The featured item on our online store this week is a scarce 1861 New Brunswick Half Cent which has been ICCS certified and graded AU-55.
History
In 1860 New Brunswick adopted a decimal system based on the gold dollar of the United States of America unlike Nova Scotia where their dollar had been set at 5 to the pound sterling. 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 but while Nova Scotia required a 1/2 cent denomination to play a part in change for a sixpence, New Brunswick did not. The Royal Mint prepared 1/2 cent coins for both colonies but the mistake was soon noted and most of the New Brunswick 1/2 cents were melted. A few hundred (including this example) from the 220,800 pieces struck at the Royal Mint 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.
Coin Design and Specifications
Obverse: Laureate bust of the Queen facing left; around, VICTORIA D:G: BRIT: REG: F:D:
Reverse: Within a wreath of roses and mayflowers, a beaded circle around a crown above the date 1861; around above, HALF CENT; below, NEW BRUNSWICK
Designer and Engraver: Leonard C. Wyon
Composition: .95 copper, .04 tin, .01 zinc
Diameter: 20.65 mm
Weight: 2.84 grams
Edge: Plain
Die Axis: ↑↑
