Symbols of a Reign: Queen Elizabeth Canada Coin and Beyond

In 2022, the world mourned the loss of one of its greatest and most influential political figures, i.e., Queen Elizabeth II. This was a person who had been a head of multiple countries, including Commonwealth realms with Canada being one of the most notable (apart from the UK, for sure). To commemorate the impact of the monarch and capture every moment in history, each region regularly issued a coin to pay tribute to its queen.

Canada is known for its well-developed coinage, which is why instances released under the Canadian flag are particularly interesting for coin collectors and enthusiasts who follow the paths of the Crown. So, what do Canadian Elizabeth II coins generally look like? How valuable may these creations be, and which coin identifier should be used in numismatic explorations? 

Why Canada? Why Queen Elizabeth? 

First, for those unaware of politically charged peculiarities, it is essential to be familiar with the outline of their history. Although Canada is an independent, autonomous country, it has a special place in the Commonwealth, i.e., a union of nations that once had been in the British Empire. Being the British monarch with the longest reign in history, Queen Elizabeth II was a significant figure even in Canada (as she had always been about stability, protocols, and traditions).

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, Canada's national identity witnessed major changes, including constitutional amendments and growing international recognition. Her depiction on Canadian coins was a logical outcome of this British-Canadian union, as well as their legacy and colonial heritage together. 

In this sense, not only do Canada coins Queen Elizabeth serve as markers of Canadian history but these also represent the symbols of a reign, which most representatives of society respect and perpetuate even today.

If you wish to learn more about coins that also refer to powerful figures and periods in history, please feel free to explore the 1942 United States Half Dollar, a coin of war and a symbol of change.

Evolution of Coinage Featuring Queen Elizabeth II

As obvious as it gets, the development of Canadian coinage featuring the profile of Queen Elizabeth II clearly reflects the stages of her reign and the changing aesthetics of the eras. Then, there arises a question: what was the appearance of the Canada Elizabeth coin during the main phases:

1. The First Effigy (1953) 

Soon after the coronation, in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II's image appeared on Canadian currency for the first time. In this young portrait created by British artist Mary Gillick, the Queen wore a laurel wreath, which could allude to the classical fashion of ancient Roman emperors. 

2. The Second Effigy (1965)

Queen Elizabeth II grew older, and so did the picture on coins. Gillick's portrait was replaced in 1965 by a new one created by Arnold Machin where the Queen was portrayed with her grace and composure. This design was widely utilized in Commonwealth countries and was widely employed until the 1980s.

3. The Third Effigy (1990) 

The portrait painted by Dora de Pédery-Hunt became the third depiction of the queen presented via coins. For the first time, it was a Canadian artist who was commissioned to design the Queen's effigy for the country's currency at that time. The Queen in her middle years was depicted more realistically than ever, with more nuance in her facial characteristics and power in her state. 

4. The Fourth Effigy (2003)

Susanna Blunt was responsible for a more sophisticated image of the Queen for Canadian coins in 2003. The subtle distinction in this design was that Queen Elizabeth II was not wearing a crown, which was intended to give her a more casual, down-to-earth appearance as a cherished, enduring monarch.

5. End of an Era (2022-...)

Since her death in 2022, Queen Elizabeth's presence in Canadian currency has come to an end. Historians and collectors see these coin endeavors as an exceptional numismatic legacy, which encompasses several artistic interpretations and decades. Future designs, though, switched to King Charles III, which are also traded in combination with older Queen Elizabeth II Canada coin, too. 

General Description of the Coin’s Appearance

Although each iteration dictated its own features, there is a general and consistent design pattern used for the Canadian coins of Queen Elizabeth II. Since she acceded to the throne, Queen Elizabeth II's portrait has been traditionally put on the obverse of Canadian coins. While the design of the portraits varies, they always highlight the Queen's profile and typically contain an inscription “ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA”, which means "Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen" in Latin.

The reverse side of these numismatic instances usually includes recognizable national symbols or designs that represent the country's identity and culture. Among the most distinguishable components are:

• Maple Leaf: One of Canada's most recognizable national symbols that was featured on the reverse of lower denominations including the penny (before its discontinuation).

• Beaver: Another significant national symbol associated with Canada's fur trade past, regularly featured on the 5-cent coin.

• Bluenose Schooner:  The well-known Canadian sailing vessel Bluenose, which represents nautical heritage and appears on the 10-cent denomination.

• Caribou: An emblem of Canada's wilderness and animals, featured on the 25-cent coin.

• Loon: A picture of a common loon on the water on the $1 coin which symbolizes the beautiful scenery of Canada.

• Polar Bear: A powerful symbol of Canada's Arctic area featured on the $2 coin.

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What’s Next? Coins Devoted to King Charles III

King Charles III took the monarch’s position not long ago, but the celebration of his ruling days already started. The next logical step in Canadian numismatics which is to follow the passing of Queen Elizabeth II comes down to the emergence of coins with King Charles III. It is always an important moment in the national cultural and economic sectors, as it has been a long-lasting tradition to depict a ruling monarch on its currency. 

Educational moment: As a rule, every new monarch faces in the opposite direction of their predecessors, and King Charles III will probably be depicted looking left, in contrast to the Canadian coin Queen Elizabeth II’s right-facing profile.

During the transitional period, which might take months, coins with Queen Elizabeth II will continue to be in circulation until new currency designs are formally introduced. When King Charles III's effigy is finally prepared, Queen Elizabeth II's image will gradually give way to his depiction on all Canadian currency denominations.

Since the Queen's image has been an essential component of Canadian culture for many decades, this change is both significant and eagerly anticipated. In addition to keeping the Canada Queen Elizabeth coins, which are expected to increase in collecting value over time, collectors can also focus on obtaining early copies of King Charles's effigy for their collections to be diverse and full of memories.

Coins of current and already-gone monarchs represent a precious part of any collection. It is always about commemoration, respect, and history, so make sure your collection incorporates such instances for you to preserve imperishable relics and pass them to the next generations when the time comes.