1956 – 1 Cent Canada

The 1956 Canadian 1 cent coin features the first effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, designed by Mary Gillick, showing the young queen with a laurel wreath and the Latin inscription “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA” (Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen). On the reverse, designed by G. E. Kruger-Gray, are two iconic maple leaves on a single twig, with the denomination “1 CENT”, the year “1956”, and “CANADA” inscribed. Made of 98% copper, 0.5% tin, and 1.5% zinc, the coin weighs 3.24 grams, has a diameter of 19.05 mm, and a smooth plain edge; over 78 million of these coins were minted by the Royal Canadian Mint that year for everyday circulation. The coin remains non-magnetic, with its numismatic value often higher than its melt value due to historic and collectible interest.