1915 Canadian Large Cent (1¢) Value Guide
Complete 1915 Canadian Large Cent price guide with values by grade (G4–MS66), colour designation (Red, Red-Brown, Brown), and rare Specimen finish. Includes the $9,750 CAD Landon auction record and 2024–2025 market values.
Most 1915 Canadian Large Cents are worth $2.00–$75.00 CAD in circulated condition. In Gem Mint State with original Red luster (MS-65 RD), values reach $800–$1,200. The record price for this date is $9,750 CAD, achieved by an ICCS MS-66 Red example from the landmark Landon Collection sale.
- Circulated (G-4 to AU-50, Brown):$2.00–$75.00
- Uncirculated (MS-60, Brown):$75–$125
- Select Gem (MS-63, Red-Brown):$150–$250
- Gem Uncirculated (MS-64, Red):$400–$600
- Gem Uncirculated (MS-65, Red):$800–$1,200
- Superb Gem (MS-66, Red):$5,000–$10,000
- Specimen (SP-65):$2,500+
All values in CAD as of 2024–2025. This coin is bronze — not silver — and is non-magnetic. Colour designation drives enormous price differences in uncirculated grades: a Brown MS-65 trades near $300, while the same coin in Red commands $800–$1,200. A sharply struck example with unusually mirror-like or matte fields is almost certainly a Specimen (SP) strike, not a high-grade business strike — see the Specimen section below. See full value chart →
1915 Canadian Large Cent — obverse featuring King George V's crowned portrait by Sir E.B. MacKennal (note the B.M. initials at the bust truncation and the full corrected legend GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: REX ET IND: IMP:) and reverse featuring W.H.J. Blakemore's Maple Vine design with the beaded circle enclosing ONE CENT CANADA 1915.
The 1915 Canadian Large Cent is a wartime issue within the George V series (1911–1920), struck exclusively at the Ottawa Mint during the second year of the First World War. By 1915, the controversial 1911 omission of DEI GRA — which sparked the "Godless Coinage" outcry — had been corrected since 1912, and all 1915 examples bear the full, stabilised legend. With an official mintage of 4,932,134 pieces, the coin is readily found in circulated grades, but emerges as a genuine condition rarity in Gem Mint State with original Red luster — a product of wartime neglect and the highly reactive bronze alloy. The Canadian penny was withdrawn from circulation on February 4, 2013, but all Large Cents remain legal tender and are actively collected. For values across all Canadian penny dates, see our Canadian Penny Value Guide.
Note: Production errors such as off-centre strikes exist for this date but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.
1915 Canadian Large Cent Composition & Specifications
The 1915 Large Cent is struck in bronze — an alloy of 95.5% Copper, 3.0% Tin, and 1.5% Zinc — consistent with the British Imperial standard for bronze coinage. Each element serves a precise metallurgical purpose: the dominant copper content delivers the characteristic warm salmon-orange colour; tin adds hardness and corrosion resistance; and zinc acts as a deoxidiser during casting, ensuring the alloy fills the dies cleanly. Specifications data is confirmed by the Royal Canadian Mint's official 1-cent reference and cross-referenced with the Numista catalogue entry for the George V Large Cent (KM 21).
Magnet Test: The 1915 Large Cent contains no iron or steel. A standard magnet will not attract a genuine example. If a coin presented as a 1915 Large Cent is magnetic, this is a significant authentication red flag warranting closer examination — cast counterfeits sometimes use iron-based cores.
Why Colour Preservation Is Rare: The 95.5% copper content makes the coin's surface highly reactive to sulfur compounds, humidity, and atmospheric contaminants. A coin that has retained its original bright orange-red luster for over 110 years has defied atmospheric chemistry — almost always through the exceptional circumstance of near-perfect, sulfur-free storage immediately after minting. This chemical reality is the foundational reason why the Red (RD) colour designation commands a price premium measured in multiples rather than percentages over Brown (BN) examples at the same technical grade.
Weight as an Authentication Diagnostic: At a standard 5.67 grams, the 1915 Large Cent provides a quick screening tool against cast counterfeits. Cast fakes frequently exhibit a "soapy" surface texture and deviate significantly from the correct weight. Any example weighing substantially less than 5.67 g should be treated with heightened suspicion regardless of the apparent sharpness of design detail.
Melt Value: The melt value of this coin is not calculated in this guide. The alloy contains no precious metals; readers requiring current copper commodity valuations should consult live metal spot price services independently.
