1962 Canadian 1-Cent (Penny) Value Guide
Find out what your 1962 Canadian penny is worth. Complete price guide by grade and finish — Business Strike, Proof-Like Cameo — plus values for the Hanging 2, Guitar, Harp, Missing M, and Double Date varieties. All values in CAD, February 2026.
Most 1962 Canadian pennies found in circulation are worth approximately $0.05 CAD — their copper melt value, roughly five times face value. A standard example in Gem Uncirculated Red (MS65 RD) reaches $18.20, while sought-after varieties like the Guitar and Missing M can exceed $100+ at the same grade level.
- Circulated (G4–AU50), Standard:$0.05–$0.10 (copper melt floor)
- Uncirculated (MS63 RD), Standard:$2.00
- Gem Uncirculated (MS65 RD), Standard:$18.20
- Superb Gem (MS66 RD), Standard: ~$227
- Hanging 2 (MS65 RD):$49.10
- Guitar or Harp (MS66 RD): ~$384
- Proof-Like Standard (PL66):$40.00
- Proof-Like Heavy Cameo (PL67):$540+
Found in circulation? The 1962 penny is bronze and non-magnetic — worth its copper melt value (~$0.05 CAD). Coin looks shiny with mirror-like fields? It is almost certainly a Proof-Like (PL) coin from an original mint set — check for cameo contrast to determine its tier. Is it silver? No — the 1962 penny is bronze (98% copper) with no silver content. All values in Canadian dollars (CAD) as of February 2026. See full value chart →
The 1962 Canadian 1-cent coin is a variety collector's standout, struck during the final years of Mary Gillick's Laureated Portrait era (1953–1964). While the circulation mintage of 227,244,069 makes it statistically common in lower grades, the coin is genuinely scarce in Gem Red condition — and an unusually rich set of documented die varieties (the Hanging 2, Guitar, Harp, Missing M, and Double Date) transforms it into a specialist pursuit that rewards careful examination. Produced exclusively at the Ottawa Mint with no mint mark, it is pure bronze and non-magnetic. For a year-by-year breakdown of all Canadian pennies, see our Canadian Penny Value Guide. The Canadian penny ceased general distribution on February 4, 2013 but remains legal tender.
Note: Major mint errors such as off-center strikes, brockages, and clips are known for the 1962 cent but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.
1962 Canadian 1-cent penny: obverse featuring the Laureated Bust of Queen Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick (First Portrait, 1953–1964) and reverse featuring the Maple Twig design by G.E. Kruger-Gray. Plain edge, medal alignment (↑↑), bronze composition.
1962 Canadian Penny Composition & Melt Value
The 1962 Canadian 1-cent piece is composed of a homogeneous bronze alloy: 98% copper, 1.5% zinc, and 0.5% tin. The small tin fraction technically classifies the alloy as bronze rather than brass (a copper-zinc alloy), contributing to both the coin's resistance to corrosion and its capacity to develop a stable, chocolate-brown patina over decades. This alloy formula was employed from 1942 through 1977 before being replaced by cheaper formulations, giving the 1962 cent a distinctive density and acoustic resonance appreciated by modern collectors.
Copper Melt Value
Because the coin is nearly pure copper, it carries an intrinsic metal value well above its 1-cent face value. As of February 2026, the calculated melt value for a single 1962 penny is approximately $0.0517 CAD. This copper floor ensures that even a heavily worn, problem-free example is worth roughly five times its nominal face value in raw metal. A Gresham's Law effect — where coins with higher intrinsic value disappear from circulation — effectively removed these bronze cents from active use long before the official penny withdrawal in 2013. It is currently illegal under Canada's Currency Act to melt legal tender coins for their metal content, so the melt value serves as a market benchmark rather than a practical melting guide.
Weight as a Diagnostic Tool
The precise specification of 3.24 grams is a critical authentication benchmark. Genuine 1962 cents will fall within a close tolerance of this figure. A coin deviating significantly may be a counterfeit or — extremely rarely — a wrong-planchet error (out of scope for this guide). When combined with the magnet test, weight verification provides fast, reliable authentication in the field.
