Numismatic

1920-1936 Canada Small Cent George V Avg Circ

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In 1920, Canada introduced a significant change to its lowest denomination, shrinking the physical size of the penny. This era of Canadian coinage, spanning from 1920 to 1936, features the portrait of King George V and represents a major transition in the nation's pocket change. The obverse side of this copper coin displays the crowned left-facing bust of King George V. Surrounding the royal portrait is a Latin inscription recognizing his title as King and Emperor. The design captures the formal imperial style of the period with great detail, even on examples that show the honest wear of daily circulation. On the reverse, the coin features its denomination and the year of issue framed by two classic Canadian maple leaves. This simple yet iconic botanical imagery established a design language that would define Canadian pennies for decades. Identified in numismatic catalogs as KM-28, these small cents offer a tangible connection to the daily commerce of Canada during the interwar years.