7 denominations on record · Elizabeth II on the obverse
Canadian coins dated 1997
Nothing struck for circulation in 1997 contains any silver. Whatever a 1997 coin is worth, it is not worth it as metal.
Coins struck in 1997, all denominations
637,677,000Across 5 of the 7 denominations on record for 1997. Nothing dated 1997 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 1997
| Coin | Composition in 1997 | Weight | Silver | Mintage | Magnet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cent penny | 98.4% zinc, 1.6% copper plating | 2.25 g | none | 549,868,000 | not attracted |
| 5 cents nickel | 75% copper, 25% nickel | 4.6 g | none | 27,354,000 | not stated |
| 10 cents dime | 99.9% nickel | 2.07 g | none | 43,126,000 | attracted |
| 25 cents quarter | 99.9% nickel | 5.05 g | none | none struck | attracted |
| 50 cents half dollar | 99% nickel (minimum) | 8.1 g | none | 387,000 | attracted |
| 1 dollar | 91.5% nickel, 8.5% bronze plating | 7 g | none | none struck | attracted |
| 2 dollars toonie | outer ring 99% nickel, inner core 92% copper, 6% aluminum, 2% nickel | 7.3 g | none | 16,942,000 | not stated |
Struck none in 1997
The Mint reports a mintage of zero in 1997 for 25 cents, 1 dollar. A coin carrying this date in one of those denominations should not exist, and is far more likely to be a worn example of a neighbouring year.
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 design was created in 1937 by G.E. Kruger-Gray as part of a coin modernization effort.
25 cents
Emanuel Hahn's caribou design was adopted in 1937 in an effort to modernize Canada's circulation coins.
50 cents
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.
50 cents
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.
1 dollar
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.
2 dollars
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.
Whose portrait is on it
A Canadian coin dated 1997 carries the effigy of Elizabeth II, used from 1990 to 2002.
A new effigy of Queen Elizabeth II was unveiled in 1990 when she was 64 years old. This was the first to be designed by a Canadian, Dora de Pédery-Hunt, and the coin kept the ELIZABETH II D G REGINA inscription.
What 1997 coins sell for
Completed sales rather than a catalogue value, because we do not publish catalogue values.
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.