Magnet Test
The 98% copper bronze alloy is diamagnetic (non-magnetic). A genuine 1962 Canadian cent will not be attracted to a magnet. If a 1962-dated coin does respond to a magnet, it is either a counterfeit or an extremely rare wrong-planchet anomaly. Always confirm with weight (3.24 g) if any ambiguity exists. The magnet test is especially useful for distinguishing genuine 1962 bronze cents from post-1997 steel-core plated cents that share the same penny denomination.
1962 Canadian Penny Value Chart by Grade & Finish
1962 Canadian Penny — Business Strike (Circulation)
All prices in CAD; data reflects the February 2026 market. MS63 and higher prices assume Full Red (RD) — coins retaining 95–100% original copper bloom. Red-Brown (RB) examples typically trade at 40–60% of the Red price; Brown (BN) examples trade near circulated values. Circulation mintage: 227,244,069. MS66 values marked with ~ are drawn from the document's verified trophy-level realized price data.
| Type / Variety | G4 | VG8 | F12 | VF20 | EF40 | AU50 | MS60 | MS63 RD | MS64 RD | MS65 RD | MS66 RD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 Standard | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.10 | $0.15 | $2.00 | $10.00 | $18.20 | ~$227 | Common in rolls; Gem Red is the target grade. MS66 represents a severe condition rarity for 60-year-old copper. |
| 1962 Hanging 2 | $0.05 | $0.10 | $0.25 | $0.50 | $1.00 | $3.00 | $5.00 | $38.60 | $40.00 | $49.10 | ~$296 | Die clash marker must be visible; identifiable in circulated grades with magnification. Most iconic 1962 variety. |
| 1962 Harp | — | — | — | $1.00 | $2.00 | $5.00 | $15.00 | $30.00 | $51.50 | $80.90 | ~$384 | Vertical lines between the '1' denomination and leaf notch. MS66 figure is a combined Harp/Guitar trophy estimate. |
| 1962 Guitar | — | — | — | $1.50 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $25.00 | $50.00 | $101.00 | — | ~$384 | Stronger, more defined lines than Harp; scarcer. MS65 value not documented. MS66 figure is a combined Harp/Guitar trophy estimate. |
| 1962 Missing M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $17.00 | $32.60 | $79.70 | ~$377 | Designer's 'M.G.' initials partially or fully absent from bust truncation. Only MS63+ values documented. |
| 1962 Double 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $15.30 | $44.10 | — | Doubling visible on the final digit only. Only MS64+ values documented. |
| 1962 Double 962 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $40.40 | $104.00 | — | Doubling on the last three digits ('9', '6', '2'). Requires magnification. Only MS64+ values documented. |
Sources: Coins and Canada 1962 1-Cent price guide (primary pricing matrix, February 2026); Colonial Acres — 1962 Hanging 2 ICCS MS64 Red (retail verification).
ℹ️ The Value Cliff: Why Grade Matters So Much for Bronze Cents
For the standard 1962 penny, the price curve is not linear. MS60 through MS63 are commodities — millions survive in these grades. The jump at MS64 is modest (~$10.00). At MS65, the price more than doubles again (~$18.20). At MS66, it leaps to ~$227. This exponential curve reflects the extreme difficulty of copper surviving six decades without a single carbon spot, contact mark, or oxidation patch while retaining 95%+ original red luster. An MS65 Brown (BN) coin is worth a fraction of an MS65 Red (RD) coin. The market severely discounts oxidized copper at any grade.
Grade comparison for the 1962 Canadian penny: circulated (Good-4, worn details) versus Gem Uncirculated Red (MS65, full mint bloom). The dramatic difference in copper color and surface quality drives the coin's value cliff between circulated and Gem grades. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
1962 Canadian Penny — Proof-Like (PL) Finishes
Proof-Like coins were struck with polished dies on specially prepared planchets and distributed in sealed pliofilm (cellophane) packaging, often alongside a cardboard medallion. Collector set mintage: 200,950 sets. The primary value driver for PL coins is cameo contrast — the degree of frosting on the Queen's portrait and the maple leaf devices relative to the mirror-like background fields. Prices in CAD, February 2026.
| Finish | PL63 | PL64 | PL65 | PL66 | PL67 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PL — Standard | $2.00 | $8.00 | $15.00 | $40.00 | — | Mirror fields; minimal frost on portrait and devices. Common at PL63–PL65. |
| PL — Cameo (CAM) | $10.00 | $20.00 | $35.00 | $75.00 | — | Light frost on Queen's portrait and leaf devices; mirror background fields visible. Moderate premium over Standard. |
| PL — Heavy Cameo (HC / UHC / DCAM) | $25.00 | $45.00 | $90.00 | $200.00 | $540+ | Deep black-and-white contrast; first strikes from fresh polished dies only. Registry-class at PL67. Extremely scarce. |
Sources: Canadian Coin News — PL Heavy Cameo market analysis; Colonial Acres — 1962 ICCS PL65 Red Ultra Heavy Cameo.
