Rare Canadian Pennies Worth Money: Key Dates, Varieties and a Value Chart by Year

Last reviewed October 1, 2026. Mintages from Royal Canadian Mint records; values from published price guides and auction results.

Most Canadian pennies are worth one cent. The valuable ones are a short list: the 1936 "dot" cent, of which only three are known; the low-mintage small cents of 1922 to 1926, led by 1923 and 1925; the 1858 first-year cent; and a few varieties such as the 1953 shoulder fold and the 1955 no shoulder fold. Condition matters as much as date, so a worn key date may bring tens of dollars while an uncirculated one can bring thousands.

Jump to: Value chart by year Key dates Varieties How to check yours FAQ

Canadian penny value chart by year

Canadian pennies fall into six groups by monarch and size. The chart shows which years in each group deserve a closer look. Anything not listed as a key date or variety is usually worth face value to a few cents in worn condition, and more only when it is uncirculated with original colour.

The "H" after some dates marks coins struck by the Heaton mint in Birmingham, England. Until the Ottawa Mint opened in 1908, Canadian pennies were struck in England.

The key dates: Canada's most valuable pennies

A low mintage is the starting point, but survival and condition decide the price. The figures below are published price-guide values and auction results reported in 2025 and 2026. They vary between sources and with the market, so treat them as a guide rather than an offer.

The 1936 dot cent

When Edward VIII abdicated in December 1936, the Mint had no dies ready for his brother, George VI. To keep production going into 1937, it kept striking 1936-dated coins with a small raised dot below the date to show they were made in 1937. Mint records list 678,823 dot cents, yet only three are known today. If you think you have one, have it authenticated: genuine examples are museum-grade rarities, and altered coins exist.

The 1922 to 1926 small cents

Canada switched to the smaller penny in 1920, and an economic slowdown in the early 1920s cut production sharply. The result is a run of low-mintage dates that collectors need for a complete set. The 1923 is often called the hardest to find in good condition, because only a fraction of the coins survived without heavy wear.

Varieties worth checking for

A variety is a design or production difference within the same year. Several Elizabeth II pennies come in versions worth far more than their common twins.

1953 and 1955: shoulder fold and no shoulder fold

The first portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, used from 1953, shows a fold of fabric (often called a strap) on the gown at her shoulder. On some dies this fold did not strike up, producing "no shoulder fold" coins. The rare version is different in each year:

• 1953: the no shoulder fold version is the common one. The 1953 shoulder fold is the scarce variety, with published values around $20 worn and $3,500 and up in top grades.
• 1955: the shoulder fold version is common, with over 56 million struck. The 1955 no shoulder fold is the scarce variety, listed at $100 and up even when worn and around $2,250 in MS-63.

Use a magnifying glass on the Queen's shoulder, just above the edge of the gown. A clear line of fabric means shoulder fold; a smooth shoulder means no shoulder fold.

1965 bead varieties

New dies introduced in 1965 replaced the rim teeth with beads, and striking problems produced several combinations of large and small beads and differently shaped 5s. Some combinations carry premiums; a current catalogue lists them.

2006: six versions of one year

2006 pennies come with a "P" below the Queen's portrait, the Mint's logo, or nothing at all, and each of those in both magnetic (copper-plated steel) and non-magnetic (copper-plated zinc) metal. Certain combinations are scarce. A magnet and a close look at the space below the portrait will tell you which you have.

How to check your pennies

1. Sort by date first. Pull out anything dated 1858 to 1936, plus 1953, 1955, 1965 and 2006. Most other dates can go back in the jar.
2. Look for marks. Check for an "H" below the date on Victorian and Edwardian coins, a dot below the date on 1936 coins, and the shoulder fold on 1953 and 1955 coins.
3. Judge the condition honestly. Sharp detail in the hair and leaves and original reddish colour mean much more value than a smooth brown coin.
4. Don't clean anything. Cleaning leaves fine scratches that collectors spot immediately, and it can wipe out most of a coin's value.
5. Look it up. The annual Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins is the standard reference. For a true rarity, a grading service such as ICCS, PCGS or NGC can authenticate and grade it.

Why condition changes a penny's value so much

Two coins of the same date can differ in value a hundredfold because of condition. Collectors grade coins on a scale from 1 to 70, and Canadian price guides quote values at set points along it. In plain terms:

Copper colour matters too. Uncirculated bronze pennies are described as red, red-brown or brown, depending on how much of the original mint colour remains, and full red coins bring the highest prices. A key date in Very Fine might be worth tens of dollars, while the same date in a high Mint State grade with red colour can be worth thousands.

What about common pennies like 1967 and 1969?

These are among the most searched dates, and the honest answer is that they are common. Mint records show over 345 million 1967 centennial "dove" pennies and over 335 million 1969 pennies. A circulated example is worth face value. An uncirculated coin with full original colour, or a genuine error such as a double strike, is the exception.

For valuable coins across every denomination, not just pennies, our guide to valuable Canadian coins in your pocket covers the key dates to watch for in circulation.

Frequently asked questions