1967 Canadian Centennial One Cent Coin

This is a Canadian one-cent piece minted in 1967 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. The reverse side, shown here, features an iconic rock dove in flight, designed by the renowned artist Alex Colville. The coin is struck in a bronze alloy, typically composed of 98% copper, 0.5% tin, and 1.5% zinc. It measures 19.05 mm in diameter with a weight of approximately 3.24 grams. The inscriptions include '1 CENT' at the top and 'CANADA 1867-1967' along the bottom rim. Physically, the coin shows signs of moderate circulation, with a noticeable brown patina transitioning from its original copper luster to a darker, aged appearance. There is visible surface wear on the high points of the dove's wings and body, along with minor rim nicks and surface scratches consistent with use in commerce. A small spot of green verdigris or oxidation is visible near the upper rim. The 1967 series was a one-year special design, replacing the traditional maple leaf for the centennial year, making it a distinct and popular item for numismatists. While millions were minted, finding examples with clear, sharp details and minimal environmental damage remains a priority for collectors.

I have carefully examined the provided description and image of this 1967 Canadian Centennial One Cent coin. Authenticity is tentatively confirmed based on the correct design elements by Alex Colville; however, a final verification would require a physical inspection of the weight and diameter to rule out modern counterfeits or struck-on-wrong-planchet errors. My visual assessment identifies the coin as being in 'Fine' to 'Very Fine' circulated condition. The transition to a deep brown patina, combined with visible wear on the high points of the rock dove's anatomy and the presence of green verdigris (oxidation) near the upper rim, significantly lowers the grade and long-term preservation outlook. In the current numismatic market, the 1967 Centennial penny is a 'one-year type' coin that is highly recognizable but was minted in massive quantities (over 345 million pieces). Consequently, it is not rare. High-value examples are restricted to 'Specimen' strikes or 'Mint State' (MS-65 or higher) grades featuring original red luster. This specific specimen exhibits signs of environmental damage (verdigris), which is chemically active and can further degrade the copper surface if not professionally conserved. Comparables for circulated, 'brown' strike pennies from this year typically sell in bulk or for nominal amounts at coin shops. Value is primarily sentimental unless part of a complete high-grade set. To provide a definitive authentication, I would need to perform a microscopic analysis of the mint mark area and use a precision scale. Provenance documentation or original mint packaging, while not present here, would also assist in establishing a premium above base market value.