62 designs across 7 denominations
The Bluenose, the caribou, the beaver, the voyageur and the loon are the images most people picture when they picture Canadian money, and each of them replaced something older. These are the reverse designs the Mint documents, with the years it says each one ran.
5 designs documented
1858 - 1920
This 1-cent coin features the design of L.C. Wyon of the Royal Mint. It portrays maple leaves wrapped around a vine. W.H.J. Blackmore designed this reverse of the 1-cent coin. The representation of maple leaves wrapped...
1920 - 1936
This design, created by Fred Lewis, coincided with a reduction in the 1-cent coin's diameter.
1937 - 1966, 1968 - 1981, 1997 - present
In 1937, as part of an effort to modernize Canada's coins, G.E. Kruger-Gray created the maple leaf twig design. His initials appear on the right.
1967
Alex Colville created a special set of coin designs to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation; the penny features a rock dove in flight.
1982 - 1996
The shape of the maple leaf twig was altered to make identification easier for the visually impaired. The coin reverted to the round design in 1997.
9 designs documented
1858 - 1921
The two crossed maple boughs appeared on all 5-cent coins from 1858 to 1921. These coins were nicknamed "fish scales" for their tiny size; their diameter is only 15.5 mm - smaller than the current dime!
1922 - 1936
W.H.J. Blackmore's redesign of the 5-cent coin coincided with the increase of the coin's diameter.
1937 - 1942, 1946 - 1950, 1952 - 1966, 1968 - present
The beaver design was created in 1937 by G.E. Kruger-Gray as part of a coin modernization effort.
1942 - 1963
5-cent coins were made of nickel from 1921 to 1942. However, nickel's importance in the production of war materials demanded the development of another metal for coinage. Tombac, a kind of brass, was chosen as the repl...
1943 - 1945
Thomas Shingles created and engraved this design intended to stimulate the war effort. The message "We Win When We Work Willingly" is engraved in Morse code on the rim of the coin.
1951
In 1751, Swedish scientist A.F. Cronstedt successfully identified and named nickel. Canada, the world's largest nickel producer at the time, commemorated the discovery with Stephen Trenka's design depicting a nickel re...
1967
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Confederation, Alex Colville created a special set of designs for all coin denominations. The 5-cent coin features a hopping hare.
2005
The 2005 Victory Anniversary Nickel honours the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. This special circulation coin is a representation of the 5-cent coin created in 1943 to promote the Canadian war effo...
2017
My Canada, My Inspiration: Living Traditions 2017 150th anniversary of Confederation Living Traditions by Gerald Gloade, one of five winners of the My Canada, My Inspiration contest.
5 designs documented
1858 - 1936
The design of two crossed maple boughs appear on all 10-cent, 25-cent, and 50-cent coins from 1858 to 1936.
1937 - 1966, 1968 - present
Emanuel Hahn's design depicts the Bluenose under sail.
1967
Alex Colville created a special set of coin designs to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation; the 10-cent coin features a mackerel.
2001
This coin was issued in honour of the United Nations' International Year of the Volunteer and pays tribute to the millions of Canadians who help those in need.
2017
Part of the My Canada, My Inspiration 2017 collection, designed by Amy Choi. One continuous flow of lines sketches out a dynamic, iconic maple leaf that is clutched in the beak and also part of the dove itself.
13 designs documented
1870 - 1936
The 25-cent coin was first issued in 1870. The coin used the same design of two crossed maple boughs that appeared on the 10-cent coins and 50-cent coins from 1858 to 1936.
1937 - 1972, 1974 - 1991, 1993 - 1998, 2001-2008 and 2001-present
Emanuel Hahn's caribou design was adopted in 1937 in an effort to modernize Canada's circulation coins.
1967 The centennial 25-cent coin
Alex Colville created a special set of coin designs to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canadian confederation; the 25-cent coin features a bobcat.
1973
Paul Cederberg designed this coin to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
1992
Designed by Canadians chosen in a national contest, these 25-cent coins were issued bearing a design to represent each province and territory. 1992 125th Anniversary of Confederation - Yukon 1992 125th Anniversary of C...
1999 Millenium Collection
Poised on the edge of the new millennium, the 'Create a Centsation!' contest received 33,000 design submissions from Canadians for the two series of 25-cent Millennium circulation coins. The 1999 series commemorated th...
2000 Millenium Collection
Poised on the edge of the new millennium, the 'Create a Centsation!' contest received 33,000 design submissions from Canadians for the two series of 25-cent Millennium circulation coins. The 2000 series featured design...
2002
This coin celebrates Canada's 135th anniversary. The reverse was designed by Judith Chartier.
2004
400th anniversary of the first French settlement in North America.
2004
The 25-cent Poppy coin was the world's first coloured coin in circulation.
2005
Designed by Saskatchewan wildlife artist Paulette Sapergia, it features the Western Meadowlark whose unique and melodious song heralds the coming of spring to the prairies.
2005
Designed by artist Michelle Grant, it portrays the richness of the Alberta landscape - mountains in the distance, prairie fields, an old-style oil derrick and the wild rose.
2005
Designed by Elaine Goble, the design depicts two veterans of different generations, joined by love of country, standing side by side.
