Description
Ten years ago, on May 4th, 2012, the Royal Canadian Mint struck Canada’s last one cent coins ever issued for circulation. Like on all other days before, newly struck cent coins were packed in boxes containing 2500 coins in 50 shrink wrapped rolls, and the box was sealed and stamped with the date of production. While surviving sealed original mint boxes from any date are relatively scarce, boxes sealed and date stamped from the last day of issue are much rarer and highly prized collectibles. This original sealed box of 2012 cent coins was produced on the very last day of production ever and bears the Royal Canadian Mint’s date stamp showing May 4th, 2012.
The demise of the penny was part of a budget announcement on March 29. 2012, providing just five week’s notice to Canadians and to the Royal Canadian Mint. Because of this short timeline, a large portion of the 2012 cent coins remained unissued, and many were recycled by the mint for their metal value after the cent was officially discontinued. This adds substantially to the scarcity and desirability of Canada’s final cent coin issue.
Bonus: A $20 Royal Canadian Mint fine silver “Farewell to the Penny” coin is also included.
Canada’s one cent denomination has a long history, starting with the Province of Canada large cent issues of 1858 and 1859, followed by post-confederation large cents issued from 1876 to 1920. From 1920 to 1936, the first small cents were issued with the effigy of King George V and two maple leaves. The final design by G. E. Kruger-Gray featuring a two-leaf maple sprig was introduced in 1937 and issued until May 4th, 2012.
While all the 2500 coins are in brilliant uncirculated condition, advanced collectors will recognize that the highest condition premium uncirculated examples are often found in this type of original box. Most of the coins in the rolls will grade as choice to near perfect gem uncirculated (MS-63 to MS-67). This original sealed box will contain 50 standard clear shrink wrap rolls (without a special wrap). Each roll contains 50 coins. All of the coins produced on May 4th, 2012 were made of copper plated zinc and are non-magnetic.
