1 cent 1920 - Canadian coins price guide and values - Coins and Canada

1 cent 1920

1 cent 1920

Because the increasing price of copper, the Mint decided in 1920 to make smaller 1 cent coins, similar to the United States ones. Until the 1930s, the large ones were still circulating. The reverse changed from the serpentine motif of 16 maple leaves with beaded circle to 2 maple leaves, no rim denticles or beads.

1 cent 1920 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
1920 - Large $0.60$0.75$1.15$1.70$2.50$4.60$10.50
1920 - Small $0.25$0.30$0.40$0.55$1.00$1.95$7.40

Circulated: 1 cent 1920 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
1920 - Large $24.00$41.00$85.20$258$1,300$4,390-
1920 - Small $19.20$33.40$59.80$139$650$6,000-

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 1920 - Large

1 cent 1920 - Large

  • Mintage:
    • Circulation: 6,762,247
  • 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: Royal Canadian Mint
  • Finish(es) (types):
    • Circulation
  • Legend (lettering):
    • Obverse: GEORGIVS V DEI GRATIA : REX ET IND : IMP :
    • Reverse: ONE CENT CANADA ‐ 1920
  • Design(s):
    • Obverse: Bust of king George V.
    • Reverse: Serpentine motif of 16 maple leaves with beaded circle.
  • Designer(s):
    • Obverse: Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal
    • Reverse: William Henry James Blakemore

1 cent 1920 - Small

1 cent 1920 - Small

  • Mintage:
    • Circulation: 15,483,923
  • Alloy and composition: 95.5% copper, 3% tin, 1.5% zinc
  • Magnetism: Non-magnetic
  • Weight: 3.24 g
  • Diameter: 19.05 mm
  • Edge: Plain (smooth)
  • Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
  • Minted by: Royal Canadian Mint
  • Finish(es) (types):
    • Circulation
    • Specimen
  • Legend (lettering):
    • Obverse: GEORGIVS V DEI GRATIA : REX ET IND : IMP :
    • Reverse: CANADA ONE CENT 1920
  • Design(s):
    • Obverse: Bust of king George V, no rim denticles or beads.
    • Reverse: 2 maple leaves, no rim denticles or beads.
  • Designer(s):
    • Obverse: Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal
    • Reverse: Fred Lewis

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
#2611 1 cent 1920 - Large - Die clash near the leaves centurion
#667 1 cent 1920 - Die crack on ET IND savignac
#2539 1 cent 1920 - Die crack on the legend ainsivalavie
#1690 1 cent 1920 - Die crack on the right of the reverse AndreT
Miscellaneous / UnclassifiedSource
#2453 1 cent 1920 - Double 19 ainsivalavie

Auctions prices and values

Renowned collections

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

  • February 5, 2023 - Cook - $23,366 - PCGS (SP-64) Small - Red
  • February 5, 2023 - Pittman - $656 - PCGS (MS-65) Small - Red
  • January 8, 2022 - Cook - $777 - PCGS (MS-65) Small - Red and Brown
  • August 25, 2019 - Cook - $445 - PCGS (MS-65) Small - Red and Brown
  • August 15, 2019 - Cook - $13,177 - PCGS (SP-64) Small - Red
  • August 15, 2019 - Cook - $1,597 - PCGS (MS-65) Large - Red

View the average prices of certified 1 cent 1920 sold at auctions »

Last update : Monday, January 1, 2024

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