Commemorative coins of Canada

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Commemorative coins of Canada are coins issued by the Royal Canadian Mint to commemorate significant persons, special events, and anniversaries.

Contents

Commemorative coins and general circulation

This page deals with commemorative coins issued by the Mint for general circulation, in the normal denominations of Canadian coins: two dollar; one dollar; fifty cent; twenty-five cent; ten cents; five cents; and one cent (now discontinued). They are available from the Mint and commercial banks at their normal face value.

Commemorative coins for circulation are distinct from numismatic coins issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, which contain special features and finishes, are available in different denominations than the normal circulating coins, and are for sale at higher prices than their face value.

Because of the large number of commemorative coins issued by the Mint, it is not possible to list them all in one article. Instead, this page provides links to the articles on the different denominations of Canadian coins, which each include lists of the commemorative coins issued in that denomination.

Commemorative designs on reverse

The obverse of all Canadian coins feature the reigning monarch, currently His Majesty King Charles III. [1] The effigies of the monarchs on the coins originally were provided by the Royal Mint in London, leading to similarity between Canadian coins and coins of other Commonwealth nations. Since 1990, however, the effigy has been prepared by Canadian artists.

Commemorative designs are thus on the reverse of the coins. They replace the usual designs, which have been used for most of the denominations since 1937, [2] 1987 for the one dollar coin, [3] and 1996 for the two dollar coin. [4] They are usually designed by an artist other than the artist who designs the effigy of the monarch.

Centennial series

Although specific commemorations are usually limited to only one denomination of the coins, there have been two exceptions where the entire set of coins was issued with commemorative designs. That is, in 1967 to commemorate the Centennial of Canada, and in 2017 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Canada.

For the 1967 Centennial series, the Mint commissioned noted Canadian artist Alex Colville to design a new series of coins. [5] His designs, and their symbolism, were as follows:

DenominationDesignSymbolismMintage
Penny Rock doveSpiritual values and peace345,140,645 [6]
Nickel Snowshoe rabbitEmblematic of fertility and new life36,876,574 [7]
Dime MackerelContinuity62,998,215 [8]
Quarter LynxEmbodiment of intelligence and decisive action48,855,500 [9]
50-cent piece Howling wolfThe vastness of Canada4,211,392 [10]
Silver dollar GooseDynamic serenity6,767,496 [11]

For the 2017 Canada 150 series, the Royal Canadian Mint held a contest titled My Canada, My Inspiration [12] to determine the reverse designs of the five circulating coins. The 50-cent coin would contain the Canadian Coat of Arms on the reverse, with the Canada 150 logo, designed by Ariana Cuvin, on the obverse, replacing Queen Elizabeth II. [13]

DenominationTheme [14] Designer [15] TitleMintage
Nickel Our PassionsGerald GloadeLiving Traditions20,000,000 [16]
Dime Our CharacterAmy ChoiWings of Peace20,000,000 [16]
Quarter Canada's FutureJoelle WongHope for a Green Future20,000,000 [16]
50-cent piece ConfederationAriana CuvinCANADA 150875,000
Loonie Our AchievementsWesley KlassenConnecting a Nation [17] 10,000,000 [16]
Toonie Our WondersStephen and Timothy HsiaDance of the Spirits10,000,000 [16]

Two dollar coin (Toonie)

The two dollar coin, nicknamed the toonie, was issued in 1996, replacing the two dollar note issued by the Bank of Canada. It normally features a polar bear on the reverse. [4]

For the list of commemorative two dollar coins issued by the Mint, see: Toonie .

One dollar coin (Voyageur and Loonie)

Voyageur dollar

There have been two different designs for the one dollar coin. The first, the Voyageur one dollar coin, was issued in 1935 to commemorate the twenty-five years of King George V's reign. It featured a voyageur (French-Canadian fur trader) and an indigenous man, paddling a birch-bark canoe laden with furs, with the northern lights in the background. [2] Although intended as a commemorative coin, it continued to be issued until 1986, the year before the Loonie was introduced.

For information on the Voyageur dollar, see: Voyageur dollar .

Loonie

In 1987, the Mint introduced a new one dollar coin. It normally features a loon on the reverse. Nicknamed the loonie, it replaced both the one dollar note issued by the Bank of Canada [18] and the Voyageur dollar.

For the list of commemorative one dollar coins issued by the Mint since 1987, see: Loonie .

Fifty cent coin

The fifty cent coin has borne the Canadian coat of arms on its reverse since the current coin designs were introduced in 1937. [2] There were minor changes to the design of the arms in 1959, when the depiction of the arms was simplified. As well, the Queen suggested that the Tudor crown on the arms be replaced with the crown of St Edward the Confessor. [19] Although a circulating coin, the fifty-cent coin is rarely used.

For the list of commemorative fifty cent coins issued by the Mint, see: 50-cent piece (Canadian coin) .

Twenty-five cent coin (Quarter)

The twenty-five cent coin has borne a caribou on its reverse since the current coin designs were introduced in 1937. [2] The twenty-five cent coin is the coin which is most frequently used for commemorative purposes.