⚠️ PVC Damage Risk on Pliofilm Sets
Proof-Like coins stored in their original pliofilm (cellophane) packaging for decades may develop green PVC residue — a waxy or slimy green film that actively corrodes copper surfaces. If you observe any green residue on a PL coin, professional conservation with pure acetone (not nail polish remover, which contains additives) is required immediately. PVC-damaged coins revert to face or melt value regardless of their underlying quality.
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Cleaning a 1962 penny — whether by rubbing, dipping, polishing, or whizzing — strips the original luster and leaves hairlines or an unnatural color visible under magnification. A cleaned coin is graded "Details" (damaged) by all major grading services and loses its entire numismatic premium, regardless of how sharp the underlying detail is. Salmon-pink, neon-orange, or uniformly bright copper is a red flag for artificial color treatment.
Side-by-side finish comparison for the 1962 Canadian penny: Business Strike (left, cartwheel luster with natural bag marks), Proof-Like Standard (centre, mirror fields with minimal device frost), and Proof-Like Heavy Cameo (right, dramatic black-and-white contrast with deeply frosted Queen's portrait against mirror fields). (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
All 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 1962 Canadian Penny Varieties
The 1962 Canadian cent is exceptional in the number of catalogued, liquid die varieties it hosts. These are not random errors — they are repeating characteristics tied to specific die events (clashes, polishing episodes, and deterioration) that occurred at the Ottawa facility and are catalogued in reference works including Zoell's attribution system. They create a genuine two-tier market: the common-date base coin, and a constellation of varieties that can multiply value by 10× to 100× in the same grade.
A. Trophy-Level: Highest Documented Values
| Coin / Variety | Why It Commands a Premium | Benchmark Grade | Verified Price (CAD) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 Guitar or Harp (Gem Red) | Die-polishing varieties are scarce at all grades; finding one with full original Red luster and pristine surfaces is exceptionally difficult. | MS66 RD | ~$384 | Coins and Canada (2026) |
| 1962 Missing M (Gem Red) | A dramatic variety where the designer's initials are obliterated by over-polishing. High-grade examples are fiercely contested by variety specialists. | MS66 RD | ~$377 | Coins and Canada (2026) |
| 1962 Hanging 2 (Gem Red) | The most iconic variety of the year. Gem-grade examples are rare because the die clash often occurred on already-deteriorating dies, producing surfaces prone to marks. | MS66 RD | ~$296 | Coins and Canada (2026) |
| 1962 PL Heavy Cameo (UHC) | Deep black-and-white cameo contrast occurs only on the first few dozen strikes from fresh polished dies — perhaps 50–100 coins per die run. A PL67 UHC is a registry-class piece. | PL66–PL67 | ~$200–$540+ | Canadian Coin News (2024) |
| 1962 Standard (Superb Gem) | Even the common variety becomes a rarity at MS66. Plain copper surfaces are unforgiving of carbon spots, contact marks, and oxidation over 60+ years. | MS66 RD | ~$227 | Coins and Canada (2026) |
B. Findable Varieties: What to Look for in Your Collection
These varieties are identifiable with a 5×–10× loupe and are liquid in the market because they appear in catalogued references. Each results from a specific, repeatable die event — not a random accident.