At 25.4 mm (one full inch) in diameter, the 1915 coin is substantially larger than the small cent introduced in 1920 (19.05 mm). This size difference — easily visible to the naked eye — is what gives all pre-1920 Canadian cents their "Large Cent" designation and makes them instantly distinguishable from the modern-era penny.
1915 Canadian Large Cent Value Chart by Grade, Colour & Finish
The 1915 Large Cent's market is sharply bifurcated: the overwhelming majority of transactions occur under $75 in circulated grades, while serious collector capital concentrates in the Gem Red tier above $400. Values in the table below reflect the standard colour designation for each grade range — that is, the colour in which the market typically finds coins at that grade level. Circulated coins are virtually always Brown; uncirculated examples trend Red-Brown at MS-63 and ideally Red at MS-64 and above.
Grade comparison — left: worn circulated example (approximately G-4 to VG-8, flat portrait silhouette, no crown jewel detail); centre: Extremely Fine (EF-40, traces of luster in protected areas, crown detail visible); right: Gem Mint State (MS-63 or higher, full cartwheel luster unbroken, no wear on high points). (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
1915 Canadian Large Cent — Business Strike (Circulation)
| Grade | Colour Designation | Estimated Value (CAD) | Market Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Brown (BN) | $2.00–$4.00 | Very common; filler grade only |
| VG-8 | Brown (BN) | $4.00–$6.00 | Common; most found specimens |
| F-12 | Brown (BN) | $6.00–$10.00 | Common |
| VF-20 | Brown (BN) | $10.00–$18.00 | Common; collectible entry grade |
| EF-40 | Brown (BN) | $25.00–$45.00 | Readily available; popular collector grade |
| AU-50 | Brown (BN) | $50.00–$75.00 | Scarce; often mistaken for Mint State |
| MS-60 | Brown (BN) | $75.00–$125.00 | Scarce; heavy bag marks acceptable at this grade |
| MS-63 | Red-Brown (RB) | $150.00–$250.00 | Very scarce; scattered contact marks |
| MS-64 | Red (RD) | $400.00–$600.00 | Rare; investment-tier entry |
| MS-65 | Red (RD) | $800.00–$1,200.00 | Very rare; Gem investment class |
| MS-66 | Red (RD) | $5,000.00–$10,000.00 | Extremely rare; 1–2 known at this grade |
Values in CAD represent typical market prices as of 2024–2025. Grades are per ICCS/PCGS/NGC Sheldon standards. See the NGC Canada Cent KM 21 Price Guide and the NGC alternate finish reference for comparative grading service data.
⚠️ Colour Designation Dramatically Affects Value in Uncirculated Grades
Colour designation does not significantly affect values in circulated grades (G through AU), where all examples are essentially Brown. However, in Mint State, the impact is exponential. A Brown MS-65 example trades near $300, while the same technical grade in Red commands $800–$1,200. The Red premium continues widening as the supply of unoxidised examples shrinks with each passing decade. Collectors are advised never to attempt cleaning a coin to restore its colour — cleaning destroys the original luster and results in a permanent "Details" grade with no numismatic premium.
Three-way colour comparison for the 1915 Canadian Large Cent in Mint State: left — Brown (BN, fully oxidised, chocolate-brown surface, lowest value); centre — Red-Brown (RB, partial toning with mixed copper and brown tones); right — Red (RD, full original salmon-orange mint luster, highest premium). All three are technically uncirculated — colour alone drives the value difference. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Cleaning strips original luster and creates hairline scratches visible under magnification. A cleaned 1915 cent receives a "Details — Cleaned" designation from any grading service and loses all numismatic premium regardless of its underlying detail quality. The same rule applies to dipping, polishing, or any chemical treatment.
1915 Canadian Large Cent — Specimen (SP)
The Specimen strike is the finest and rarest intended finish produced for this date. These were struck individually on specially prepared, polished dies using selected planchets, intended for sale to collectors and presentation to dignitaries — not for commerce. Numismatic consensus estimates that fewer than 50 to 100 examples survive. When genuine Specimen examples appear at auction, they are typically pedigreed to major collections.
| Finish | Grade | Estimated Value (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen (SP) | SP-65 | $2,500+ | Extremely rare; pedigreed examples only; squared rim, matte/satin fields, full strike |
The document provides an SP-65 floor value only. SP coins at higher grades (SP-66+) would command substantially greater premiums, but no specific price is available in the source data for those grades. For current context on Specimen availability, see Colonial Acres' ICCS-certified 1915 Large Cent listings.
