881 - H $90.40$172$349$645$3,150--
1881 - H - Double N -------
1881 - H - Triple N $475$563$650----
1881 - H - Double die #1 -------
1881 - H - Double die #2 $1,080--$4,840---
1881 - H - Single Serif N -------
1881 - H - Micro D --$1,000----
1881 - Obverse # 1a - H -------

Mint state defines business strike coins that barely or never has been in circulation.

Values and details of proof-like, specimen and proof coins are grouped under not intended for circulation tab. Select a date or variety to find the values and prices of all grades available.

Varieties and features

1 cent 1881 - H

All 1881 1-cent coins have a H (Heaton Mint) mintmark under the date.

1 cent 1881 - H

  • Mintage:
    • Circulation: 2,000,000
  • Alloy and composition: 95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc
  • Magnetism: Non-magnetic
  • Weight: 5.67 g
  • Diameter: 25.4 mm
  • Edge: Plain (smooth)
  • Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
  • Minted by: Heaton Mint
  • Finish(es) (types):
    • Circulation
    • Specimen
  • Legend (lettering):
    • Obverse: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA
    • Reverse: ONE CENT 1881 H
  • Design(s):
    • Obverse: Bust of queen Victoria wearing a diadem in her hair with beaded circle.
    • Reverse: Serpentine motif of 16 maple leaves with beaded circle.
  • Designer(s):
    • Obverse: Leonard Charles Wyon
    • Reverse: Leonard Charles Wyon

1 cent 1881 - H - Double N

Repunched N of REGINA.

1 cent 1881 - Double N

  • Mintage:
    • Circulation: Included above.
  • Alloy and composition: 95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc
  • Magnetism: Non-magnetic
  • Weight: 5.67 g
  • Diameter: 25.4 mm
  • Edge: Plain (smooth)
  • Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
  • Minted by: Heaton Mint
  • Finish(es) (types):
    • Circulation
  • Legend (lettering):
    • Obverse: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA
    • Reverse: ONE CENT 1881 H
  • Design(s):
    • Obverse: Bust of queen Victoria wearing a diadem in her hair with beaded circle.
    • Reverse: Serpentine motif of 16 maple leaves with beaded circle.
  • Designer(s):
    • Obverse: Leonard Charles Wyon
    • Reverse: Leonard Charles Wyon

1 cent 1881 - H - Triple N

1 cent 1881 - Triple N

  • Mintage:
    • Circulation: Included above.
  • Alloy and composition: 95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc
  • Magnetism: Non-magnetic
  • Weight: 5.67 g
  • Diameter: 25.4 mm
  • Edge: Plain (smooth)
  • Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
  • Minted by: Heaton Mint
  • Finish(es) (types):
    • Circulation
  • Legend (lettering):
    • Obverse: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA
    • Reverse: ONE CENT 1881 H
  • Design(s):
    • Obverse: Bust of queen Victoria wearing a diadem in her hair with beaded circle.
    • Reverse: Serpentine motif of 16 maple leaves with beaded circle.
  • Designer(s):
    • Obverse: Leonard Charles Wyon
    • Reverse: Leonard Charles Wyon

1 cent 1881 - H - Double die #1

Punch doubling affecting all letters in legend on the obverse.

1 cent 1881 - Double die #1

  • Mintage:
    • Circulation: Included above.
  • Alloy and composition: 95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc
  • Magnetism: Non-magnetic
  • Weight: 5.67 g
  • Diameter: 25.4 mm
  • Edge: Plain (smooth)
  • Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
  • Minted by: Heaton Mint
  • Finish(es) (types):
    • Circulation
  • Legend (lettering):
    • Obverse: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA
    • Reverse: ONE CENT 1881 H
  • Design(s):
    • Obverse: Bust of queen Victoria wearing a diadem in her hair with beaded circle.
    • Reverse: Serpentine motif of 16 maple leaves with beaded circle.
  • Designer(s):
    • Obverse: Leonard Charles Wyon
    • Reverse: Leonard Charles Wyon

1 cent 1881 - H - Double die #2

Heavy punch doubling affecting most letters in legend on the obverse.