| Variety | Zoell Ref. | How to Identify (Reverse) | Mechanism | Typical Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanging 2 | C81n | A curved teardrop line connects the bottom of the maple leaf stem downward to the top of the digit '2'. | Die Clash: The press cycled without a planchet, driving the obverse and reverse dies together. The Queen's chin transferred as a ghost image to the reverse die, aligning perfectly with the date area. | $5–$38.60 (MS60–MS63 RD); up to ~$296 at MS66 |
| Guitar | K86c | Strong, clearly defined vertical lines appear in the left field beside the maple twig, resembling guitar strings. | Die Polishing: Aggressive polishing to remove die-clash remnants left deep parallel scratches in the die steel, which transferred to struck coins. | $25–$101 (MS60–MS64 RD); up to ~$384 at MS66 |
| Harp | K86c | Similar vertical lines to Guitar, but positioned between the '1' denomination numeral and the leaf notch. | Die Polishing: A sub-variation of the same polishing episode as the Guitar, with lines in a slightly different field position. | $15–$80.90 (MS60–MS65 RD); up to ~$384 at MS66 |
| Double Date (962) | R86a | A shadow or doubling is visible on the digits '9', '6', and '2', as though the numerals were struck twice with a slight offset. | Die Deterioration: As the die aged and fatigued, the metal spread, causing the design to ghost. Distinct from machine doubling — true doubling shows rounded, fully formed secondary digits. | $40.40–$104.00 (MS64–MS65 RD) |
| Double 2 | — | Doubling visible only on the final digit '2'; the '9' and '6' appear sharp and single. | Die Deterioration: Localized fatigue on the terminal digit of the date. | $15.30–$44.10 (MS64–MS65 RD) |
| Missing M | S86g | On the obverse, the small 'M.G.' initials on the Queen's shoulder truncation are partially or completely absent. | Over-Polishing (Obverse Die): The mint worker polished the die excessively, erasing the shallow designer's initials. Sometimes called a 'naked die' variety. | $17–$79.70 (MS63–MS65 RD); up to ~$377 at MS66 |
Variety references: Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian 1-Cent Major Varieties; Calgary Coin — Canadian Cent Varieties.
The Hanging 2 diagnostic: on the reverse of the 1962 penny, look for a curved teardrop or arc line descending from the base of the maple leaf stem toward the top of the digit '2'. This line is the transferred ghost image of Queen Elizabeth II's chin from a die-clash event, and is the definitive pickup point for this variety. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Guitar vs. Harp diagnostic: both varieties display vertical lines in the left field of the 1962 penny reverse. Guitar lines (left) are stronger and located beside the maple twig stem; Harp lines (right) appear between the denomination numeral '1' and the leaf notch. Both result from aggressive die polishing after a die-clash event. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
1962 Canadian Penny Identification Guide
Use this 30-second checklist with a 5×–10× loupe and a magnet to determine exactly what you have before researching value.
30-Second Identification Checklist
- Monarch Check (Obverse): Confirm the portrait shows Queen Elizabeth II with the Laureated Bust — a youthful profile with a simple laurel wreath in her hair tied with a ribbon. This is the First Portrait by Mary Gillick, used 1953–1964. If the portrait shows a tiara instead of a wreath, the coin is from a different era (1965–1989).
- Date Verification: Confirm the date reads 1962. If it does, you are on the right coin.
- Reverse Check: Confirm the reverse shows the Maple Twig design — two maple leaves on a single stem by G.E. Kruger-Gray, flanked by the denomination '1 CENT' and the date.
- Magnet Test (Composition Verification): Place a magnet firmly against the coin.
- Does NOT stick → genuine bronze: The 98% copper alloy is non-magnetic. This is the expected result for an authentic 1962 cent.
- Sticks to magnet → investigate immediately: A magnetic 1962-dated cent is not genuine bronze and is either a counterfeit or an extremely rare wrong-planchet anomaly. Verify weight (should be 3.24 g) and consult a specialist.
- Mint Mark Check: No documented mint marks exist for 1962 Canadian circulation cents. The coin was struck exclusively at the Ottawa facility, which did not apply mint marks to domestic coinage during this era. If you see any letter mark, consult a specialist — it is not standard for this issue.
- Finish Identification (Critical for Value):
- Business Strike: Exhibits a 'cartwheel' lustre — a spinning spoke of reflected light when tilted under a single point of illumination. Worn examples are dull brown or red-brown with visible surface flow lines.
- Proof-Like (PL): The field (background) appears as a mirror — you can see your own eye reflected. The Queen's portrait and the maple leaf devices may appear frosted white against that mirror. A PL coin found loose in a collection was almost certainly broken from an original pliofilm mint set.