All values in CAD as of 2024–2025. For the complete denomination price guide, see our Canadian Penny Value Guide.
Most Valuable 1915 Canadian Large Cent Varieties & Rarities
The 1915 Large Cent is characterised by a high degree of die uniformity. The Saskatoon Coin Club's Canadian 1 Cent Coin Major Varieties reference and standard Charlton catalogue list no sub-varieties of the date itself for 1915 — there is no "Large 5 vs. Small 5" or overdate documented for this year, unlike some Victorian and Edwardian Canadian cents. Value is therefore driven primarily by condition and finish rather than variety hunting. However, two distinct categories of premium-commanding examples exist.
Comparison of a 1915 Canadian Large Cent Business Strike (left) versus a Specimen (SP) strike (right). Business strikes show cartwheel luster radiating from the centre; Specimen coins display squared wire-edge rims, flat non-reflective matte or satin fields, and razor-sharp full device relief including fully-defined crown jewels. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
A. Trophy-Level Coins
1. The Landon Collection ICCS MS-66 Red — The Benchmark
The highest-confirmed sale for a 1915 Large Cent in the modern era was realised at the Landon Collection auction, where a coin graded MS-66 Red by the ICCS — described as the "solo finest" ICCS-graded example at the time of sale — achieved $9,750 CAD. This result, reported by Canadian Coin News, establishes the current ceiling for the date and underscores the power of the "Registry Set" phenomenon: collectors competing to own the finest-known example of each date will pay exponential premiums over lower grades. The current market range for MS-66 Red examples is $5,000–$10,000 CAD.
2. Specimen (SP) Strikes — Trophy Rarity
A genuine 1915 Specimen is among the most significant pieces a George V cent collector can acquire. With fewer than 50 to 100 believed to survive, pedigreed examples command a starting floor of $2,500 CAD at SP-65. Higher-grade Specimen coins, particularly those traceable to the Belzberg or Pittman collections, are expected to realise substantially more when they come to market. Authentication is essential: the visual diagnostics (squared rim, full strike, non-cartwheel matte fields) are described in the Identification section below.
B. Findable Varieties
Repunched Date (RPD) — Minor Die Variety
Advanced specialists note the existence of Repunched Date (RPD) variants on some 1915 dies, most commonly observed on the digit '5'. These occur when the digit punch was entered into the working die more than once to correct alignment, leaving a secondary "shadow" outline visible under 10x magnification. These are considered minor die varieties — not assigned a separate line item in general price guides — but are recognised by dedicated variety collectors and command a small premium over standard strikes when the coin is in high grade. No specific numeric premium is established in the source data for this variety.
The standard business strike — the 4.9 million circulation coins — has no documented major die varieties. A 1915 cent's primary value is determined by its grade, colour, and whether it is a business strike or a Specimen. The one critical strike quality premium documented is the "Full Crown Strike": examples where the central jewels of the crown band are fully defined and distinct command a premium over weakly struck examples at the same technical grade.
1915 Canadian Large Cent Identification Guide
Use this 30-second checklist to confirm what you have and assess its market category before spending time on grading.
30-Second Identification Checklist
- Monarch Check: The obverse shows King George V in the Imperial State Crown and Robes of State, with the Collar of the Order of the Garter visible. The portrait was sculpted by Sir Edgar Bertram MacKennal — look for the initials B.M. in relief at the truncation of the King's bust. If the initials are absent or the portrait does not match this description, the coin requires further authentication.
- Legend Check: The obverse legend must read GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: REX ET IND: IMP: — the colons between abbreviated words should be clear and precise. The presence of DEI GRA confirms this is a post-1911 issue (the 1911 "Godless" cents omitted this phrase). Softness or merging of the colons indicates late-stage die wear.
- Reverse Check: The reverse must show a continuous maple vine (16 leaves on a sinusoidal woody stem) encircling a beaded circle. Within the circle: ONE CENT / CANADA / 1915 in three lines. Confirm the beaded circle is complete and centred — merging beads near the rim indicate a late die state.
- Size & Edge Check: The coin must be 25.4 mm (one full inch) in diameter with a plain (smooth) edge. Any reeding (ridged edge) indicates the wrong coin. The Large Cent is noticeably larger than the small cent introduced in 1920.
- Magnet Test (Critical Authentication Step): Hold a magnet near the coin. A genuine 1915 Large Cent is non-magnetic — the bronze alloy (95.5% Cu, 3.0% Sn, 1.5% Zn) contains no iron. If the coin is attracted to the magnet, it is not a genuine 1915 Large Cent and requires further investigation.
