Canadian 2-dollar coin · (1996-1998 and 2001-2003)
The polar bear (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 1990 to 2003. The iconic Polar Bear design on the reverse is the work of renowned wildlife artist Brent Townsend.
What a coin with this design is made of
Every 2-dollar coin carrying this design falls outside the years the Mint records a silver-bearing composition for. There is no silver in any of them, so there is no melt value to work out. What one of these is worth depends on condition and on the date, and this site does not publish figures for either.
Across the years the Mint reports for this design, 447,908,000 2-dollar coins were struck.
Denomination
Introduced in 1996, bimetallic from the start, and never struck in silver for circulation.
What these sell for
Completed sales, newest first, so you are looking at what buyers paid rather than what sellers are asking. Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, and it changes nothing on this page.
Every year of this design
| Year | Composition | Silver | Mintage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | outer ring 99% nickel, inner core 92% copper, 6% aluminum, 2% nickel | none | 375,483,000 |
| 1997 | outer ring 99% nickel, inner core 92% copper, 6% aluminum, 2% nickel | none | 16,942,000 |
| 1998 | outer ring 99% nickel, inner core 92% copper, 6% aluminum, 2% nickel | none | 5,309,000 |
| 2001 | outer ring 99% nickel, inner core 92% copper, 6% aluminum, 2% nickel | none | 11,910,000 |
| 2002 | outer ring 99% nickel, inner core 92% copper, 6% aluminum, 2% nickel | none | 27,020,000 |
| 2003 | outer ring 99% nickel, inner core 92% copper, 6% aluminum, 2% nickel | none | 11,244,000 |
Other 2 dollars reverses
The Founding of Nunavut (1999)
The Founding of Nunavut
Path of Knowledge (2000)
Path of Knowledge
Two new coins for the 10th Anniversary of the 2-dollar Circulation Coin (2006)
Two new coins for the 10th Anniversary of the 2-dollar Circulation Coin
400th Anniversary of the founding of Quebec City (2008)
400th Anniversary of the founding of Quebec City