- Variety Scan (The Cherry-Pick — Reverse First):
- Look at the '2' in the date: Is there a curved line hanging from the base of the maple leaf stem toward the top of the '2'? → Hanging 2
- Look at the left field beside the maple twig: Are there vertical lines resembling strings? → Guitar (strong lines near stem) or Harp (lines between denomination '1' and leaf notch)
- Look at the full date: Do all three digits '9', '6', '2' appear doubled or shadowed? → Double 962. Is only the '2' doubled? → Double 2
- Obverse Variety Scan:
- Look at the Queen's shoulder truncation: Can you see two tiny initials 'M.G.'? If absent entirely → Missing M variety
ℹ️ PL Set Contamination
With 200,950 Proof-Like sets produced in 1962, many have been broken open over the decades. A 'shiny' 1962 penny found loose in a collection is very likely a PL coin rather than a rare high-grade Business Strike. Dealers routinely discount raw 'Uncirculated' bronze cents of this era because they assume PL origin. Submitting a PL coin to a grading service as a Business Strike can result in a PL designation instead, which carries a different — often higher — market value.
The Missing M diagnostic: on the obverse of the 1962 penny, examine the cut-off of the Queen's shoulder truncation at approximately the 4 o'clock position. A normal coin shows small 'M.G.' designer's initials (Mary Gillick). On the Missing M variety (Zoell S86g), those initials are partially or completely absent due to excessive die polishing. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Magnet test for the 1962 Canadian penny: a genuine bronze cent (98% copper) is non-magnetic and will not adhere to a magnet (left). A coin that sticks to a magnet (right) is not genuine 1962 bronze — verify weight and consult a specialist immediately. This test distinguishes bronze cents from later plated-steel compositions and potential counterfeits.
1962 Canadian Penny Value FAQs
What is a 1962 Canadian penny worth?
A standard 1962 Canadian penny in circulated condition (G4–AU50) is worth approximately $0.05 CAD — its copper melt value. In Gem Uncirculated Red (MS65 RD), the standard coin is worth $18.20 CAD. Varieties significantly multiply this: the Hanging 2 reaches $38.60 at MS63 RD, and the Guitar or Harp reaches ~$384 at MS66 RD. Proof-Like Heavy Cameo examples are the most valuable, reaching $540+ at PL67.
Is a 1962 Canadian penny rare?
In lower circulated grades, it is extremely common — over 227 million were struck. However, in Gem Red (MS65+) condition, it is genuinely scarce, because copper is chemically reactive and the vast majority of examples have oxidized to brown over six decades. Documented die varieties (Hanging 2, Guitar, Harp, Missing M) are legitimately rare in any grade and exceptionally rare in Gem Red. The Proof-Like Heavy Cameo finish is rare at any PL grade level above PL65.
What makes a 1962 Canadian penny valuable?
Three factors drive value above the copper-melt floor: (1) Color preservation — Full Red (RD) designation requires 95–100% original mint bloom; RD coins command dramatically higher prices than Red-Brown (RB) or Brown (BN) at the same numeric grade; (2) Grade — the value curve accelerates sharply at MS65 and MS66 due to the difficulty of copper surviving without marks or spots; (3) Variety — the Hanging 2, Guitar, Harp, Missing M, and Double Date varieties add significant premiums starting even in VF and EF grades. Proof-Like coins add a fourth factor: cameo contrast, where Heavy Cameo examples trade at multiples of standard PL coins.
Is my 1962 Canadian penny silver?
No. The 1962 penny is composed entirely of bronze — 98% copper, 1.5% zinc, and 0.5% tin. It contains no silver whatsoever. A quick magnet test confirms this: the coin will not be attracted to a magnet (copper is non-magnetic). Canadian silver cents were never issued; silver was used in higher denominations (10¢, 25¢, 50¢, and $1). If you have a 1962 cent that appears silver-coloured, it has either been plated (a problem coin, significantly devalued) or cleaned.
What is the Hanging 2 variety and how do I find it?
