Commemorative coins of Canada

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Canada has issued many commemorative coins into circulation, temporarily replacing current coinage designs.

1 1967 Coins
2 Nickel
3 Dime
4 Quarter
- 4.1 Quarter series
5 50 cent piece
6 Loonie
7 Toonie
8 External links

[edit] 1967 Coins

In the year 1967, Canada issued special coins for each denomination (except for the Loonie and toonie coins, as they did not exist at the time), which were all designed by Alex Colville. The penny featured a dove, the nickel featured a rabbit, the dime had a mackerel, the quarter had a cougar, the 50 cent piece featured a wolf, and the silver dollar had a flying goose.

[edit] Nickel

A special nickel was issued to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the discovery of nickel. The coin features a hill with a smokestack in the middle.
The 2005 nickel featured a "V" for victory, with a torch centered in it. It was used to commemorate the 60 year anniversary of the winning of World War II.

[edit] Dime

In 2001, a dime honouring Canadian volunteers was issued. It depicts a sun at the bottom, and the faces of three people at the top.

[edit] Quarter

The quarter is by far the most changed circulation coin in Canada. The 1973 quarter featured a mounted RCMP officer. It honoured the RCMP for 100 years of service.
During the year 2004, two separate commemorative quarters were minted. One depicted a sailboat, which was to represent the 400th anniversary of Acadia. The other was a quarter featuring a coloured poppy in the middle. If rubbed constantly, the colour will come off the quarter. This quarter symbolizes Remembrance Day.
The following year, another three commemorative quarters were issued, this time celebrating the 100th anniversary of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Alberta quarter depicts an oil rig, while the Saskatchewan quarter shows a hummingbird. The third coin was for the Veterans from the World Wars. In 2006, a new quarter with a breast cancer design was brought into circulation. It features a pink ribbon on the front.

[edit] Quarter series

To celebrate Canada's 125th anniversary in 1992, 12 different quarters were put into circulation, one for each province, and one each for the territories of Yukon and Northwest Territories. There was no coin issued for the territory of Nunavut, as it did not exist until 1999.
In the year 1999, 12 quarters were issued, one for each month, that were to celebrate the coming millennium. Each of the 12 coins depicted a theme from the previous millennium, and was named after the month it stood for.
The following year, in 2000, 12 quarters were issued, again one for each month, that were to celebrate the new millennium. Each of the 12 quarters showed a theme from this millennium, and was named after the theme.

[edit] 50 cent piece

In 2002, a special 50 cent piece was put into circulation. The reverse of the coin shows the coat of arms of Canada, as usual, however the obverse features a unique picture of Queen Elizabeth II. This coin celebrates the 50 years the queen has been in reign.

[edit] Loonie

Along with the 1992 quarters, there was also a commemorative loonie for that year. The coin features people in front of the parliament building. One of them is holding a Canadian flag.
The 1994 loonies featured a cenotaph.
In 1995, the Royal Canadian Mint issued a loonie depicting three peacekeepers.
A "lucky loonie" was minted in 2004 to celebrate Canada's athletes. It featured the regular loon, however the Canadian Olympic logo was above it.
A second lucky loonie was issued for the 2006 Winter Games. This one featured a flying loon, also with the Canadian Olympic logo above it.

[edit] Toonie

Since the toonie was introduced in 1996, it has featured special designs twice. The first was in 1999, when it celebrated the creation of Nunavut.
The second, in the year 2000, celebrated knowledge. Instead of just the regular polar bear, polar bear cubs are included.