Canada, 1 Cent, 1997 – Elizabeth II (Third Portrait), XF

The 1997 Canadian 1 Cent marks a significant transition in Canadian coinage history. This was the first year that Canada’s penny was made from copper-plated zinc, replacing the traditional high-copper bronze composition used since 1867. While the classic maple twig reverse design remained unchanged, this shift represented an important cost-cutting measure for the Royal Canadian Mint.

Obverse (Front)

The obverse features:

• A right-facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, at age 64, wearing a royal diadem, necklace, and earrings.
• The inscription "ELIZABETH II D·G·REGINA" (Latin for "Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God").
• The portrait was designed by Dora de Pédery-Hunt, making it the first effigy of the Queen created by a Canadian artist.

Reverse (Back)

The reverse showcases a maple twig with two leaves, a long-standing symbol of Canada. The inscriptions include:

• "1 CENT" at the top,
• "CANADA" at the bottom,
• The year 1997 positioned to the left of the maple twig,
• The engraver’s initials K·G· (George Kruger Gray) to the right.

Specifications

• Composition: Copper-Plated Zinc (98.4% Zinc, 1.6% Copper Plating) (First Year)
• Weight: 2.25 grams
• Diameter: 19.05 mm
• Thickness: 1.45 mm
• Shape: Round
• Edge: Plain
• Mint: Royal Canadian Mint (Ottawa & Winnipeg)
• KM#289

Why Collect the 1997 Canada 1 Cent?

The 1997 Canadian Penny is a key transitional issue, marking the first year of copper-plated zinc composition. As the beginning of a new era in Canadian coinage, it is highly sought after by collectors and numismatists.