1 cent 1881 - Double die #2

  • Mintage:
    • Circulation: Included above.
  • Alloy and composition: 95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc
  • Magnetism: Non-magnetic
  • Weight: 5.67 g
  • Diameter: 25.4 mm
  • Edge: Plain (smooth)
  • Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
  • Minted by: Heaton Mint
  • Finish(es) (types):
    • Circulation
  • Legend (lettering):
    • Obverse: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA
    • Reverse: ONE CENT 1881 H
  • Design(s):
    • Obverse: Bust of queen Victoria wearing a diadem in her hair with beaded circle.
    • Reverse: Serpentine motif of 16 maple leaves with beaded circle.
  • Designer(s):
    • Obverse: Leonard Charles Wyon
    • Reverse: Leonard Charles Wyon

1 cent 1881 - H - Single Serif N

1 cent 1881 - H - Single Serif N

  • Mintage:
    • Circulation: Included above.
  • Alloy and composition: 95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc
  • Magnetism: Non-magnetic
  • Weight: 5.67 g
  • Diameter: 25.4 mm
  • Edge: Plain (smooth)
  • Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
  • Minted by: Heaton Mint
  • Finish(es) (types):
    • Circulation
  • Legend (lettering):
    • Obverse: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA
    • Reverse: ONE CENT 1881 H
  • Design(s):
    • Obverse: Bust of queen Victoria wearing a diadem in her hair with beaded circle.
    • Reverse: Serpentine motif of 16 maple leaves with beaded circle.
  • Designer(s):
    • Obverse: Leonard Charles Wyon
    • Reverse: Leonard Charles Wyon

1 cent 1881 - H - Micro D

1 cent 1881 - Micro D

  • Mintage:
    • Circulation: Included above.
  • Alloy and composition: 95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc
  • Magnetism: Non-magnetic
  • Weight: 5.67 g
  • Diameter: 25.4 mm
  • Edge: Plain (smooth)
  • Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
  • Minted by: Heaton Mint
  • Finish(es) (types):
    • Circulation
  • Legend (lettering):
    • Obverse: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA
    • Reverse: ONE CENT 1881 H
  • Design(s):
    • Obverse: Bust of queen Victoria wearing a diadem in her hair with beaded circle.
    • Reverse: Serpentine motif of 16 maple leaves with beaded circle.
  • Designer(s):
    • Obverse: Leonard Charles Wyon
    • Reverse: Leonard Charles Wyon

1 cent 1881 - Obverse # 1a - H

  • Mintage:
    • Circulation: Included above.
  • Alloy and composition: 95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc
  • Magnetism: Non-magnetic
  • Weight: 5.67 g
  • Diameter: 25.4 mm
  • Edge: Plain (smooth)
  • Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
  • Minted by: Heaton Mint
  • Finish(es) (types):
    • Circulation
  • Legend (lettering):
    • Obverse: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA
    • Reverse: ONE CENT 1881 H
  • Design(s):
    • Obverse: Bust of queen Victoria wearing a diadem in her hair with beaded circle.
    • Reverse: Serpentine motif of 16 maple leaves with beaded circle.
  • Designer(s):
    • Obverse: Leonard Charles Wyon
    • Reverse: Leonard Charles Wyon

Errors and varieties from the community

Most of the following pictures come from the generous contribution of the community. Titles attributed to them doesn't always reflect the exact error or variety on them. Feel free to let us know in the discussion board if you see one picture that need to be fixed.

Die errors and varietiesSource
#1431 1 cent 1881H - Die clash at the bottom of the reverse killerbee
#1062 1 cent 1881H - Die clash of the last 1 of the date Martel
#56 1 cent 1881H - Die cracks between the leaves Fiston2005
#66 1 cent 1881H - Double lettersZoell #R4d - R4c - Major Coin Varieties - 4th Edition - 1966 Sous-franc
#3810 1 cent 1881H - Repunched N in ReginaCH # Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins 65th Edition - Page 307 scott g
#3811 1 cent 1881H - Triple NCH # Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins 65th Edition - Page 305 scott g
#685 1 cent 1881H - Retained broken die Dot36
Miscellaneous / UnclassifiedSource
#1243 1 cent 1881H - Double last 1 of the date Dot36
#2226 1 cent 1881H - Double legend ainsivalavie
#3812 1 cent 1881H - Micro D in DEICH # Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins 65th Edition - Page 304 scott g
#2235 1 cent 1881H - Repunched Vict of Victoria Lightw4re
#4203 1 cent 1881H - Incomplete D's Gustavo Tarranaga
#28 1 cent 1881H - Letter 0 incomplete in VictoriaZoell #S4b - Minor Coin Varieties - 3th Edition - 1965 Franky

Auctions prices and values

Renowned collections

Recent sales of coins from famous collections and identified on third party holders are listed below.

  • August 25, 2019 - Cook - $138 - PCGS (MS-60) H - UNC Details - Cleaned
  • August 15, 2019 - Cook - $671 - PCGS (MS-64) H - MS-64+ - Red and Brown
  • August 15, 2019 - Cook - $7,986 - PCGS (SP-66) H - Red and Brown

View the average prices of certified 1 cent 1881 sold at auctions »

Last update : Friday, December 29, 2023

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