The 2009 Canadian 1 Cent is part of the final years of the Canadian penny, as the Royal Canadian Mint continued its preparations for the denomination’s discontinuation in 2012. It features the fourth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, along with the RCM (Royal Canadian Mint) logo below the Queen’s bust. This penny, like other issues from 2006 onward, is made from copper-plated steel, making it magnetic.
Obverse (Front)
The obverse features:
- A right-facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, at age 77, without a crown, wearing a necklace and earrings.
- The inscription "ELIZABETH II D·G·REGINA" (Latin for "Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God").
- The RCM logo (a small maple leaf with a circular design) appears below the Queen’s bust.
- The portrait was designed by Susanna Blunt, with engraving by Susan Taylor.
Reverse (Back)
The reverse showcases a maple twig with two leaves, a signature Canadian emblem. The inscriptions include:
- "1 CENT" at the top,
- "CANADA" at the bottom,
- The year 2009 positioned to the left of the maple twig,
- The engraver’s initials K·G· (George Kruger Gray) to the right.
Specifications
- Composition: Copper-Plated Steel (94% Steel, 4.5% Copper Plating, 1.5% Nickel)
- Weight: 2.35 grams
- Diameter: 19.05 mm
- Thickness: 1.45 mm
- Shape: Round
- Edge: Plain
- Mint: Royal Canadian Mint (Winnipeg)
- KM#490a
Why Collect the 2009 Canada 1 Cent?
The 2009 Canadian Penny is part of the final four years of cent production, making it historically significant. With its RCM logo, magnetic steel composition, and place in the transition toward discontinuation in 2012, it remains an interesting and collectible coin for numismatists.
