1959 – 1 Dollar Loonie Canada

The Canadian one dollar coin made in 1959 is a silver dollar featuring Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse with the Latin inscription “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA,” meaning “Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, the Queen.” The reverse depicts a design by sculptor Emanuel Hahn, which shows a voyageur and a First Nations man paddling a canoe with bundles of goods, symbolizing the fur trade, with an islet and northern lights in the background. This coin is composed of 80% silver and 20% copper, weighs 23.33 grams, and has a diameter of 36 mm with a reeded edge. It was minted by the Royal Canadian Mint and is known for being part of the circulation coins from 1935 to 1967 featuring the “Voyageur” design. While it was intended for circulation, today it holds numismatic value with prices varying according to condition, with uncirculated examples valued significantly higher than circulated ones.