When were pennies first made in Canada?

Answer 1

Canada has never issued a Halfpenny or half cent coin since Confederation.

Prior to Confederation, any Halfpenny coins circulating in what was to become Canada would have been British Halfpennies. British coins do not have the country name on them.

Until Confederation, private banks such as the Bank of Upper Canada and the Bank of Montreal, issued their own coins and some of the provinces such as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia issued their own coins.

All of these coins will indicate the origin of the coin.

Answer 2

Canadian Coins were originally minted in England, so all Canadian large cents dated from 1858 until 1907 were shipped from overseas. The Royal Canadian Mint opened in 1908 in Ottawa, allowing Canadian coinage to be minted at home.

Answer 3

Here's some information from the Royal Canadian Mint, where all our money is made:

Pennies: Since 2000 pennies have been 94% steel, 1.5% nickel, 4.5% copper plating. From 1997 until 2000, the coin was made of copper-plated zinc. Prior to 1997 the one-cent coin was 98% copper, 1.75% zinc and 0.25% other metals.

Answer 4

Any Canadian cent dated up through 1996 is primarily copper.