1994 – 1 Dollar Loonie Canada

The 1994 Canadian 1 dollar coin, commonly known as the “Loonie,” is made of 91.5% nickel and 8.5% bronze, weighing 7 grams with a diameter of 26.72 mm and thickness of 1.75 mm. It features a plain smooth edge and a medal alignment orientation. The obverse displays a bust of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a circular diamond crown, designed by Dora de Pédery-Hunt. The reverse showcases a loon, a symbol of Canadian wilderness, designed by Robert Ralph Carmichael. There were two major varieties in 1994: the standard “Loon” design with a large mintage of over 40 million coins, and a commemorative “Memorial” edition featuring the National War Memorial instead of the loon, issued for 15 million coins. Both types are magnetic and intended for circulation, with the commemorative coin typically seen as a tribute to fallen soldiers. The coin maintained the tradition of the loon design while also marking a significant national symbol in the memorial edition, embodying Canadian heritage and identity.