Latest news and updates on Canadian numismatic - Coins, banknotes, tokens
July 25, 2024
1 cent 1858 to 1901 - Price guide and values
With the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867, the central government assumed responsibility for money and banking, as mandated under section 91 of the British North America Act, and it undertook to standardize the fledgling country's currency.
July 23, 2024
Several pictures of errors and varieties added - 1 dollar
Throughout the production process to create a coin, several issues can arise. When a coin shows an anomaly, it's either an error or a variety.
July 22, 2024
New Brunswick price guide and values
In 1860 New Brunswick passed an act requiring all accounts rendered to the government to be in dollars and cents. The 5, 10 and 20-cent silver pieces struck at the Royal Mint in 1862 and 1864. The New Brunswick half cent was never ordered, nor indeed even required, by the colony.
July 22, 2024
Nova Scotia price guide and values
Nova Scotia decided to adopt a decimal system of currency in 1861. The half cent have the same diameter as the British farthing and the cent as the half penny.
July 20, 2024
2 dollars 1996 to 2023 - Price guide and values
As with modern $1 coins, special reverses have been produced for $2 coins to celebrate various events or commemorate various Canadian symbols and people.
July 18, 2024
1 dollar 1990 to 2024 - Price guide and values
The Royal Canadian Mint produced special reverse designs on the 2 dollars coin since 1990 celebrating various event, or commemorating various Canadian symbols and people.
July 16, 2024
Nova Scotia coins features, characteristics and not intended for circulation added
Nova Scotia decided to adopt a decimal system of currency in 1861. The half cent have the same diameter as the British farthing and the cent as the half penny.
July 15, 2024
Several pictures of errors and varieties added - 10 cents
Throughout the production process to create a coin, several issues can arise. When a coin shows an anomaly, it's either an error or a variety.
July 15, 2024
Standard Bank of Canada - Banknotes of 1919 and 1924
The Standard Bank of Canada was a Canadian bank established in 1873 as the St. Lawrence Bank by a group of Toronto businessmen led by John Charles Fitch. Increased competition and other strategic considerations led to the Standard Bank of Canada to merge with the Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1928.
July 14, 2024
1 dollar 1965 to 1989 - Price guide and values
The price to produce a 100% nickel dollar coin became too high in the 80's. The Mint decided to replace the coin completely including composition, size and design. With the introduction of the $ 1 coin in 1987, the issuing of $ 1 notes ended in 1989.
July 11, 2024
Descriptions and features added - 25 cents 1870 to 1992
In 1967, Alex Colville made the wildcart (bobcat) design on all 25-cents coin and a year later, the Royal Canadian Mint replaced silver for nickel as the composition for this denomination. In 1992, the Mint issued reverse designs, chosen by a national contest, are based on the 12 province and territories of Canada.
July 9, 2024
Test tokens of Canada
These tokens produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, are given to vending machine companies so that they can calibrate their machines before the arrival of a coin with a new composition (shape, weight and / or size). Generally, these tokens are sent directly to the Royal Canadian Mint by companies (since high deposit is required to get them), but some of them do not return.
July 9, 2024
1 dollar 1953 to 1964 - Price guide and values
The reverse was designed by Emanuel Hahn and depicts a voyageur and a First Nations man paddling a canoe, except for the 1954 dollar made to mark the 100th of the meeting that led to the Confederation.
July 8, 2024
1 dollar 1935 to 1952 - Price guide and values
The first reverse of the 1 dollar (excluding the 1911) coin was designed by Emanuel Hahn and depicts a voyageur and a First Nations man paddling a canoe.
July 6, 2024
Imperial Bank of Canada - 1923 to 1939 banknotes
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was formed through the 1961 merger of the Canadian Bank of Commerce and the Imperial Bank of Canada, in the largest merger between chartered banks in Canadian history.
July 5, 2024
50 cents 1990 to 2024 - Price guide and values
Even if nearly never in circulation, several changes happened in the recent years on the 50 cents coin including the following years: 1992, 2002, 2006, 2017...
July 3, 2024
Gold Sovereigns of Canada
Because the Ottawa Mint was a branch of the Royal Mint in 1908, it was part of the duty to produce Gold Sovereign for London. The mintmark C above the date stands for Canada.
July 2, 2024
50 cents 1965 to 1989 - Price guide and values
The composition of the 50 cents changed in 1968 from silver to nickel. In 1977, design on both sides became smaller on the reverse showed beads instead of denticles.
July 1, 2024
Bank of British North America - 1884 to 1889 banknotes
The Bank of British North America was founded by Royal Charter issued in 1836 in London. It was the first bank operating in British Columbia. It merged with the Bank of Montreal in 1918.
June 29, 2024
50 cents 1937 to 1964 - Price guide and values
The reverse changed in 1937 on the 50 cents coins. The Canadian coat of arms by George Edward Kruger-Gray was choosen, but it slightly changed in 1955 because of production and quality issues.
June 27, 2024
1 dollar 2024 - L. M. Montgomery
On the 150th anniversary of her birth, the Royal Canadian Mint released on June 26, 2024 a new $1 commemorative circulation coin honouring L. M. Montgomery. This coin pays tribute to Montgomery's talent and contributions to Canadian and world literature, as well as her role in popularizing Prince Edward Island and Canada through her Anne of Green Gables novel series and other works.
June 27, 2024
50 cents 1902 to 1936 - Price guide and values
On reverse, the St. Edward's crown was replaced by the Imperial State crown. Edward VII is on the obverse from 1902 to 1910. From 1911 to 1936, George V, bust facing left, appears on the 50 cents coin.
June 25, 2024
Several 2024 coins added
Charles III circulation coins and several uncirculated coins have already been distributed over the last 6 months for the year 2024.
June 24, 2024
1 dollar 2003 to 2024 - Not intended for circulation
The Royal Canadian Mint is responsible for producing collector and commemorative coins. Made of base and precious metals, several of the mint's numismatic coins are enhanced by special technologies including holograms, enamelling, lasering and embedded crystals. The Mint serves the public's interest but is also mandated to operate in anticipation of profit.
June 24, 2024
Gold coins from 1912 to 1914
In 1853, Canada adopted the gold standard - a move that simplified trade, but also required that the country have sufficient gold reserves to back its currency. This standard helped develop a growing interest in minting gold at a Canadian mint.
