Only one type of coin, the one-cent piece, was struck for the Prince Edward Island dollar, in 1871. PEI entered Confederation two years later. Both sides of the coin were designed by Leonard Charles Wyon. The obverse had Queen Victoria, with inscription "VICTORIA QUEEN" and the date. The reverse was specially made for the PEI government. It had the seal of the colony—a large oak tree, symbolising England, sheltering three younger ones, which symbolised Prince Edward Island's three counties. Below the seal was located the Latin phrase "PARVA SUB INGENTI", translated as "The small beneath the great". Around the seal and phrase was written "PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND", and the denomination, "ONE CENT". The coin was produced at the Heaton Mint, due to the London Mint having to strike domestic coins. However, the "H" mint mark is missing. The coin is composed of 95% copper. 4% tin, and 1% zinc. It has a weight of 5.67 grams and a diameter of 25.40 mm. It has a plain edge. Two million one-cent pieces were minted. PEI's government would experience difficulties in placing the coins in circulation—10 years were needed for the government to get rid of them. The last of the coins were sold at a 10 percent discount.
Banknotes
The Prince Edward Island Treasury issued British pound notes in 5 and 10 shilling, and 1, 2, and 5-pound denominations. The Merchant Bank of Prince Edward Island issued banknotes in 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 dollar denominations.
Bank of Prince Edward Island
The Bank of Prince Edward Island incorporated on 14 April 1856 in Charlottetown, after nearly two years of negotiations with Great Britain over the legality of a colony-established bank. On 13 August 1856 the bank opened for business, and was the first bank established on the island. The founding directors included: , , Daniel Davies, Henry Haszard, and . In 1857 the Bank of PEI temporarily closed after the directors discovered that the bank president and cashier had made loans that exceeded their capital. The cashier remained at the bank while the president resigned. In 1881, after it was discovered that the cashier had made irresponsibly large loans, the bank was closed, and liquidated over the next several years. The Bank of Prince Edward Island was the first in Canada to file for bankruptcy.
Issuance
The bank's first issue of paper currency was dated the same day and included 5 and 10 shilling notes, and 1 and 5 pound notes. A shorter issue of notes in 1859 only included the 10 shilling and 2 pound denominations. The 1872 issue in Canadian dollars was initially dated 1 January 1872.