The Hanging 2 (Zoell C81n) is a die-clash variety produced when the press cycled without a planchet, driving the obverse and reverse dies together. The outline of Queen Elizabeth II's chin transferred as a ghost image onto the reverse die. On subsequently struck coins, this ghost line appears as a curved arc or teardrop descending from the bottom of the maple leaf stem toward the top of the digit '2'. Examine the reverse with a 5× loupe, focusing on the space between the leaf stem and the '2'. Variant intensities exist — 'Double Hanging 2' implies repeated clashes. The variety commands a premium even in circulated grades (VF20: $0.50; EF40: $1.00).
What is the difference between the Guitar and Harp varieties?
Both are die-polishing varieties (Zoell K86c) caused by the Ottawa Mint polishing dies aggressively to remove clash remnants, leaving parallel scratches in the die steel that transferred to struck coins as vertical lines in the reverse field. The Guitar shows stronger, more defined lines positioned beside the maple twig stem in the left field, while the Harp shows similar but typically finer lines positioned between the denomination '1' and the leaf notch. Guitar is considered scarcer and commands a slightly higher premium. Both are most valuable in MS63+ Red, where the polishing lines appear against pristine luster.
What is a Proof-Like (PL) coin, and how do I identify one?
A Proof-Like coin is struck with polished dies on a carefully selected planchet, producing mirror-like background fields and a degree of frosting on the raised design devices. The 1962 RCM distributed these in sealed pliofilm sets at a premium over face value. To identify a PL coin, tilt it under a single light source: the fields will reflect like a mirror, clearly distinct from the 'cartwheel' luster of a business strike. PL coins are graded on a separate scale (PL63–PL67) and valued independently of business strikes. The key sub-category to check for is Heavy Cameo (HC/UHC) — dramatic white-frosted devices against black-mirror fields — which commands the highest premiums.
Should I have my 1962 Canadian penny graded by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC?
Grading is economically justified only when the coin's potential certified value clearly exceeds grading fees. For a standard 1962 penny, grading makes sense at MS65 Red or higher (where certified value is $18.20+ and escalates sharply) or for any confirmed variety specimen. ICCS (International Coin Certification Service) is the gold standard for Canadian variety attribution — it is conservative in grading and widely trusted by domestic specialists, particularly for CCCS-attributed varieties like the Hanging 2 and Guitar. PCGS and NGC are the dominant US-based services; they offer high global liquidity and a 'Deep Cameo' designation for PL coins. A 'Hanging 2' in a PCGS holder is highly liquid globally, while an ICCS holder may be preferred by Canadian variety specialists for its specific attribution standards.
What should I watch for when buying a 1962 Canadian penny?
First, check color: genuine original Red has a subdued, lustrous red-gold hue. Coins that appear salmon-pink, neon-orange, or uniformly bright have almost certainly been chemically dipped or cleaned — this destroys numismatic value. Second, look for verdigris (green spots), which is active copper corrosion ('copper cancer') that severely discounts a coin. Third, check for whizzing — simulated luster created by wire brushing, which leaves directional lines under magnification. Fourth, for variety coins, confirm the diagnostic pickup point is genuinely present; die markers should be consistent with the described variety and not simply scratches or post-mint damage.
Methodology & Sources
Values in this guide reflect the Canadian retail market as of February 2026 and are expressed in Canadian dollars (CAD). Pricing data was synthesized from the following primary references:
- Coins and Canada — 1962 1-Cent Price Guide (primary pricing matrix and variety definitions)
- Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian 1-Cent Major Varieties (variety identification, Zoell references, diagnostic descriptions)
- Calgary Coin — Canadian Cent Varieties (retail pricing verification and historical variety context)
- Canadian Coin News — PL Cameo market analysis (Proof-Like Heavy Cameo realized prices and market trends)
- Canadian Coin News (March 2024) (auction comparables and collector market context)
- Colonial Acres — 1962 Hanging 2 ICCS MS64 Red (retail verification for certified variety pricing)
- Colonial Acres — 1962 ICCS PL65 Red Ultra Heavy Cameo (retail verification for PL UHC pricing)
- Numista — 1-Cent Elizabeth II First Portrait (technical specifications and mintage data)
- Royal Canadian Mint — 1-Cent denomination history (official composition and production records)
Additional context from the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins and ICCS/CCCS population data. Values represent typical market prices for problem-free examples and may vary based on individual coin eye appeal, holder brand, and current market conditions. This guide covers standard and variety coins only; mint 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.