Canadian large cent

The Canadian large cent was a bronze one-cent coin issued between 1858 and 1920, representing 1⁄100 of a Canadian dollar. Legislation enacted in 1853 initially authorised the Province of Canada to issue decimal currency alongside English pounds and shillings. When coin production was ordered in 1858 to modernise circulation, the cents were struck in bronze with a diameter of 25.4 millimetres and an initial weight of 4.54 grams. The original order of ten million pieces exceeded public demand, forcing the government to release surplus coins into circulation at a discount over the following decade.

A renewed production run was not required until 1876, when the coin's weight was increased to 5.67 grams. These 1876 pieces, along with strikings dated 1881 and 1882, were produced in England by Ralph Heaton & Sons and display an 'H' mintmark. Striking shifted to the Royal Mint in London for coins dated 1884 and 1886 to 1888, before briefly returning to the Birmingham Mint in 1890 and back to London in 1891. Canadian large cents continued to be manufactured in England until domestic production commenced with the opening of the Ottawa Mint.

The obverse of the coin consistently depicted the reigning monarch. Following the death of Queen Victoria, a right-facing bust of King Edward VII designed by George William de Saulles was introduced. The large format ended in May 1920, when the Canadian Parliament authorised a reduced 19.1-millimetre bronze penny.