Among the many varieties found in early Canadian silver coinage, the 1909 Canadian 5 Cents Round Leaves Cross/Bow Tie stands out as one of the most desirable varieties of the King Edward VII era.
At first glance, it may look like an ordinary 1909 silver five-cent piece. But a small detail above the crown on the reverse can make an enormous difference in rarity and value.
A Rare Variety of the 1909 Five Cents
The 1909 Canadian 5-cent issue can be divided into several important reverse varieties:
- Round Leaves – Bow Tie
- Round Leaves – Cross/Bow Tie
- Pointed Leaves – Cross/Bow Tie
The Round Leaves Cross/Bow Tie is by far the key variety of the group.
The distinction comes from two design characteristics: the shape of the leaves surrounding the denomination and the small cross located above the crown.
During this period, modifications were made to the reverse design. The original Maltese-style cross above the crown had very little space and appeared more like a bow tie. A conventional cross was later engraved over this feature, creating what collectors now call the Cross/Bow Tie. In 1909, the leaves were also modified from the earlier rounded maple-leaf appearance to a more pointed, holly-like design.
The rare combination is therefore:
1909 + Round Leaves + Cross over Bow Tie
How Rare Is It?
The total reported circulation mintage for the 1909 five-cent issue is 1,890,865 coins, but this number includes the different varieties—the specific mintage of the Round Leaves Cross/Bow Tie is not separately reported.
Its scarcity becomes particularly obvious when comparing published values.
According to current Canadian price-guide data, a regular 1909 Round Leaves Bow Tie is listed at approximately $20 in VF-20, while the rare Round Leaves Cross/Bow Tie is listed around $625 in the same grade. In AU-50, the difference grows to approximately $98 versus $1,430.
Mint State examples are considerably more valuable, with published guide values of approximately $4,560 in MS-60, $5,100 in MS-62, $5,300 in MS-63 and $10,400 in MS-64 for the Cross/Bow Tie variety. These are guide values rather than guaranteed selling prices, but they clearly illustrate the premium collectors place on this variety.
How to Identify the 1909 Round Leaves Cross/Bow Tie
Identification requires careful examination of the reverse.
First, look at the leaves surrounding the denomination. The Round Leaves variety has softer, more rounded leaf tips compared with the sharper Pointed Leaves variety.
Then examine the very top of the crown. On the scarce variety, you should see evidence of the cross engraved over the earlier bow-tie-shaped feature.
This combination is important because the normal 1909 Round Leaves issue generally displays only the Bow Tie, while the scarce variety displays the Cross over Bow Tie.
On circulated examples, identification can sometimes be challenging because wear may obscure these small details. For a potentially valuable example, professional authentication and certification can therefore be especially worthwhile.
Specifications
The 1909 Canadian five-cent piece was struck in 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, with a weight of 1.16 grams and a diameter of only 15.5 mm. It features King Edward VII on the obverse and the denomination surrounded by branches beneath a crown on the reverse.
Despite its tiny size, the rare Cross/Bow Tie variety can carry substantial numismatic value.
A Small Coin With a Big Difference
The 1909 Round Leaves Cross/Bow Tie 5 Cents is a perfect example of why Canadian variety collecting can be so fascinating.
Two coins can share the same year, denomination and general appearance—yet a tiny difference in the crown and leaves can separate a relatively common coin from a rare and highly collectible variety worth many times more.
For collectors of early Canadian silver, Edward VII coinage, and major Canadian varieties, the 1909 Round Leaves Cross/Bow Tie is certainly one to watch for.
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