1870 "No LCW" (OH1)

Designed by Leonard C. Wyon, the first-year 1870 half dollars were produced in two different obverse variants, with and without the designer's initials LCW on the truncation of the Queen's neck.
The No LCW coins also lack a small shamrock behind the first jewel at the front of the crown, the upper eyelid is straight. The upper and lower eyelids do not meet at the corner of the eye. A large crease extends down from thecorner of the mouth, and other minor differences appear as well.

1870-1872, 1888 OH2

Also designed by Leonard C. Wyon, the Queen's effigy shows a more pronounced "frowning" appearance (the crease at the corner of the mouth is noticeably deeper and shorter in length).

The upper eyelid is thin and straight, and it does not join the lower lid at the corner of the eye.

As is the case with OH3 and OH4 variants, there is a shamrock behind the frontmost jewel on the crown, and the initials "LCW" can be found on the truncation of the Queen's neck.

1881H, 1888, 1892 OH3

Also designed by Leonard C. Wyon, the Queen's effigy shows that the upper lip falls straight down from the nostril to an ill-formed upper lip. There is no crease line at the corner of the mouth.

The upper eyelid is thick and straight, and joins the lower lid at the corner of the eye.

As is the case with OH2 and OH4 variants, there is a shamrock behind the frontmost jewel on the crown, and the initials "LCW" can be found on the truncation of the Queen's neck.

1888, 1890H, 1892, 1894, 1898-1901 OH4

Also designed by Leonard C. Wyon, the Queen's effigy shows that the upper lip has a slight curl and curves outward. There is a large, deep crease line at the corner of the mouth that extends downwards to form a noticeably puffy cheek.

The upper eyelid is thin and straight, and joins the lower lid at the corner of the eye.

As is the case with OH2 and OH4 variants, there is a shamrock behind the frontmost jewel on the crown, and the initials "LCW" can be found on the truncation of the Queen's neck.

1902-1910 Edward VII

After the death of Queen Victoria in January of 1901, a new effigy was designed by George W. Desaulles featuring King Edward VII wearing the Imperial State Crown, looking towards the right of the coin.

The rim of the coin contains the words "EDWARDVS VII DEI GRATIA REX IMPERATOR" which translates to "Edward VII By The Grace Of God King And Emperor".

The designer's signature (DES) can be found below the truncation King's effigy, towards the front of the chest.

1911 George V "Godless"

After the death of Edward VII, the coronation of George V in 1910 and the addition of India to the British Empire, a new obverse featuring King George V wearing the Imperal State Crown, surrounded by "GEORGIVS V REX ET IND:IMP:" (George V King And Emperor of India) was designed by Sir E. B. MacKennal in 1911.

To make room for the abbreviation "ET IND:IMP:" the words "D. G." (By the grace of God) and "IMPERATOR" from the previous obverse design were removed.

1912-1936 George V

When the public noticed that the "D.G." (meaning "By the Grace of God") had been removed from the coins of 1911 there was a tremendous amount of backlash over the "Godless" coins.

As a result the obverse was changed in 1912 to add that text back onto the coins by the original designer Sir E. B. MacKennal.

1937-1947 George VI

After the death of George V in January 1936, the abdication of Edward VIII and the coronation of George VI, a new obverse was designed by T. H. Paget with the likeness of King George VI (uncrowned), surrounded with the inscription "GEORGIVS VI D:G:REX ET IND:IMP:" (George VI, by the grace of God, King and Emperor of India).

1948-1952 George VI

After India was granted independence from the British Empire in August 1947, the words "ET IND IMP" had to be removed from all coins in the British Empire.

What had been previously abbreviated to read "D:G:REX" was now fully expanded to read "DEI GRATIA REX".

1953-1964 Elizabeth II Laureate

After the death of George VI in February 1952, a new obverse was designed by Mary Gillick and Thomas Shingles with the likeness of Queen Elizabeth II when she was 27 years old, surrounded with the inscription "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA" (Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen) uncrowned but wearing a laurel wreath.

