Canadian Currency Coins Names Guide with Pictures and Facts

Canadian coins are a vital part of our currency, and knowing the names of each coin can make a big difference in your daily transactions.

The Loonie, also known as the $1 coin, features a common loon on the reverse side, which is a nod to Canada's iconic bird.

The Toonie, or $2 coin, is a bit larger than the Loonie and features a polar bear on the reverse side.

The Toonie is also made of two layers, with a copper core and a nickel layer on the outside, giving it a distinctive look.

The Quarters, or 25-cent coins, feature a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse side, while the reverse side has a design that changes every few years.

The Dimes, or 10-cent coins, have a similar design to the Quarters, with a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse side and a changing design on the reverse side.

The Nickels, or 5-cent coins, feature a beaver on the reverse side, which is a nod to Canada's national animal.

The Pennies, or 1-cent coins, are the smallest denomination in Canadian currency and feature a maple leaf on the reverse side, which represents Canada's national symbol.

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The earliest coins in Canada were those carried by the first colonists and visitors to our shores, with French coins predominating along the St. Lawrence and English coins common in their territories.

In 1858, the British Royal Mint struck the first coinage for the Province of Canada, including five, ten, and silver twenty cents, and a one-cent coin made from copper. This marked the beginning of a unified monetary system in Canada.

The Province of Canada initially used a mix of coins from Spain, the US, and Britain, including the Spanish silver dollar and the British Sovereign. The British eventually established a streamlined monetary system, which paved the way for the development of a distinct Canadian currency.

The first Canadian coins were made from copper and silver, with the Province of Canada introducing five, ten, and twenty-cent coins in 1858.

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Canada's history of currency is fascinating, and it all began with the British colonization of North America by 1763. The absence of coins in the provinces made it difficult to conduct commerce.

The colonists introduced their own tokens and half-penny tokens made from brass or copper, but this disorganized system led to unfair trade practices.

In 1858, the British Royal Mint struck the first coinage for the Province of Canada, which included coins made from copper and silver. The initial offer included coins such as the five-cent, ten-cent, and twenty-cent coins, as well as a one-cent coin.

The Province of Canada wasn't the only region to acquire its coinage; other provinces followed suit, with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick getting their first coins in the 1860s. Manitoba, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Islands joined the Confederation in the 1870s and acquired their coinage.

Canada established its Mint in 1908 in Ottawa, marking a significant milestone in the country's history of currency. The first gold coin struck by the Mint that year had a design similar to the British sovereign, but with a C mint mark on the reverse to distinguish the two.

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Queen Victoria Coinage was first introduced in 1858, with coins bearing her effigy struck at the Royal Mint in London, England, in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 20 cents.

The 1¢ coin was a bit of a flop, being issued again in 1859 but ultimately unpopular due to its extremely light weight.

Coins of the Province of Canada had to be discounted by around 20% to get them into circulation.

After Confederation, coinage of the Dominion of Canada began in 1870, and Victoria coins in the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents were issued most years until 1901.

The 50¢ coin, bearing Queen Victoria's effigy, was introduced in 1871.

Victoria coins were widely used in Canada for several decades, with the 50¢ coin being a notable example.

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Upper Canada first used local tokens after 1812, when a series of lightweight halfpennies was issued in memory of Sir Isaac Brock.

These tokens were superseded after 1825 by a series of tokens with a sloop on one side and various designs on the other.

A copper twopenny token was issued by Lesslie & Sons in 1822.

The firm also issued halfpennies from 1824 to 1830.

There were no government issues in Upper Canada.

The Bank of Montreal was allowed to coin copper in 1841, and pennies and halfpennies appeared in 1842.

Halfpennies were issued again in 1844.

The Bank of Upper Canada received the right to coin copper in 1849, and large issues of pennies and halfpennies appeared in 1850, 1852, 1854, and 1857.

The Quebec Bank was allowed to issue pennies and halfpennies in 1852.

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Canadian coins come in seven denominations: 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, and $2. The sizes of the coins less than 50¢ are identical to those of U.S. coins.

