1917 Canadian Large Cent (1¢) Value Guide

The 1917 Canadian Large Cent belongs to the George V series (1911–1920) — the final chapter of Canada's large-format bronze cent before the country transitioned to the modern small cent in 1920. Struck at the Royal Mint Ottawa with a mintage of 11,899,254 pieces, worn examples remain plentiful and affordable, while Gem Red survivors have become genuine rarities after more than a century of copper chemistry. The Canadian penny program was officially discontinued on February 4, 2013, but 1917 large cents have been prized by collectors for decades. For values across all Canadian cent issues, see our Canadian Penny Value Guide.

Note: Errors such as off-center strikes and brockages exist for the 1917 Large Cent but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.

1917 Canadian Large Cent Composition & Melt Value

Color comparison for the 1917 Canadian Large Cent: Full Red (RD, left), Red-Brown (RB, center), and Brown (BN, right). After more than a century of copper chemistry, most surviving uncirculated examples are Brown. A fully Red coin is a statistical survivor — and the most valuable designation. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

Alloy Breakdown

The 1917 Large Cent is struck from a ternary bronze alloy: 95.5% copper, 3.0% tin, and 1.5% zinc. This is not a simple copper coin — the tin acts as a hardening agent, improving strike sharpness and resistance to wear from daily commerce. Zinc serves as a deoxidizer during casting and contributes to the warm golden-orange color of a freshly struck coin. At 5.67 grams and 25.4 mm (one inch) in diameter, the coin is noticeably heavier and larger than a modern Canadian quarter (23.88 mm), giving it the tactile density collectors associate with the large-cent era.

Melt Value

The raw scrap value of the copper content in a single 1917 cent is less than $0.05 CAD at current commodity prices — far below even the numismatic floor of approximately $0.75–$1.00 for a heavily worn example. The coin's value is entirely collector-driven, not bullion-driven. Note: Canadian law prohibits the melting of current legal-tender coinage for metal recovery.

Magnetic Properties

A genuine 1917 Large Cent is completely non-magnetic. The bronze alloy contains no iron or steel. Applying a strong magnet is a critical authentication step: if a coin attracts the magnet, it is not a genuine 1917 bronze cent — it is likely a modern steel replica or a plated novelty item.

Color Designations: Red, Red-Brown, and Brown

For uncirculated (Mint State) examples, copper's chemical reactivity makes color the single most important value driver. Certification services assign one of three designations:

• Red (RD): At least 95% of the original salmon-pink to golden-orange mint surface survives. This is the rarest and most valuable designation. A 1917 cent retaining full Red after more than a century represents a genuine victory over entropy — likely stored in a chemically inert environment immediately after minting.
• Red-Brown (RB): Mixed toning — zones of original color alongside developing brown patina. A meaningful discount from Red, but retains collector appeal for well-struck examples.
• Brown (BN): The stable end-state of copper oxidation — uniform chocolate or dark brown patina. The most common uncirculated state and the lowest-value designation for Mint State coins. A natural brown patina developed over 100+ years is authentic and should never be chemically removed.

Color designations are not assigned to circulated (G4–AU50) coins — those are graded solely on detail and wear.

1917 Canadian Large Cent Value Chart by Grade & Finish

The 1917 Large Cent follows a classic "condition cliff" valuation pattern: modest values in circulated grades, then exponential jumps at the Mint State boundary and again whenever a certified Red designation is confirmed. Two distinct finishes exist — the common Business Strike (circulation) and the exceedingly rare Specimen Strike. All values in CAD as of February 2026.

Grade comparison for the 1917 Canadian Large Cent business strike: heavily worn G4 (left), About Uncirculated AU50 (center), and Gem Red MS65 (right). The value difference between these three states is hundreds of dollars — driven entirely by condition and color preservation. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1917 Canadian Large Cent — Business Strike (Circulation)

Color note: MS60–MS63 values above reflect typical Brown (BN) or Red-Brown (RB) examples. An MS63 Brown may trade closer to $100, while an MS63 Red can command approximately $250+. The $170 benchmark represents a typical Red-Brown or attractive Brown specimen. For MS65 Red, typical certified examples trade between $600–$1,000 CAD; the $550+ floor reflects the minimum for a certified gem example. See the PCGS Large Cent 1911–1920 Population Report and the NGC Canada Cent KM-21 Price Guide for current census and pricing data.

