Commemorative coins of Canada

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

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 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.[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:

Denomination Design Symbolism Mintage
Penny Rock dove Spiritual values and peace 345,140,645[6]
Nickel Snowshoe rabbit Emblematic of fertility and new life 36,876,574[7]
Dime Mackerel Continuity 62,998,215[8]
Quarter Lynx Embodiment of intelligence and decisive action 48,855,500[9]
50-cent piece Howling wolf The vastness of Canada 4,211,392[10]
Silver dollar Goose Dynamic serenity 6,767,496[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]

Denomination Theme[14] Designer[15] Title Mintage
Nickel Our Passions Gerald Gloade Living Traditions 20,000,000[16]
Dime Our Character Amy Choi Wings of Peace 20,000,000[16]
Quarter Canada's Future Joelle Wong Hope for a Green Future 20,000,000[16]
50-cent piece Confederation Ariana Cuvin CANADA 150 875,000
Loonie Our Achievements Wesley Klassen Connecting a Nation[17] 10,000,000[16]
Toonie Our Wonders Stephen and Timothy Hsia Dance of the Spirits 10,000,000[16]

Two dollar coin (Toonie)
Main article: 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
Main article: 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
Main article: 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
Main article: 50-cent piece (Canadian 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)
Main article: Quarter (Canadian coin)

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)
Main article: Dime (Canadian coin)

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)
Main articles: Nickel (Canadian coin) and 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)
Main article: Penny (Canadian coin)

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

References
  1. Royal Canadian Mint: Faces of the Monarch.
  2. Royal Canadian Mint Currency Timeline, p. 5.
  3. Royal Canadian Mint Currency Timeline, p. 8.
  4. Royal Canadian Mint Currency Timeline, p. 9.
  5. The Royal Canadian Mint Currency Timeline, p. 7.
  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. 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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