The Canadian 5 cent coin was once 15 mm in size and made of silver, but it's now different from the US Liberty Head Nickels. The Canadian quarter is virtually identical in size and value to the British shilling.

You can find modest quantities of U.S. coinage circulating in Canada at par, and some Canadian coins circulate in the United States as well, although recent changes to the Canadian coinage have made acceptance less certain.

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The Queen Elizabeth II Obverse has undergone significant changes over the years. Four different portraits of the Queen have been used on Canadian coinage.

The first portrait was introduced in 1953 and was designed by Mary Gillick. It was similar to those used on British, Australian, and New Zealander coinage.

In 1966, a new portrait was introduced, designed by Arnold Machin. This portrait was also similar to those used in other countries.

A significant change came in 1990 with the introduction of a new portrait designed by Dora dePedery-Hunt. This portrait is unique to Canadian coinage.

Another new portrait was introduced in 2003, designed by Susanna Blunt. This portrait is also unique to Canadian coinage and replaced the 1990 portrait.

Canadian coins come in seven denominations: 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, and $2. The 50¢ coin is made in special editions only.

The sizes of the coins less than 50¢ are identical to those of U.S. coins. This wasn't always the case, though - the Canadian penny was much larger until 1920.

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The Canadian 5 cent coin was 15 mm in diameter until 1922, when the larger nickel coins were introduced.

You might have noticed that some U.S. coinage circulates in Canada at par, and some Canadian coins circulate in the United States as well. This partial interchangeability can be a bit confusing, but it's led to some interesting situations, like the time the U.S. Mint decided to create a dollar coin with the same diameter and coloring as the Canadian $1 coin.

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The 1947 Canadian Cent is a fascinating coin with several notable varieties. It's one of the most common coins in the series, but its variations make it interesting for collectors.

The 1947 Canadian Cent exists in two varieties: "blunt 7" and "pointed 7". The blunt 7 is scarcer and thus more valuable.

The rarest Canadian decimal coins are the 50-cent piece of 1921, the 5-cent piece of 1921, the dotted 1936 cent and 10-cent pieces, the 10-cent piece of 1889, the 50-cent piece of 1890 and the 10-cent piece of 1893, with a round-topped numeral 3.

Most of the 1921 strikings were never issued, instead being melted down after remaining in the vaults of the Mint for some time.

These coins are rare because the coinages of those years were very small, resulting in limited numbers being produced.

The most valuable coins are truly a sight to behold. Some of the rarest coins can sell for millions of dollars.

The 1933 Double Eagle is one of the most valuable coins in the world, with a price tag of over $7 million. It's a 20-dollar gold coin that was never circulated.

The 1804 Draped Bust dollar is another highly valuable coin, with a price of over $4 million. It's a rare example of a coin that was dated incorrectly.

The 1913 Liberty Head nickel is a highly valuable coin, with a price of over $3.7 million. It's one of only five known examples of this coin.

The 1807 Draped Bust dollar is a rare and valuable coin, with a price of over $1 million. It's a unique example of a coin that was minted in a limited quantity.

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Rare coins can be found in various countries, and Canada is no exception. The rarest Canadian decimal coins are the 50-cent piece of 1921, the 5-cent piece of 1921, the dotted 1936 cent and 10-cent pieces, the 10-cent piece of 1889, the 50-cent piece of 1890, and the 10-cent piece of 1893 with a round-topped numeral 3.

Most of the 1921 strikings were never issued, a fact that makes them even more valuable. These coins remained in the vaults of the Mint for some time before being melted down.

The dotted 1936 coinage was an extra issue from the 1936 dies to supply Canada's needs, pending the arrival of the 1937 dies. A hole was punched into the bottom of the reverse dies to produce the dot.

These coins are rare because the coinages of those years were very small.

Canadian coins have some fascinating variations that can make them more valuable or interesting. The 1947 Maple Leaf Cent is a great example, with its "tall 7" and "short 7" varieties on the silver $1 coin.

