6 denominations on record · Elizabeth II on the obverse

Canadian coins dated 1971

Nothing struck for circulation in 1971 contains any silver. Whatever a 1971 coin is worth, it is not worth it as metal.

Coins struck in 1971, all denominations

421,245,866

Across 6 of the 6 denominations on record for 1971. Nothing dated 1971 was struck in a silver-bearing alloy, so there is no melt figure for this year. Value here is a question about condition and scarcity, not about metal.

Every denomination dated 1971

CoinComposition in 1971WeightSilverMintageMagnet
1 cent penny98% copper, 0.5% tin, 1.5% zinc3.24 gnone298,228,936not attracted
5 cents nickel99.9% nickel4.54 gnone27,312,609attracted
10 cents dime99.9% nickel2.07 gnone41,106,968attracted
25 cents quarter99.9% nickel5.05 gnone48,170,428attracted
50 cents half dollar99% nickel (minimum)8.1 gnone2,166,144attracted
1 dollar99.9% nickel15.62 gnone4,260,781attracted

What was on the coins

1 cent

The maple leaf twig (round coin)

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.

5 cents

The beaver

The beaver design was created in 1937 by G.E. Kruger-Gray as part of a coin modernization effort.

10 cents

Bluenose

Emanuel Hahn's design depicts the Bluenose under sail.

25 cents

The caribou

Emanuel Hahn's caribou design was adopted in 1937 in an effort to modernize Canada's circulation coins.

50 cents

The modified Coat of Arms

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.

1 dollar

British Columbia's centennial

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.

Whose portrait is on it

A Canadian coin dated 1971 carries the effigy of Elizabeth II, used from 1965 to 1989.

This updated effigy of Queen Elizabeth II appeared with the inscription ELIZABETH II D G REGINA, a shortened form of the original.

Every portrait and the years it appeared

What 1971 coins sell for

Completed sales rather than a catalogue value, because we do not publish catalogue values.

1971 Canadian coins, sold

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.

Composition, weight and mintage for every coin above are reproduced from the Royal Canadian Mint’s published circulation coin record, retrieved 2026-09-04. Silver content is calculated from the published weight and fineness. Of the 6 denominations struck this year, 6 produced coins. Methodology.