1870-1901 Obverse depicts Queen Victoria. Coins struck in 0.925 silver; weight 11.62 grams; diameter 29.72 mm. 1902-1910 Obverse depicts King Edward VII. Beginning in 1908, Canada's coins were stuck at the branch mint in Ottawa. The die axis of the 5-cent piece changed from "coin" to "medal". The reverse wreath was redesigned in 1910, but differences are very minor. 1911 Obverse depicts King George V. 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. 1912-1936 The composition changed between 1919 and 1920, from 0.925 silver to 0.8. I don't consider this enough of a change for calling them separate types. If the change was done partway through the year, you wouldn't have been able to tell them apart. Canada's great circulated coin rarity is the 1921 issue. Of the original 206,398 minted, only about 75 survived the melt of unissued examples in 1929. 1937-1947 Obverse depicts King George VI. 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. 1953-1958 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. For 1955, the reverse design was made slightly smaller, about 1 millimeter vertically and horizontally. I do not consider this a major type change. 1959-1964 New coat of arms. For 1960, the background of the bottom triangular panel of the shield changed from horizontal lines (indicating blue color), to solid (indicating white). 1965-1966 New obverse portrait of the Queen. 1967 The reverse designs of all Canadian coins were changed for 1967 to celebrate 100 years since Confederation. The 50-cent coin depicts a howling wolf. 1968-1976,1978-1989 Coins struck in pure nickel; weight 8.1 grams; diameter 27.13 mm. The 1978-89 reverse is not identical to the 1968-76 (or 1977) design, but is very close. The obverse is also not identical to either previous design. The Queen's portait and rim beading is from the 1976 coin, but the legend lettering is from the 1977 coin. Decide for yourself if 1978-89 should be considered a distinct type. 1977 Smaller design of Queen, smaller coat-of-arms, beads instead of denticles. 1990-1992 New portrait of the Queen. The 1992 coin emplys a double-date: "1867 1992". 1993-1996 Rim denticles replaced by beads on reverse. 1997-2000 Yet another new design for coat of arms, distinctly different from the previous design. 2001- Composition changed from pure nickel to 0.9325 steel, plated with copper and nickel; weight 6.9 grams. The 2002 coin has the double date "1952 2002" moved to the obverse. 2002 50th anniversary of the Queen's ascension to the throne. Continue to Canadian one-dollar coins. Return to Canadian Coins: Type Collecting main page.

Other web pages of interest: Australia Coins: Type Collecting Ireland Coins: Type Collecting Irish Free State Coins: Type Collecting United Mexican States Coins: Type Collecting New Zealand Coins: Type Collecting Swedish Coins: Type Collecting United Kingdom Coins: Type Collecting United States Coins: Type Collecting Chronology of Canadian Coins Chronology of Canadian NCLT Coins Chronology of World History Ken P's Today in History What's notable about the year XXXX for Canadian coin collectors? Ken P's Coin/Stamp/Bill Novelties - Canada