1998 – 1 Cent Canada

The 1998 Canadian 1-cent coin is a copper-plated zinc coin minted by the Royal Canadian Mint with a circulation of about 999.6 million pieces. It features on its obverse side the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a circular diamond crown decorated with roses, shamrocks, and thistles, designed by Dora de Pédery-Hunt. The reverse side displays two maple leaves on the same twig, a design created by G. E. Kruger-Gray that has been a consistent symbol on the penny since 1937. The coin weighs 2.25 grams, has a diameter of 19.05 mm, a plain edge, and a thickness of 1.45 mm. Released during the later years of copper-plated pennies before the transition to other materials, the 1998 cent is notable as one of the last of the traditional copper-style pennies, and while it is not rare due to the high mintage, uncirculated or error varieties can have increased collector value. The coin’s obverse inscription reads “ELIZABETH II D – G – REGINA,” with the reverse stating “1 CENT 1998 CANADA”.