A Fascinating Piece of Canadian Numismatic History

Among the many treasures of early Canadian coinage, the 1858 Canadian 20-cent coin holds a special place in numismatic history. Struck nearly a decade before Canadian Confederation, this remarkable silver coin represents one of the earliest chapters in Canada's decimal currency system.

While the 1858 20-cent piece is already a desirable collectible, certain varieties are particularly interesting to specialists. One such example is the 1858 RP-D (DEI), also recognized as the Blundered I in DEI variety.

What Makes the 1858 RP-D (DEI) Special?

The defining feature of this variety is found in the inscription surrounding Queen Victoria's portrait on the obverse.

The Latin inscription reads:

VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA CANADA

On the RP-D (DEI) variety, an unusual repunching or engraving irregularity affects the lettering in the word DEI.

This small but distinctive feature separates the variety from the regular 1858 issue and makes it especially appealing to collectors who appreciate early Canadian die varieties.

These subtle differences are part of what makes numismatics so fascinating: two coins of the same year and denomination can tell very different stories.

A Historic One-Year Denomination

The 1858 Canadian 20-cent coin was introduced during the Province of Canada era, before Confederation in 1867.

With a total reported mintage of just 730,392 pieces, the 1858 issue is an important part of Canadian monetary history.

Unlike the familiar 25-cent denomination that eventually became standard, the 20-cent piece had a very limited production history in Canadian coinage.

Its unusual denomination, historic significance, and attractive Victorian design continue to make it popular among collectors.

Technical Specifications

• Year: 1858

• Denomination: 20 Cents

• Variety: RP-D (DEI) / Blundered I in DEI

• Monarch: Queen Victoria

• Composition: 92.5% Silver

• Weight: 4.65 grams

• Diameter: 23.3 mm

• Edge: Reeded

• Designer: Leonard Charles Wyon

• Total Mintage: 730,392 (all circulation varieties combined)

The exact number of coins produced with the RP-D (DEI) variety is not separately documented.

Why Collectors Appreciate This Variety

For collectors specializing in early Canadian silver coinage, the 1858 RP-D (DEI) offers several appealing characteristics.

First, it belongs to a historically significant one-year denomination. Second, its distinctive lettering variety adds another level of numismatic interest.

Finally, locating an example with clearly identifiable variety details and attractive original surfaces can be a rewarding challenge.

Certified examples are particularly appealing because professional grading provides an independent assessment of condition, while variety attribution should be verified on the holder or through specialist examination.

A Remarkable Addition to a Canadian Collection

The 1858 Canadian 20 Cents RP-D (DEI) is more than an early silver coin. It represents a fascinating combination of Canadian history, Victorian craftsmanship, and specialized numismatic collecting.

Whether you're building a complete collection of Canadian 20-cent varieties or searching for distinctive pre-Confederation silver coins, this issue deserves attention.

At CoinsFlip.ca, we're passionate about discovering and offering exceptional Canadian coins, including scarce dates, recognized varieties, and premium certified examples.

Explore our collection at www.CoinsFlip.ca and discover your next piece of Canadian history.

Sources and reference material

The historical background and technical specifications were verified using Numicanada and historical research published by Library and Archives Canada. 

Important distinction: The total mintage of 730,392 applies to all 1858 circulation varieties, not specifically the RP-D (DEI). No confirmed individual mintage or surviving population was found for this variety, so I have avoided claiming a precise rarity ranking.