1973 – 50 Cents Half Dollar Canada

The 1973 Canadian 50 cents coin, minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, is composed of nickel with a weight of 8.1 grams and a diameter of 27.13 mm. The obverse features a bust of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a tiara, designed by Arnold Machin, with the inscription “ELIZABETH II D – G – REGINA.” The reverse shows a stylized Canadian coat of arms, designed by Thomas Shingles, along with the inscriptions “1973 CANADA 50 CENTS.” The design also honors Canada’s four founding nations—England, Scotland, Ireland, and France—and includes the Latin phrases “A Mari usque ad Mare” (“from sea to sea”) and “Desiderantes meliorem patriam” (“they desire a better country”). The coin has a reeded edge and medal alignment orientation and was minted in a series that was common for circulation, with 2,546,096 pieces produced that year. Though functional as currency, these coins are less common in daily use now and are popular among collectors due to their intricate design and historic symbolism.​