Magnet test for the 1915 Canadian Large Cent: a standard magnet produces no attraction to a genuine example (bronze alloy is non-magnetic). Any magnetic attraction is a red flag requiring further authentication. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
- Mint Mark Check: There are no mint marks on any genuine 1915 Large Cent in circulation or collector format. All 4,932,134 pieces were struck at the Ottawa Mint, which did not apply a mint mark to this denomination in this era. Any mark purporting to be a mint mark should be treated as an alteration.
- Finish Identification (The Critical Value Step): Correctly identifying the finish determines which value tier applies:
- Business Strike: Shows "cartwheel" luster — bands of light that rotate around the coin's surface as it is tilted. Contact marks (bag marks) from other coins are expected and acceptable. The fields show flow lines radiating from the centre of the strike.
- Specimen (SP): Shows squared, wire-like rims. The fields have a uniform matte or satin texture — flat and non-reflective without the cartwheel luster of a business strike. The strike is absolute: every pearl in the crown band and every vein in the maple leaves will be fully, sharply defined. No bag marks or handling evidence consistent with mass production.
Close-up of the 1915 Large Cent crown band: LEFT shows a "Full Crown Strike" where the central jewels (pearls and diamond lozenges) are fully rounded and distinct — this commands a premium. RIGHT shows a weaker strike where the jewels merge into the band. Both coins may be technically Mint State, but strike quality is a documented premium factor for this date. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
- Colour Assessment (MS Coins Only): For uncirculated examples, assess colour under natural or neutral LED light — not under warm incandescent bulbs, which artificially orange-ise surfaces. Red (RD) coins show a bright, even salmon-orange across the full surface (95%+ original luster). Red-Brown (RB) coins show mixed orange and brown toning. Brown (BN) coins are fully oxidised, chocolate to olive brown. For any coin in MS-63 or higher where colour might qualify as RD or RB, professional ICCS encapsulation is recommended before sale or purchase.
ℹ️ ICCS vs. PCGS/NGC for 1915 Large Cents
The ICCS (International Coin Certification Service) is Canada's national grading standard and is the primary reference for the Landon record and most Canadian auction results for this date. PCGS and NGC (both U.S.-based) also certify Canadian coins and produce their own price guides. For Registry Set purposes, ICCS holders carry full authority in Canadian auction markets. For cross-border transactions, PCGS or NGC holders may have broader buyer recognition. All three services use the same Sheldon scale and Red/Red-Brown/Brown colour designations.
⚠️ Bronze Disease — Permanent Damage
The 95.5% copper alloy is susceptible to Bronze Disease — an irreversible corrosion caused by chloride ions attacking the copper and forming powdery green cuprite spots. Any 1915 cent showing active powdery green corrosion (distinct from the stable patina of a Brown coin) should be avoided entirely. Bronze Disease cannot be authentically reversed without conservator intervention, and affected coins revert to bullion value only.
1915 Canadian Large Cent Value FAQs
What is a 1915 Canadian Large Cent worth?
In the most common circulated grades (Good to Very Fine, Brown), a 1915 Canadian Large Cent is worth $2–$18 CAD. In Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated condition, values range from $25–$75. For Gem Mint State examples retaining original Red luster, values reach $800–$1,200 at MS-65. The record sale for the date is $9,750 CAD for an ICCS MS-66 Red from the Landon Collection. A rare Specimen (SP-65) commands $2,500+.
Is the 1915 Canadian Large Cent rare?
The 1915 cent is common in circulated grades — with a mintage of 4,932,134 pieces, worn examples are plentiful and affordable. However, the coin functions as a genuine rarity in Gem Mint State, especially with Red luster. The MS-66 Red grade level is believed to have only 1–2 known examples. This bifurcation — common below MS-63, rare above MS-65 — makes it a "semi-key" condition rarity within the George V series despite its relatively large mintage. The Specimen strike, with fewer than 50 to 100 believed to exist, is a significant rarity in any grade.
What makes a 1915 Large Cent most valuable?
Three factors drive value in descending order of impact: (1) Grade — the price jump from AU-50 ($75) to MS-65 Red ($800–$1,200) is exponential; (2) Colour — a Brown MS-65 trades near $300 while a Red MS-65 commands $800–$1,200, making colour preservation as important as technical grade; and (3) Finish — a Specimen strike (SP-65, $2,500+) occupies an entirely different market tier from a business strike. Strike quality (the "Full Crown Strike" premium for sharp crown jewels) is a secondary but documented factor at the Gem level.
