2003 – 1 Cent Canada – New Effigy – P

The Canadian 1-cent coin from 2003 with the “New Effigy – P” features the updated portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by artist Susanna Blunt, introduced in 2003, which presents Her Majesty without a crown to reflect a more modern and approachable image. The reverse continues to display the classic maple leaf twig design by George Kruger-Gray, used consistently on the penny since 1937. The coin is struck in copper-plated steel and marked with a small “P” below the portrait, indicating the use of Plated steel composition introduced by the Royal Canadian Mint to reduce production costs. It represents both a tradition of Canadian iconography and a transition to modern minting techniques.