1920 – 1 Cent Canada – Small

The 1920 Canadian 1 cent coin, known as the Small Cent, marked a significant change from the previous larger penny due to economic reasons. It was reduced in diameter to 19.05 mm and weighed 3.24 grams, made primarily of 95.5% copper, 3% tin, and 1.5% zinc. The obverse featured the effigy of King George V with no rim denticles, while the reverse showed two maple leaves with the words “CANADA ONE CENT 1920” without any rim denticles or beads, symbolizing a simpler design shift. This smaller penny was introduced to reduce production costs as copper prices had risen sharply during and after World War I, making the large penny too expensive to produce. Despite the size reduction, the design maintained iconic Canadian symbols, such as the maple leaves, reflecting both tradition and practicality.