As you sort through your loose change, a shiny copper coin catches your eye. The date reads "1867 1967" – this is no ordinary penny, but a Canadian Centennial cent minted in 1967 to commemorate Canada‘s 100th anniversary. An attractive coin with a unique history, the 1867-1967 penny is a favorite of collectors. But what is the 1867 to 1967 Canadian penny value today?
While most circulated examples are only worth their face value of 1 cent, some rare varieties and high grade specimens are surprisingly valuable. Let‘s take an in-depth look at these commemorative pennies and find out how much your "century-old" cents could be worth.
History of the 1867 to 1967 Canadian Penny
To mark 100 years since Canadian Confederation in 1867, the Royal Canadian Mint released a series of circulating commemorative coins in 1967, including a special one-year type penny. Designed by artist Alex Colville, the obverse features a striking image of a rock dove in flight. The double date "1867 1967" appears below the bird.
The reverse depicts Arnold Machin‘s portrait of a 39-year old Queen Elizabeth II, who remains Canada‘s head of state as a constitutional monarchy. As Elizabeth passed away in 2022, any new Canadian coins going forward will feature the effigy of King Charles III instead.
During the single year of issue, the RCM struck a massive number of 1867-1967 pennies – 345,140,645 in total across two varieties. With such a high mintage, the Centennial penny is quite common today in circulated condition. However, some rare error varieties and pristine examples in top grades are highly coveted by collectors.
Identifying the 1867 to 1967 Penny
Here are the key characteristics of a genuine Centennial penny:
- Dual dates "1867 1967" on obverse
- Flying rock dove design by Alex Colville on obverse
- Young bust portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin on reverse
- No mint mark (all coins struck at RCM in Ottawa)
- Even brown copper color
- Plain/smooth edge, not reeded
- Weighs 3.24 grams
- Diameter of 19.05 mm
- Composition: 98% copper, 1.75% zinc, 0.25% tin
- Non-magnetic
If your coin differs from these specs, it may be counterfeit or altered. For example, some fakes are magnetic, have incorrect designs or dates, or weigh substantially more or less than 3.24 g. When in doubt, have your coin authenticated by a reputable third-party grading service.
1867 to 1967 Canadian Penny Value Chart
So what are these centennial cents worth? Like most coins, the value depends primarily on the condition or grade. Circulated pennies with obvious wear are worth only face value. But pristine, mint state examples with original luster can be quite valuable to collectors.
Below is a value chart for regular issue 1867-1967 pennies in Canadian dollars:
[insert value chart showing prices for grades G4 to MS67]As you can see, most worn pennies are essentially worthless, valued at only 1 cent. Uncirculated coins graded MS-60 to MS-63 are worth 75 cents to about $1.50. Gems graded MS-65 jump to $15, while the finest known MS-66 and MS-67 survivors realize $50 to $300.
Keep in mind, professional grading by PCGS, NGC or ICCS is essential for coins to trade at these levels. Raw, ungraded coins sell for much less. If you have a choice uncirculated penny, consider submitting it for grading to maximize its value.
Rare Error Varieties Can Be Quite Valuable
While regular pennies are common, a few rare error varieties are worth a sizeable premium to collectors:
Double 1867 Dates
On some dies, the 1867 digits in the date were repunched or doubled, creating a visible dual image. This variety is about 50-100x scarcer than normal pennies. Circulated examples start around $10-25, while mint state coins run $100-1,000+ depending on the grade.
Here is a value chart for the 1867/1867 doubled date variety:
Transitional Errors
In 1967, some Centennial cent planchets were accidentally struck with the previous year‘s 1966 dies, creating a transitional "mule" error. These rare off-metal errors have sold for $1,000 to $5,000+ based on the grade. Likewise, some 1968 pennies were mistakenly struck on 1967 Centennial planchets.
Die Cracks, Clips, Off-Centers
A variety of striking and planchet errors have been documented for 1967 cents such as die cracks, die chips, ragged clips, double strikes, and off-center strikes ranging from 5% to 50%+. Values fluctuate widely based on the magnitude and eye appeal of the error. Minor die cracks or small clips may only be worth $5-10, while dramatic off-centers can bring $50 to $500 or more.
If you suspect you have found a rare error penny, consider submitting it to PCGS, NGC or ICCS for authentication and grading. Many errors are unique or nearly so, with very little pricing data available. An expert opinion can help you determine an accurate value.
What Makes the 1867-1967 Penny Seem Surprisingly Common?
Many collectors are surprised that 100+ year old 1867 pennies, even in mint condition, aren‘t automatically rare and valuable. There are a few reasons for this:
- The 1867 date is symbolic, not the actual year of issue. These coins were minted in 1967, which in coin terms is not very old.
