A dollar coin was proposed for 1911, and trial strikings were made. Two silver and one lead pattern/trial are known to exist, and have become Canada's highest priced numismatic items. 1935 The first circulating dollar is also the first commemorative, marking the 25th anniversary of the accession of King George V. Coins struck in 0.8 silver; weight 23.33 grams; diameter 36 mm. 1936 The reverse remains the same, but the obverse portrait was created by a different artist. Also, the legend is changed to the same words used on smaller coins. Interestingly, this obverse is identical to that used for the 1911 pattern dollars. Owning a 1936 dollar coin is like holding a very valuable 1911 dollar in your hand! 1937-1938,1945-1947 Obverse depicts King George VI. 1939 Reverse commemorates the royal visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939. 1948,1950-1952 Obverse legend modified omitting "ET IND: IMP:". 1949 Reverse depicts the ship Matthew, the ship in which John Cabot is believed to have discovered Newfoundland in 1497. The coin commemorates the entry of Newfoundland into Canada. 1953-1957,1959-1963 Obverse depicts Queen Elizabeth II. 1958 Reverse commemorates the 100th anniversary of establishment of British Columbia as a crown colony. 1964 Reverse commemorates the 100th anniversary of the meetings in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, leading to Confederation. 1965-1966 Obverse depicts a new portrait of the Queen. 1967 The reverse designs of all Canadian coins were changed for 1967 to celebrate 100 years since Confederation. The dollar depicts a Canada goose. 1968-1969,1972,1975-1976 Coins struck in pure nickel; weight 15.62 grams; diameter 32.13 mm. 1970 Reverse depicts a prairie crocus, and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the entry of Manitoba into Canada. 1971 Reverse depicts the coat of arms of British Columbia and dogwood blossoms, and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the entry of the province into Canada. 1973 Reverse depicts the legislature building of Prince Edward Island, and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the entry of the province into Canada. The obverse is slightly different from previous years, with a smaller portrait, and fewer rim beads farther from the rim. 1974 Reverse commemorates the 100th anniversary of the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. 1977 The reverse is a major alteration of the 1976 canoe design. Rim denticles are replaced by beads. Lettering is smaller and farther from the rim. 1978-1986 Another change to the regular dollar coin. The obverse returns to a portrait similar to that used in 1968-1972, but with lettering and beads similar to 1973-1977; the reverse appears close to the 1976 design, but with the distinctive raised lines in the sky like the 1977 issue. 1982 Reverse commemorates the new Canadian Constitution. 1984 Reverse commemorates the 450th anniversary of the landing of Jacques Cartier at Gaspe, Quebec. 1987-1989 Due to the rising costs of producing one dollar bank notes, and the fact that the large nickel dollar did not actually circulate, a smaller dollar was introduced, and the dollar note was withdrawn. The new dollar is smaller, lighter, eleven-sided, and a distinctive color. Coins struck in 0.915 nickel, 0.085 bronze; weight 7 grams; diameter 26.72 mm. Starting 1988, the diameter is 26.5 mm. 1990-1996,2002 Obverse depicts a new portrait of the Queen. The 2002 coin has "1952-2002" on obverse. 1992 125th Anniversary or Confederation, reverse depicts the center block of the Parliament Buildings. 1994 The reverse depicts the National War Memorial in Ottawa. 1995 The reverse depicts the Peacekeeping Monument in Ottawa. 2003- New portrait of the Queen. 2004 Reverse includes Olympic rings and Canadian torch logo. 2005 Reverse honors Terry Fox, amputee runner for cancer fund-raising. 2006 Reverse depicts a flying loon, with Olympic rings and Canadian torch logo. Continue to Canadian two-dollar coins. Return to Canadian Coins: Type Collecting main page.

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