Offered here is an 1856 Nova Scotia One Penny Token, an appealing piece of early Canadian history issued more than a decade before Canadian Confederation in 1867.
This historic copper-alloy token features a left-facing portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse and an intricate Mayflower plant design on the reverse, surrounded by the inscriptions PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA and ONE PENNY TOKEN.
Struck in 1856 by Heaton & Sons of Birmingham, England, these tokens represent an important chapter in the development of Canadian provincial currency. The beautifully detailed Mayflower reverse is especially desirable among collectors of early Canadian coinage.
1856 Nova Scotia One Penny Token
Historic Pre-Confederation Canadian Issue
Features Queen Victoria on the obverse
Beautiful Mayflower Floral Reverse
Struck by Heaton & Sons in Birmingham, England
Cataloged as Breton 875 / KM#6
More than 170 years old
Attractive circulated example with aged brown coloration
A fascinating piece of 19th-century Canadian monetary history
Date: 1856
Issuing Authority: Province of Nova Scotia
Country: Canada (Pre-Confederation)
Denomination: One Penny Token
Ruler: Queen Victoria
Composition: Copper Alloy / Bronze
Diameter: Approximately 33.3 mm (standard)
Weight: Approximately 15.1 grams (standard)
Mint: Heaton & Sons, Birmingham, England
Obverse: Queen Victoria facing left
Reverse: Mayflower plant with ONE PENNY TOKEN inscription
Catalog References: Breton 875 / KM#6
Condition: Circulated, ungraded
Perfect for:
Pre-Confederation Canadian coin collectors
Nova Scotia provincial token collections
Queen Victoria coin enthusiasts
British colonial numismatics
19th-century copper coin collectors
Canadian historical currency collections
Floral and botanical coin collectors
The 1856 Nova Scotia Mayflower Penny is particularly interesting because it was part of a government-authorized provincial coinage issued before Canada became a confederation.
Its reverse features the Mayflower, a plant closely associated with Nova Scotia and now recognized as the province's official floral emblem.
With its historic origins, distinctive design, and connection to Canada's early monetary system, this token makes a wonderful addition to a collection of early North American coinage.
This coin is in circulated condition and displays visible wear, scratches, surface marks, and aged brown coloration consistent with an antique copper-alloy piece. There are particularly noticeable scratches across Queen Victoria's portrait.
The coin is raw and uncertified, and no numerical grade is assigned.
You will receive the exact 1856 Nova Scotia One Penny Token shown in the photographs.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the item's description and provide the best representation of its overall condition.
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
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Keywords: 1856 Nova Scotia Penny, Nova Scotia One Penny Token, Queen Victoria Penny, 1856 Canadian Token, Pre Confederation Canada, Breton 875, KM6, Nova Scotia Mayflower, Mayflower Penny, Canadian Colonial Token, British Colonial Coin, Antique Copper Coin, 19th Century Canadian Currency, Victorian Coin, Heaton Mint, Early Canada Coinage, Shiner Coins