Coins and Canada - 1 cent 2006 - Composition and varieties

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1 cent 2006 - Composition and varieties

By Lightw4re | Thursday, 4 March 2021

Due to the rising price of copper, the Royal Canadian Mint started to change the composition of Canadian 1-cent coins. In 1999 and 2000, several coins were issued, mostly in sets, for testing in vending machines.

From a copper to steel, a new production method, called multi-ply plating, combined with the new composition, were use for Canadian coinage, and for several foreign coins: Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Ghana, Oman, Paraguay, Barbados, Bahamas and more.

In an age of rising base metal costs, there is a compelling need around the world for a coinage solution which saves money without compromising quality. Only the Royal Canadian Mint can offer a solution to meet this need, which has led us to become one of the most innovative in the world.

- Ian E. Bennett, RCM President and CEO

Multi-ply plating is an electroplating process which deposits thin, alternating layers of nickel and copper over a steel core. Advantages are:

Savings in time and materials: multi-ply plating uses less nickel, copper or bronze than other minting techniques, and is faster than single-ply plating
Nickel plate resists tarnishing better than cupronickel and ferritic stainless steel
Heightened security: varying the thickness of each copper and nickel layer to custom specifications gives multi-ply plated coins a unique electromagnetic signature, which ensures security and prevents vending machine fraud

From 2001 to 2006, a P was added, below the Queen's bust, for coins produced with the new plating method. During the year 2006, the P was replaced by the Royal Canadian Mint logo.