- A staggering number were struck in that single year, so these pennies are not rare in absolute terms, despite the unique date.
- With a mintage of 345+ million, a substantial number of choice, uncirculated examples have survived to the present day.
- Collector demand for the series is fairly soft, as most numismatists are content with a single mint state type coin vs a complete date set.
- Many more scarce and expensive coin types compete for collector dollars, making the relatively common Centennial penny a lower priority.
That said, registry set collectors avidly pursue the highest graded Centennial pennies, and rare varieties or unusual errors can be very valuable. So it certainly pays to closely check your change for that special 1867 1967 penny.
How to Find the Value of Your 1867 1967 Penny
Follow these steps to determine how much your Centennial penny is worth:
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Does your coin have the correct weight, diameter, composition and other attributes listed above? If not, it may be counterfeit or altered.
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Check for any visible errors like doubling, repunched dates, die cracks/chips, off-centers, fold-overs etc. Error coins can be very valuable.
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Grade your coin based on the amount of wear. Brown uncirculated coins with no wear are most valuable. Consult a grading guide to determine the grade.
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Review the price charts above based on the error variety, if applicable, and grade to gauge your coin‘s retail value.
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Get an expert opinion. For valuable errors or high grade coins, consider having your penny authenticated and graded by a trusted third-party service like PCGS, NGC or ICCS.
Remember, unless your penny is mint state or has a rare error, it is likely only worth face value. Don‘t get your hopes up for a big payday. Still, finding any century-old coin in your change is exciting, even if it‘s not a jackpot.
Where to Buy and Sell 1867 1967 Canadian Pennies
If you‘re looking to purchase a high grade or error Centennial penny for your collection, check out these popular marketplaces:
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eBay – Huge selection and competitive prices, but beware of counterfeits/altered coins and exaggerated grade claims. Try to buy PCGS, NGC or ICCS certified coins only.
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Heritage Auctions – Premier auction house for Canadian coins, with many accurately graded registry set quality offerings. Expect to pay a 15-25% buyer‘s fee.
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Amazon – Some collector coins, but a minefield of fakes, overgrading and improper descriptions. Best to avoid in most cases.
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Canadian Coin News – Monthly publication with a robust classifieds section featuring coins from vetted dealers. Great for finding rarer varieties and errors.
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Local coin shows/shops – Nothing beats seeing a coin in hand before buying. Good venue for circulated coins, but rare mint state examples may be hard to find.
To sell your 1867-1967 pennies, consider these options:
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Sell on eBay – Quick and easy, but expect to lose 10-15% in fees. Be sure to list certified coins to earn top dollar.
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Sell to a local coin shop – Most dealers pay only 40-60% of retail, but you get instant cash with no hassles of listing online. Best for circulated coins.
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Consign to auction – Maximize value for high-end certified examples by consigning to a major auction house like Heritage or Stacks Bowers. They take a 10-20% cut.
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Sell on Facebook, Craigslist, etc. – Connect with local collectors and save on fees, but beware of scammers and hagglers. Prices may be subpar.
As always, stay safe when meeting strangers to buy or sell coins. Meet at the local police station lobby if possible. Trust your instincts and walk away if a deal seems shady. There will always be more coins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a 1867 to 1967 Canadian penny?
A: The 1867 to 1967 penny is a commemorative one cent coin issued in 1967 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. Designed by Alex Colville, it features a flying rock dove and dual dates.
Q: How much is a 1867 to 1967 Canadian penny worth?
A: Circulated examples are worth face value of 1 cent. Mint state coins run $1 to $300+ based on the grade and designation. Rare errors and varieties can be worth $50 to $5,000 or more.
Q: How many 1867-1967 Canadian pennies were minted?
A: The Royal Canadian Mint struck 345,140,645 Centennial pennies in 1967. Two main varieties exist: the normal issue and the scarce doubled 1867 date.
Q: Where is the mint mark on the 1867 1967 penny?
A: There is no mint mark, as all coins were struck at the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa.
Q: What are the 1867 1967 penny specifications?
A: 1867-1967 cents weigh 3.24 grams, measure 19.05 mm in diameter, and are composed of 98% copper. They have a plain edge and are non-magnetic.
Q: Is the 1867 1967 Canadian penny rare?
A: In worn condition, no. It‘s an extremely common coin with a mintage of over 345 million. However, some rare varieties and high grade mint state examples are quite scarce and valuable.
Q: How do I sell my 1867 1967 pennies?
A: Selling options include eBay, coin dealers, auction houses, Craigslist/Facebook, and more. Fees, speed of payment, and final price vary considerably.
Armed with this knowledge, you‘re ready to cherrypick those Centennial pennies from your change. While you likely won‘t fund your retirement, you may find a few valuable treasures to add to your collection. Good luck and happy hunting!
