The Dominion of Canada was formed in 1867. Prior to this, the Province of Canada had issued one-cent coins in 1858-59. About 10 million coins were produced, which turned out to be far more than were required at the time. The new government inherited the coins in 1867, and issued them as Dominion currency. By 1876, new one-cent coins were required for circulation. Many minor varieties exist in both the portrait of the Queen and the size of the leaves on the reverse. 1876-1901 Coins struck in 0.95 copper, 0.04 tin, 0.01 zinc. Weight 5.67 grams; diameter 25.4 mm. Obverse depicts Queen Victoria. 1902-1910 Obverse depicts King Edward VII. 1911 The obverse for 1911 omitted the Latin words "DEI GRATIA" meaning "by the grace of God". Public criticism lead to the abbreviation "DEI GRA:" being added in 1912. 1912-1920 The composition of the coin changed in 1919, to 0.955 copper, 0.3 tin, 0.015 zinc. Not enough to warrant a type change. 1920-1936 In 1920 the cent was changed dramatically to 19.05 mm diameter, and 3.24 grams weight, very close to the American cent. Note that there is a 1936 cent with a tiny dot below the date. The dot was punched into the die to denote striking in 1937. 1937-1947 Obverse depicts King George VI. Coins of 1942-1952 were struck in 0.98 copper, 0.05 tin, 0.15 zinc. Some 1947 coins have a tiny maple leaf beside the date, to denote their striking in 1948. 1948-1952 The obverse legend was substantially changed, due to the independence of India. 1953-1964 Obverse depicts Queen Elizabeth II. Shortly after the release of the 1953 coins, the obverse design of the Queen was modified. Some details on the portrait were strengthened, and the legend lettering were made slightly less pointy. I do not consider this a major type change. 1965-1966, 1968-1978 New portrait of the Queen. 1967 The reverse designs of all Canadian coins were changed for 1967 to celebrate 100 years since Confederation. The cent depicts a rock dove. 1979 The portrait of the Queen was changed on the 1c, 5c, 10c, and 25c coins, to make the size of the portrait proportional to the diameter of the coin on all denominations. 1980-1981 For 1980, the cent was made thinner, to cut costs by using less copper. The weight shrunk from 3.24 grams to 2.8 grams; diameter is now 19 mm. 1982-1989 Three changes for 1982: from round to 12-sided (diameter 19.1 mm), rim denticles changed to beads, and weight reduced from 2.8 grams to 2.5. 1990-1996 1990 brought a new portrait design to all of Canada's coins. The 1992 coin includes a double date: "1867-1992". 1997-2003 The 1997 cent looks identicle to the 1996 cent. The difference is the metal composition, which changed from 98% copper to copper-plated zinc. The 2002 cent moved the date to the obverse, with a dual-date: "1952-2002". For 2002-2003, some cents are copper-plated zinc, and some are copper- and nickel-plated steel. Weight is 2.25 grams. 2003- New portrait of the Queen. These coins are copper-plated zinc. Weight is 2.35 grams. Continue to Canadian five-cent coins. Return to Canadian Coins: Type Collecting main page.

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