The 2011 Canadian 1 Cent is the penultimate issue in the history of the Canadian penny, as the Royal Canadian Mint officially ceased production in 2012. This coin features the fourth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, along with the RCM (Royal Canadian Mint) logo below the Queen’s bust. Like other issues from 2006 onward, this penny 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 2011 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 2011 Canada 1 Cent?
The 2011 Canadian Penny is the second-to-last year of production, making it a key modern collectible. As part of the final series before discontinuation in 2012, it holds historical importance for numismatists and coin collectors.