Is my 1915 Canadian Large Cent made of silver?
No. The 1915 Large Cent contains no silver. It is bronze: 95.5% Copper, 3.0% Tin, and 1.5% Zinc. It is non-magnetic and has no precious metal content. The bright salmon-orange colour of an original Red example can sometimes be mistaken for a silver sheen under certain lighting, but this is the natural colour of fresh copper — not silver. If you need to confirm composition, apply a magnet: genuine 1915 Large Cents will not be attracted.
Should I get my 1915 Large Cent professionally graded?
Professional encapsulation ("slabbing") by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC is strongly recommended for any 1915 cent grading MS-63 or above — particularly if it retains Red or Red-Brown colour. The cost of grading (typically $30–$60+ CAD per coin depending on service level) is economically justified when the coin's value exceeds $150. For circulated examples worth under $20, grading costs exceed the coin's market value and are not recommended. A slab also provides an inert environment that measurably slows further oxidation of the copper surface — critical for preserving Red luster.
What is the difference between Red, Red-Brown, and Brown designations?
These colour designations — assigned by ICCS, PCGS, and NGC — describe the surface preservation of bronze/copper coins: Red (RD) means the coin retains at least 95% of its original mint luster (bright salmon-orange); Red-Brown (RB) means the coin retains between 5% and 95% original luster, showing a mix of original colour and toning; and Brown (BN) means less than 5% original luster remains — the coin has oxidised fully to chocolate or olive brown. For circulated grades, Brown is essentially universal and the designation has minimal value impact. In Mint State, the difference between Brown and Red at the same technical grade can amount to hundreds of dollars.
What is a Specimen (SP) 1915 cent and how do I recognise one?
Specimen coins were individually struck on specially prepared, polished dies using selected planchets, intended for sale to collectors or presentation to dignitaries. They are visually distinct from business strikes in three ways: (1) Rim: The rim is "squared off" and sharply defined, often with a visible wire edge where the metal was pressed between the collar and die; (2) Fields: The fields show a uniform matte or satin texture without the cartwheel luster of business strikes; (3) Strike: Every design element — each pearl in the crown band, each maple leaf vein — is fully and sharply defined. Fewer than 50 to 100 examples are believed to exist. Any coin represented as a 1915 Specimen should be authenticated by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC before purchase.
How do I authenticate my 1915 cent and avoid altered dates or fakes?
Two main threats exist for the 1915 cent. First, altered dates: unscrupulous sellers may modify the final digit of a common 1916 or 1919 coin. Authenticators examine the precise shape of the '5' — on a genuine 1915, the flag of the '5' and its curve are idiosyncratic to the Ottawa Mint font of that era. Second, cast counterfeits: Chinese-made cast fakes are entering the market and are identified by a "soapy" surface texture, absence of sharp rim denticles, and significantly incorrect weight (often well under the correct 5.67 g). Weigh any suspect coin and compare against the 5.67 g standard. For any coin worth more than $100, professional ICCS or PCGS authentication is the only definitive safeguard.
Methodology & Sources
Values in this guide represent the 2024–2025 Canadian market, synthesised from the following primary sources: the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins (variety classification and baseline pricing); NGC Canada Cent KM 21 Price Guide (certified coin market data); the Canadian Coin News Landon Sale report (auction record); the Saskatoon Coin Club's George V Large Cent Photo Grading Guide and George V Coin Grading Standards (grading diagnostics); the Royal Canadian Mint's official 1-cent reference (specifications and mintage); Canadian Coin & Currency's MS-65 Red listing and Colonial Acres' ICCS-certified example (current retail market context); and the Numista George V Large Cent catalogue entry (cross-reference specifications). All values are in Canadian Dollars (CAD) and represent typical market ranges — individual coins may realise above or below these figures based on eye appeal, provenance, and buyer demand at the time of sale. This guide covers standard business strikes and Specimen coins only; production errors are outside its scope.
A note on images: To help illustrate coin diagnostics and rare varieties — especially complex errors that are difficult to describe in text alone — this guide uses AI-generated images. All written values, diagnostics, and variety attributions have been manually reviewed against the cited sources above. While our editorial team works to ensure every image is accurate and helpful, AI-generated illustrations may occasionally misrepresent fine details. If you spot any discrepancy between an image and its written description, please contact us or leave a comment below — we review all feedback and correct errors promptly. Numismatic knowledge is a community effort, and your input helps us build a more accurate resource for everyone.