1980 – 1 Cent Canada

The Canadian 1 cent coin from 1980 features the profile of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, depicted at age 39 and wearing the ‘Girls of Great Britain and Ireland’ tiara, with the legend “ELIZABETH II D·G·REGINA” surrounding her image. On the reverse, the coin showcases two iconic maple leaves on a single twig—an enduring symbol of Canadian identity—designed by George Kruger-Gray and used since 1937, alongside the denomination and the year “1980”. The coin is made of 98% copper, 0.5% tin, and 1.5% zinc, weighs 2.82g, and has a diameter of 19mm. In 1980, the coin was notably thinner and lighter than its 1979 predecessor, reflecting adjustments in composition and manufacturing.