Most hobbyists approach collecting Canadian pennies as they would any coin series – usually either by type or date. Type collectors enjoy assembling runs of both large cents and small cents depicting each of the changes seen on those coins over the years. Such a collection would be a challenge to finish, though one that's far more affordable than collecting Canadian pennies by date – something many folks try endeavor doing.
There are several significant regular-issue rarities to be found among Canadian one-cent coins, including the following:
- 1858 Province of Canadian cent – $40+
- 1859 Province of Canadian cent – $20+
- 1881 Mixed Fonts Canadian cent – $12+
- 1881 Large/Small D Canadian cent – $12+
- 1884 Canadian cent – $30+
- 1891 Large Leaves, Small Date Canadian cent – $40+
- 1891 Small Leaves, Small Date Canadian cent – $30+
- 1907-H Canadian cent – $6+
- 1922 Canadian cent – $10+
- 1923 Canadian cent – $25+
- 1924 Canadian cent – $5+
- 1925 Canadian cent – $20+
- 1949 "A" Points to Denticle Canadian cent – $18+
- 1955 No Shoulder Fold Canadian cent – $100+
- 1965 Large Beads, Pointed "5" – $3+
- 1985 Pointed "5" Canadian cent – $3+
- 2006 Steel Canadian cent (error) – $150+
- 2006-P Canadian cent – $7+
There are also dozens of proof, specimen-quality, and other special strikes that are worth significantly more than face value but are unlikely to be found in circulation. Whether or not you dive deeply into collecting Canadian pennies and seek all the various design changes and varieties or are pursuing a more basic date set, you're sure to agree… Collecting Canadian pennies can be an exciting alternative to Lincoln cents that offers a bounty of exciting challenges for hobbyists on both sides of the United States-Canadian border!