1953 – 1 Cent Canada – NSF

The 1953 Canadian 1 cent coin, known as the “NSF” (No Shoulder Fold) variety, features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a laurel wreath, designed by Mary Gillick on the obverse, and two maple leaves on a twig by G. E. Kruger-Gray on the reverse. This coin is made primarily of bronze, composed of 98% copper, 0.5% tin, and 1.5% zinc, weighs 3.24 grams, and measures 19.05 mm in diameter with a plain edge. The “NSF” refers to a variety where the shoulder fold in the Queen’s portrait is not visible due to die polishing, distinguishing it from the “SF” (Shoulder Fold) variety. It was minted by the Royal Canadian Mint with a circulation mintage of around 67.8 million. The coin’s melt value is about 3.5 cents CAD, but collector values vary depending on condition and specific varieties. Its obverse inscription reads “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA,” and the reverse reads “1 CENT 1953 CANADA”.