For the list of commemorative twenty-five cent coins issued by the Mint, see: Quarter (Canadian coin) .

Ten cent coin (Dime)

The ten cent coin has borne the Nova Scotia schooner, the Bluenose , on its reverse since the current coin designs were introduced in 1937. [2]

For the list of commemorative ten cent coins issued by the Mint, see: Dime (Canadian coin) .

Five cent coin (Nickel)

The five cent coin has borne a beaver on its reverse since the current coin designs were introduced in 1937. [2]

For the list of commemorative five cent coins issued by the Mint, see: Nickel (Canadian coin) .

One cent coin (Penny)

The one cent coin bore two maple leaves on its reverse since the current coin designs were introduced in 1937 [2] until its discontinuance in 2013. [20]

For the list of commemorative one cent coins issued by the Mint, see: Penny (Canadian coin) .

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nickel (Canadian coin)</span> Canadian coin worth 5 cents

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Canadian dollar</span> History of currency in Canada

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The dollar was the currency of New Brunswick between 1860 and 1867. It replaced the pound at a rate of 4 dollars = 1 pound and was equal to the Canadian dollar. The New Brunswick dollar was replaced by the Canadian dollar at par when New Brunswick entered the Canadian Confederation.

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The voyageur dollar is a coin of Canada that was struck for circulation from 1935 through 1986. Until 1968, the coin was composed of 80% silver. A smaller, nickel version for general circulation was struck from 1968 through 1986. In 1987, the coin was replaced by the loonie. Like all of Canada's discontinued coins, the voyageur dollar coins remain legal tender.

The coins of the Australian dollar were introduced on 14 February 1966, although they did not at that time include the one-dollar or two-dollar coins. The dollar was equivalent in value to 10 shillings in the former currency.

The coins of the New Zealand dollar are used for the smallest physical currency available in New Zealand. The current denominations are ten cents, twenty cents, fifty cents, one dollar and two dollars. The $1 and $2 coins are minted in a gold colour, the 20c and 50c coins are silver colour and the 10c coin is plated in copper.

The Pitcairn Islands is a non-sovereign British overseas territory and the New Zealand dollar is used as exchange. The Pitcairn Islands began issuing its first commemorative coins in 1988. Though the Pitcairn Islands dollar is not a true currency in the strict sense of the word, and is not used as a circulation coinage, it can be lawfully exchanged as tender. The Pitcairn Islands dollar exists only because of the coin collecting market, which provides a major staple for the island nation. Having a population of only 50 according to the 2020 census, and with only one island in the group of four being populated, there is no need for local coinage. Coins consist of an important part of the Pitcairn Islands' tiny economy and help raise funds for the government's largely fixed and subsidised income.

References

  1. ↑ Royal Canadian Mint: Faces of the Monarch.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Royal Canadian Mint Currency Timeline, p. 5" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  3. ↑ "Royal Canadian Mint Currency Timeline, p. 8" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  4. 1 2 "Royal Canadian Mint Currency Timeline, p. 9" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  5. ↑ "The Royal Canadian Mint Currency Timeline, p. 7" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  6. ↑ Michael, Thomas (ed.). 2017 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 (44th ed.). Krause Publications. p. 309. ISBN   978-1440246548.
  7. ↑ Michael, Thomas (ed.). 2017 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 (44th ed.). Krause Publications. p. 312. ISBN   978-1440246548.
  8. ↑ Michael, Thomas (ed.). 2017 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 (44th ed.). Krause Publications. p. 313. ISBN   978-1440246548.
  9. ↑ Michael, Thomas (ed.). 2017 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 (44th ed.). Krause Publications. p. 315. ISBN   978-1440246548.
  10. ↑ Michael, Thomas (ed.). 2017 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 (44th ed.). Krause Publications. p. 322. ISBN   978-1440246548.
  11. ↑ Michael, Thomas (ed.). 2017 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 (44th ed.). Krause Publications. p. 327. ISBN   978-1440246548.
  12. ↑ "Royal Canadian Mint launches contest to design special coins for Canada's 150th anniversary" (Press release). Global News. royal Canadian Mint. March 11, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  13. ↑ "2015 50-Cent Special Wrap Roll Pack". Royal Canadian Mint. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Royal Canadian Mint unveils its 2017 Canada 150 circulation coin series". CBC News. November 2, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  15. ↑ Royal Canadian Mint (2016). 2016 Annual Report – With Pride and Purpose (PDF) (Report). p. 3. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Royal Canadian Mint (2017). 2017 Annual Report – Delivering Results (PDF) (Report). p. 86. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  17. ↑ Johnson, Kathy (December 27, 2016). "South Shore icons designed on Canada 150 loonie". South Shore Breaker. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  18. ↑ Bank of Canada Museum: Scenes of Canada - One dollar note.
  19. ↑ Royal Canadian Mint Currency Timeline, p. 6.
  20. ↑ Royal Canadian Mint: Phasing out the Penny.
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