Finish comparison: Business Strike (left) showing radiating cartwheel luster and rounded rim, versus Specimen Strike (right) showing uniform satin/matte fields, no flow lines, and a distinctively squared rim-to-field junction. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1917 Canadian Large Cent — Specimen Strike (SP)

Specimen strikes were not mass-produced for public sale as modern collector sets are — they were individual special strikings reserved for presentations, museum archives, or internal quality-control purposes. Confirmed auction data for 1917 SP coins is sparse; SP67 estimates are extrapolated from adjacent years and are not based on a confirmed 1917 SP67 sale. A confirmed SP67 example could exceed $5,000 CAD in a specialized auction. See the NGC Canada Cent KM-21 Price Guide for current Specimen pricing context.

Values in CAD represent typical market prices as of February 2026. For the complete denomination price guide, see our Canadian Penny Value Guide.

Most Valuable 1917 Canadian Large Cent Varieties

The 1917 Large Cent has several documented varieties ranging from the exceedingly rare Specimen strike to a catalogued Doubled Die Obverse and a minor Re-Punched Date. A commonly misidentified sister coinage — the Newfoundland 1917-C — is the most frequent source of confusion in the market and is covered separately below.

A) Trophy-Level: The Specimen Strike (SP)

The rarest and most valuable 1917 large cent is the Specimen Strike (Charlton SP). These were not sold to the public — they were individually produced special strikings for presentations, archives, or quality control. The surfaces differ fundamentally from the business strike: squared rims, matte or satin fields without flow lines, and razor-sharp design detail technically impossible on a high-speed production press. An SP63 commands approximately $850+ CAD; an SP65 approximately $1,800+ CAD. A confirmed SP67 is estimated at $3,000–$5,000+ CAD based on comparable years, representing a museum-grade rarity. Population counts for 1917 SP coins are extremely low. If a coin displays all Specimen characteristics, have it assessed by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC before selling.

B) Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) — FS-013 / Zoell

A documented Doubled Die Obverse exists for the 1917 Large Cent, catalogued as FS-013 and referenced in Zoell variety listings. This variety is the result of a misaligned hubbing during die preparation — a rare die state.

• Diagnostic: Examine the obverse under magnification for distinct doubling on the profile of King George V or on the legend lettering GEORGIVS.
• Premium impact: Approximately 3× to 5× the base grade value for a certified, attributed example.
• Cherry-picking potential: These can sometimes be found mislabeled as normal coins in dealer stocks and at coin shows.

DDO diagnostic (FS-013): under magnification, look for a distinct doubling or shadow impression on the letters of GEORGIVS or on the King's portrait. A certified DDO commands 3× to 5× the standard grade value. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

C) Re-Punched Date (RPD)

An unlisted major Re-Punched Date variety exists, showing traces of a second "1" or "7" visible beneath the primary date digits — the result of hand-punching during die preparation. This variety carries a modest premium of approximately 20%–50% over the standard base grade value for an attributed example. Examine the "1917" date digits under magnification for ghost impressions or displaced serifs. See the Saskatoon Coin Club Canadian 1-Cent Coin Major Varieties guide for additional reference on Canadian large-cent varieties.

D) The Newfoundland 1917-C — A Critical Identification Issue

The definitive sorting test: look directly below the '1917' date on the reverse. No mark (left) = standard Canadian cent — use this guide's values. A small 'C' below the date (right) = Newfoundland 1917-C, a separate Dominion's coinage priced independently and significantly higher in Gem grades.

The most common "variety question" about the 1917 penny is actually a case of mistaken identity. Newfoundland was a separate Dominion until 1949 and issued its own coinage, also struck at the Ottawa Mint (hence the "C" mint mark).

• Charlton reference: NF-12.
• Identification: Look directly below the "1917" date on the reverse. A small C = Newfoundland coin. No mark = Canadian coin.
• Value implication: In high grade (MS65), the 1917-C Newfoundland cent is significantly rarer than the Canadian counterpart and commands a higher price, often exceeding $1,000 CAD in Gem condition. For a Heritage Auctions result on the Newfoundland 1917-C, see the Heritage Auctions 1917-C Newfoundland MS65 Red and Brown PCGS result. In low grades (G4–VF20), pricing is comparable to the Canadian cent.

Major mint errors (off-center strikes, brockages, wrong planchets) exist for this date but are outside the scope of this guide.

1917 Canadian Large Cent Identification Guide

Use this 30-second checklist to confirm the identity, authenticity, and finish type of your 1917 Canadian Large Cent. Work through the steps in order — the mint mark check and magnet test alone will resolve the most common questions.

