1991 – 1 Cent Canada

The 1991 Canadian 1-cent coin features the classic design of two maple leaves on the same twig, a design created by George Edward Kruger-Gray first used in 1937 and retained with few changes since. The obverse shows a right-facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Dora de Pédery-Hunt, depicting the Queen at age 64, surrounded by the inscription “ELIZABETH II D·G·REGINA.” This coin is composed of 98% copper, 0.5% tin, and 1.5% zinc, weighs 2.5 grams, has a diameter of 19.1 mm, and a smooth edge. It circulated widely in Canada as an everyday monetary unit and remained a symbol of Canadian heritage embodied by the iconic maple leaf. The coin was minted by the Royal Canadian Mint with a mintage of over 831 million circulation pieces, making it common, but collectors prize uncirculated or mint condition examples, as well as any varieties or error coins from this edition.