Summary
1/2 Cent, Issued by, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1861
Minted by Royal Mint, London
Obverse Description
Laureate bust of the Queen facing left; around, VICTORIA D:G: BRIT: REG: F:D:
Reverse Description
Within a wreath of roses and mayflowers, a beaded circle around a crown above the date 1861; around above, HALF CENT; below, NOVA SCOTIA
Edge Description
Plain
Significance
In 1859 Nova Scotia adopted the decimal system. Their dollar would equal 1/5 th of a pound sterling. In Nova Scotia therefore the British 6 pence, a coin in circulation in Nova Scotia, equaled 12 1/2 cents so Nova Scotia needed a 1/2 cent denomination so that change couuld be given for a 6 pence. In 1860 New Brunswick also adopted a decimal system but based on the gold dollar of the United States of America. The outcome of this was that the British 6 pence was worth 12 cents in New Brunswick but 12 1/2 cents in Nova Scotia. Both colonies ordered new decimal coins from the Royal Mint dated 1861. New Brunswick did not need the 1/2 cent denomination but the Royal Mint prepared 1/2 cent coins for both colonies. The mistake was soon noted and most of the New Brunswick 1/2 cents were melted. A few hundred from the 220,800 pieces struck are thought to have survived by being mixed with the Nova Scotia 1/2 cents and then shipped to Halifax. They did not circulate in New Brunswick, but in Nova Scotia.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1861 AD
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Issued By
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Mint
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Artist
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Bronze
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
20 mm (Outside Diameter), 2.927 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
KM#7
[Book] Bruce, Colin R. 2006. Standard Catalogue of World Coins 1801 - 1900.
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Keywords