Step 1 — Monarch Check (Obverse)

Obverse of the 1917 Canadian Large Cent — King George V, designed by Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal. Red circles mark the three primary wear points: eyebrow arch, crown band, and cheekbone. Sharp, rounded relief at these points indicates EF40 or better; flatness indicates VF or lower. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

• Portrait: King George V in left-facing profile, wearing the Imperial State Crown and parliamentary robe with a brooch at the shoulder.
• Legend: The surrounding text must read GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: REX ET IND: IMP:
• Designer: Sir Edgar Bertram Mackennal (Australian sculptor), whose portrait was used across the British Empire.
• Grade diagnostic: The eyebrow arch, the front band of the crown, and the cheekbone are the first surfaces to show wear. Sharp and fully rounded = EF40 or better. Flattened = VF or lower. Beard strands and crown jewels visible at high detail = Gem territory.

Step 2 — Reverse Check

• Design: A continuous wreath of 16 maple leaves, with ONE CENT and CANADA in the center and the date 1917 at the bottom.
• Border: A beaded border (denticles) must encircle the entire design.
• No reverse variety exists for the standard Canadian issue — the design is consistent across all Ottawa-struck examples.

Step 3 — Mint Mark Check (Critical Sorting Step)

Examine the area directly below the date "1917" on the reverse under magnification:

• No mark: Correct for the Canadian 1917 Large Cent. All values in this guide apply.
• C present: This is a Newfoundland 1917-C Large Cent — a distinct Dominion's coinage with its own separate pricing (see Variants section). Do not use this guide's values for a 1917-C coin.

Step 4 — Edge and Dimensions

• Edge: Must be plain (completely smooth). Any reeding (grooves) indicates a different denomination or a counterfeit.
• Diameter: Approximately 25.4 mm (one inch) — noticeably larger than a modern Canadian quarter (23.88 mm).
• Weight: Standard is 5.67 grams. An acceptable tolerance of ±0.1 g covers normal wear and manufacturing variance. A coin weighing below 5.4 g or above 6.0 g should be treated as suspicious.

Step 5 — Magnet Test (Composition Verification)

Magnet test for the 1917 Canadian Large Cent: a genuine bronze coin shows NO attraction. Any magnetic response is a definitive red flag for a counterfeit or novelty item.

• Action: Hold a strong magnet near the coin.
• Genuine result:No attraction whatsoever. The bronze alloy (95.5% copper, 3% tin, 1.5% zinc) contains no iron or steel and is completely non-magnetic.
• Red flag: A magnetic coin is not a genuine 1917 bronze cent. It is likely a modern steel replica or a novelty item.
• Color check: A genuine coin will be chocolate brown, red-brown, or orange-red. A grey, silvery, or unnaturally bright surface indicates plating or chemical cleaning — both of which permanently destroy numismatic value.

Step 6 — Finish Identification

• Business Strike (common — 99.99% of surviving coins): Cartwheel luster in high-grade examples (spinning-spoke effect of light when the coin is tilted under a lamp). Microscopic flow lines radiate from the center. Bag marks (small nicks and contact marks) are normal and expected. Color ranges from chocolate brown to orange-red depending on toning level.
• Specimen Strike (rare): Soft, satin or matte sheen — not a hard metallic shine. Razor-sharp lettering edges with squared-off corners. The junction of the rim and field is distinctively squared and crisp, not rounded as on business strikes. Fields are smooth and uniform, lacking flow lines entirely. If a coin shows all of these characteristics simultaneously, do not sell it without having it assessed by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC.

For help applying Canadian grading terminology to your coin, consult the Saskatoon Coin Club Canadian Coin Photo Grading Guide.

1917 Canadian Large Cent Value FAQs

Methodology & Sources

Values in this guide reflect typical market prices as of February 2026, synthesized from the following primary sources:

• Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins (multiple editions) — baseline pricing and variety attributions
• Numista — 1 Cent George V (with "DEI GRA") — technical specifications and cross-reference
• NGC Canada Cent KM-21 Price Guide (1912–1920) — population and pricing reference
• PCGS Large Cent Population Report (1911–1920) — census data for graded examples
• PCGS Canadian Coins Population Report — broader census context
• Heritage Auctions and Stack's Bowers — realized prices for trophy assets; see NumisBids — Heritage World Coin Auctions Monthly Auction, August 2019
• Heritage Auctions — Newfoundland 1917-C MS65 Red and Brown PCGS result
• Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian Circulation Coin Mintage Quantities
• Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian 1-Cent Coin Major Varieties
• Royal Canadian Mint — 1-Cent History

Prices represent typical market values for non-error, non-attributed examples (Business Strikes) and Specimen strikes where documented. Individual coin prices may vary based on eye appeal, certification service, color intensity, and market conditions at the time of sale. Auction records cited reflect verified realized prices unless explicitly noted as estimates extrapolated from comparable years. This guide does not constitute investment advice.