5 designs documented
1858 - 1936
The design of two crossed maple boughs appears on all 10-cent, 25-cent, and 50-cent coins from 1858 to 1936.
1937 - 1958
A simplified version of Canada's Coat of Arms was created in 1937 for the 50-cent coin as part of an initiative to modernize Canada's circulation coins.
1959 - 1966, 1968 - present
The Canadian Government approved a new Coat of Arms in 1957. In 1959 it appeared on the 50-cent coin, where it remains to this day.
1967
Alex Colville created a special set of coin designs to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canadian confederation; the 50-cent coin features a howling wolf.
1997 - present
In 1994, the motto of the Order of Canada was added to the Coat of Arms, which is the version of the coin produced today.
20 designs documented
1935 - 1938, 1940 - 1948, 1950 - 1957, 1959 - 1963, 1965 - 1966, 1968 - 1969, and 1975 - 1986
This design by Emanuel Hahn features a voyageur and his Indigenous guide travelling by canoe. The illustration has been modified only slightly over the years. | |
1939
This design by Emanuel Hahn commemorates the visit of His Majesty King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Ottawa. The Latin phrase "Fide Quorum Regnat" means "He reigns by the faith of his people."
1949
Thomas Shingles' design commemorates Newfoundland's status as a province of Canada. Pictured on the coin is the Matthew, the ship historians believe John Cabot was sailing when he landed in Newfoundland in 1497. Below...
1958
Stephen Trenka's representation of a mortuary pole with the Rocky Mountain backdrop marks the centenary of both the Cariboo Gold Rush and the creation of British Columbia as a colony of England.
1964
Thomas Shingles' design features the French fleur-de-lis, the Irish shamrock, the Scottish thistle, and the English rose. It commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec City meetings that led to...
1967
Alex Colville created a special set of coin designs to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation; the 1-dollar coin features a Canada goose.
1970
Raymond Taylor's prairie crocus design commemorates the centennial of Manitoba joining Confederation.
1971
Thomas Shingles' design commemorates the centennial of British Columbia's joining Confederation. The coin features British Columbia's coat of arms and its provincial flower, the dogwood.
1973
Walter Ott's rendering of P.E.I.'s Provincial Legislature building commemorates the centennial of the province's accession to Canada.
1974
Patrick Brindley created this design from a drawing by Paul Pederson to commemorate Winnipeg's centennial anniversary. Inside the two zeroes of '"00" are images of Winnipeg's Main street in 1874 (left) and 1974 (right).
1982
This design features the famous painting of the Fathers of Confederation along with the inscriptions "Confederation 1867" and "Constitution 1982."
1984
Hector Greville's design of Jacques Cartier and a cross with the French coat of arms commemorates the 450th anniversary of the explorer's landing on the Gaspé Peninsula.
1987 - 1991, 1993 - present
The 1-dollar bill was replaced in 1987 by a new eleven-sided circulation coin nicknamed the 'Loonie'. Robert-Ralph Carmichael's popular design features a Canadian loon, and is made of aureate bronze.
1992
Rita Swanson's design features three children with a Canadian flag on Parliament Hill in commemoration of Canada's 125th birthday. Note the clock on the Peace Tower reads 1:25.
1994
A representation of the National War Memorial in Ottawa honours the contribution and sacrifice made by Canadian soldiers in both World Wars and the Korean War.
1995
This coin commemorates the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, and pays tribute to the Canadians who have served as UN peacekeepers. It features an image of the Peacekeeping Monument in Ottawa.
2004
The 2004 Lucky Loonie features the common loon design accompanied by the Canadian Olympic logo.
2005
The Terry Fox coin commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the Marathon of Hope. This coin was designed by Stan Witten.
2006
This coin, which features the familiar loon in flight along with the official emblem of the Canadian Olympic Team, serves as a good luck charm for Canadian athletes served at the 2006 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
2008
The 2008 Lucky Loonie features a common Loon getting ready to take flight with the Canadian Olympic Team's logo at its side. The Mint provided each member of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Teams competing in Beiji...
5 designs documented
(1996-1998 and 2001-2003)
When introduced in 1996, the 2-dollar circulation coin showed a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Canadian artist Dora de Pedery-Hunt. This image of Her Majesty appeared on all Canadian circulation coins from...
The Founding of Nunavut (1999)
Nunavut First Nations artist Germaine Arnaktauyok created a special design to commemorate the founding of Nunavut, Canada's newest territory. This design appeared on all 1999 2-dollar coins produced for general circula...
Path of Knowledge (2000)
For the new millennium, artist Tony Bianco illustrated a female polar bear and her two cubs to represent the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next. The inscription on the coin's outer rim reads "Knowled...
Two new coins for the 10th Anniversary of the 2-dollar Circulation Coin (2006)
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of its introduction, the 2-dollar circulation coin was produced in two versions: the first honouring the traditional Polar Bear design of artist Tony Bianco and the second featuri...
400th Anniversary of the founding of Quebec City (2008)
Quebec artist Geneviève Bertrand won a design competition to create a new reverse of the 2-dollar circulation coin commemorating the 400th anniversary of Quebec City. The date 1608 appeared on the left side of the oute...