AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a 1967 Canadian one cent coin, a special commemorative issue marking the centennial of the Canadian Confederation. The reverse of the coin, visible in the image, features the iconic design by Alex Colville: a rock dove in flight, symbolizing peace and forward motion. Above the bird is the denomination '1 CENT' and below is 'CANADA 1867-1967'. The coin is composed of 98% copper, 0.5% tin, and 1.5% zinc, with a standard diameter of 19.05 mm and a weight of 3.24 grams. Physically, the coin shows a darkened bronze patina consistent with circulation and oxidation over several decades. There are visible signs of wear across the high points of the relief, specifically on the bird's body and wings. Notable condition issues include a small greenish oxidation spot (verdigris) near the bird's tail and various minor surface abrasions and rim nicks. The strike appears to be well-centered with legible inscriptions, though the luster has faded into a matte brownish-red tone. This piece represents a significant historical memento of the Canadian Royal Mint's 1967 series, which featured distinct wildlife designs for every denomination.

I have conducted a visual examination of the 1967 Canadian Centennial One Cent coin featuring the Alex Colville Rock Dove design. The specimen displays characteristics consistent with a coin that has seen significant circulation. The darkened bronze patina and visible wear on the high relief points of the dove's plumage indicate a grade likely in the 'Fine' to 'Very Fine' range. The presence of verdigris near the bird's tail is a concern, as this active oxidation can eventually pit the copper surface if not professionally conserved. From a market perspective, this is a very common issue with a mintage exceeding 345 million units. While the 1967 series is beloved by collectors for its unique wildlife motifs, circulated examples of the cent are abundant and generally do not command a premium above their face value or copper melt value, unless they are in Mint State (MS-65 or higher) or possess rare 'double strike' errors. Authenticity appears genuine based on the strike characteristics and font styles. However, a definitive assessment of metallic composition and the depth of the verdigris requires an in-person examination under 10x magnification. Without physical handling, it is impossible to rule out subtle chemical cleaning or to confirm the 'red' vs 'brown' luster designation that significantly impacts high-end numismatic value. For a certified valuation, the piece would need to be weighed to a thousandth of a gram and inspected for microscopic surface hairlines typical of past cleanings.