The 1¢ coin also has two notable varieties, "blunt 7" and "pointed 7", with the blunt 7 being scarcer and more valuable. The upper part of the 7 near the maple twig is slightly blunted compared to the pointed variety.

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The 50¢ coin has its own set of varieties, with curved left and right 7 numerals, and the curved right 7 is much more common than the curved left 7. The regular 1947 50¢ coins also came with left and right curved 7 numerals, but the curved right 7 in extremely high grade is highly valued.

The Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg produces over one billion circulation coins every year. This minting process is a vital part of Canadian currency production.

All Canadian coins are made in Manitoba, a testament to the province's industrial capabilities. The Winnipeg plant is the hub of Canadian coin production.

The one-dollar coin, affectionately known as the "loonie", features a common loon on one side. This design has become synonymous with Canadian currency.

The two-dollar coin, or "toonie", has a similar design to the loonie, with a different image on the other side. This coin is a staple in Canadian circulation.

The 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, and 50¢ coins are also in circulation, each with its own unique design.

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Canadian coins are not immune to errors and varieties, and understanding these can impact their value.

Errors and varieties on Canadian coins can add significant value to a collector's stash.

A deteriorated die, for instance, can result in a coin with a worn or blurry design, which may be recognized by collectors and certification companies.

Die clashes, where the dies don't align properly, can also create unique varieties.

Double dies, where the same die is used twice, can produce coins with duplicated or mismatched designs.

These errors and varieties are taken into account when determining a coin's value, which is based on market trends, auctions, and recognized books and catalogs.

The Newfoundland Two Dollar Coin is a rare and valuable find, especially if it's in good condition. These coins were minted before the province joined Canada, making them a key date.

Most Newfoundland Two Dollar Coins will be in a low circulated grade, but if you're lucky, you might find one graded About Uncirculated. This can make a big difference in its value.

These old coins can fetch as much as $400 in lower circulated grades. However, if you find one in higher grade, it can be worth even more, up to $1,200.

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The Royal Visit Commemorative Dollar was struck in 1939 for the royal visit to Canada. This special coin was part of a series that marked significant events in Canadian history.

Commemorative dollars were also issued in 1949 to celebrate the entry of Newfoundland into Confederation. This marked a significant milestone in Canadian history.

In 1967, a special coinage was issued to commemorate the centenary of Confederation. Each coin featured a unique design, including a dove in flight on the 1-cent piece and a Canada goose in flight on the dollar.

Special sets of sterling silver $5 and $10 pieces were struck from 1973 to 1976 to commemorate the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. The gold $100 piece, struck in 1976, was the first of a beautiful series of gold coins struck annually for sale to collectors.

From 1985 to 1987, a series of 10 sterling silver $20 pieces was struck to commemorate the 1988 Winter Olympic Games held in Calgary.

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Special Edition coins are a unique and fascinating aspect of Canadian numismatics. Many of these coins have been struck to commemorate special events and anniversaries.

In 1967, a special coinage was issued to commemorate the centenary of Confederation. Each coin featured a different animal, such as a dove, hare, mackerel, bobcat, howling wolf, and Canada goose.

Commemorative dollars have been struck in 50% silver since 1971, with each year featuring a special event or anniversary. These coins are sold in individual cases.

The 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal inspired a series of sterling silver $5 and $10 pieces, as well as a gold $100 piece. This was the first of a beautiful series of gold coins struck annually for sale to collectors.

From 1985 to 1987, a series of 10 sterling silver $20 pieces was struck to commemorate the 1988 Winter Olympic Games held in Calgary.

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The Platinum Maple Leaf is a highly sought-after coin, and it's no wonder why - it can fetch more than $1,000 at auctions.

This coin is part of the Mint's flagship program, the Maple Leaf series, which also includes Gold and Silver Maple Leaf coins.

The Mint can afford to produce only a few Platinum Maple Leaf coins because platinum is difficult to find and mine.

The Platinum Maple Leaf was consistently struck from 1988 to 2002, but production halted between 2003 and 2008.

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