Victoria one-cent issue study
Canada Victoria One Cent 1881-H
A lower-mintage H issue with an unusually broad specialist variety register.
The public image shows an honestly circulated coin with visible reverse corrosion; condition should not be confused with a variety diagnostic.
Issue history and identity
The 1881-H continues contracted Birmingham production. It is a useful teaching issue because mint identity, obverse hub and minor letter diagnostics must be kept separate.
- Mint
- Ralph Heaton & Sons
- Mint mark
- H
- Reverse family
- Wyon original wreath
Mintage and physical standard
| Reported mintage | 2,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Evidence status | estimated |
| Composition | Cu 95% · Sn 4% · Zn 1% |
| Weight / diameter / thickness | 5.67 g · 25.4 mm · 1.5 mm |
| Edge / alignment | Plain / medal |
Pre-1911 totals are reported estimates.
Varieties and attribution status
- Normal — base issue; major catalog identity
- Double N — doubled letter; source-reported minor entry
- Triple N — tripled letter; source-reported minor entry
- Doubled die #1 — doubled die; source-reported minor entry
- Doubled die #2 — doubled die; source-reported minor entry
- Single-serif N — letter style; source-reported minor entry
- Micro D — letter size; source-reported minor entry
- Obverse 1a — obverse hub; major catalog identity
Price, population and auction context
These are dated third-party guide observations, not offers, appraisals or guarantees. Variety, colour designation, surfaces, certification and market timing can materially change results.
| Attribution | G4 | VF20 | AU50 | MS60 | MS63 | MS64 | MS65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1881-H | $5.9 | $15.1 | $46.4 | $89.3 | $341 | $656 | $3190 |
PCGS population snapshot
- BN
- 56
- RB
- 44
- RD
- 7
Certification counts are not survivors.
Selected auction history
No selected auction record is published.
Grading, care and collecting
The public image shows an honestly circulated coin with visible reverse corrosion; condition should not be confused with a variety diagnostic.
- Read wear and surface problems separately.
- Do not clean; use inert PVC-free storage.
- Treat PCGS and NGC colour labels as service-specific.
Related issues
Issue references
- 1 cent 1881 prices and valuesCoins and Canada
issue varieties; dated price guide
- 1 centRoyal Canadian Mint
denomination history; 1858–1911 reverse design and designer
- Canada Cent KM#7 1876–1901NGC
series specification corroboration; issue mintage corroboration