1965-1967 Elizabeth II Tiara

Elizabeth II Tiara
Designed by Arnold Machin and Thomas Shingles, a new obverse was created in 1965 to show a more mature portrait of the Queen.
Instead of the previous effigy which showed a laurel wreath on her head, the new effigy shows her wearing a diamond tiara.

Note 1967 was the last year that the 50 cent coins had any silver content.

1968-1976 Elizabeth II Tiara (Nickel)

Elizabeth II Tiara (Nickel)
Designed by Arnold Machin and Walter Ott, the coat of arms design was resumed in 1968, however the decision was made to end the use of silver alloys in favour of pure nickel.
To make the new nickel coins easier to strike, the fifty cent pieces were reduced in diameter (from 29.72mm to 27.13mm).

1977 Elizabeth II Small Bust Tiara

Elizabeth II Small Bust Tiara
1977 was a year of major changes to both sides of the fifty cent piece. Designed by Arnold Machin and Patrick Brindley. the obverse uses a smaller bust with increased hair detail, smaller lettering and larger beads placed farther from the rim.

1978-1989 Elizabeth II Tiara

Elizabeth II Tiara
Designed by Arnold Machin and Walter Ott, in 1978 the smaller lettering used in 1977 was retained, but a design essentially the same as the 1968 - 1976 design was restored.

1990-2000 Elizabeth II Diadem

Elizabeth II Diadem
A new obverse designed by Dora de Pedry-Hunt and Ago Aarand was created in 1990 showing the Queen wearing a diamond diadem and jewellery.

1998W and 2000W Elizabeth II Diadem (Winnipeg)

Elizabeth II Diadem (Winnipeg Mint)
A new obverse designed by Dora de Pedry-Hunt and Ago Aarand was created in 1990 showing the Queen wearing a diamond diadem and jewellery.

1998 and 2000 coins which were minted at the Winnipeg branch of the RCM have a "W" mint mark below the Queen's effigy.

1999P-2001P, 2003P Elizabeth II Diadem CPS

Elizabeth II Diadem Copper Plated Steel
Starting in 1999, the Mint began experimenting with the use of multi-ply steel material instead of nickel alloys. This process starts with a steel core, then adds layers by electroplating nickel, then copper and finally nickel to the core.

All coins which were plated in this way have a "P" designation on the obverse side of the coins.

Although limited copies were manufactured this way in 1999 and 2000, the process did not make it's way into full production for circulation until the 2001 production year.

2002 Regular Issue Elizabeth II Diadem CPS

Elizabeth II Diadem Copper Plated Steel (Obverse Date)
The regular issue moved the date to the obverse side of the coin, and changed it to read "1952 2002".

2002 Jubilee Issue Elizabeth II State Crown CPS

Anniversary of Elizabeth II Coronation, Elizabeth II Imperial State Crown Copper Plated Steel
The effigy of the Queen was drastically changed for this issue. She is shown wearing the Imperial State Crown and robes which she wore on the day of her coronation in 1952.
Her Royal Cypher is shown to her left, above the word "CANADA".

2003WP Elizabeth II Uncrowned CPS (Winnipeg Mint)

Elizabeth II Uncrowned CPS (Winnipeg Mint)
During the 2003 production run the obverse was changed to feature a new, more mature looking effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Susanna Blunt and Susan Taylor.

The coins which were minted at the Winnipeg branch of the RCM have a "W" mint mark next to the "P" composition mark below the Queen's effigy, .

2003-Today Elizabeth II Uncrowned "P" or "Logo"

During the 2003 production run the obverse was changed to feature a new, more mature looking effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Susanna Blunt and Susan Taylor.

During the 2006 production run a new stylized logo for the Royal Canadian Mint was added below the Queen's effigy, replacing the "P" composition mark.

2021 100th Anniversary of Canada's Coat of Arms

100th Anniversary of Canada's Coat of Arms

This is a modern reproduction of the 50-cent coin issued in 1937. It was the first coin to feature Canada's Coat of Arms, which was originally adopted 100 years ago (1921) by proclamation of King George V.

The obverse features the historic effigy of King George VI by T. H. Paget and the inscription "GEORGIVS VI:G:REX ET IND:IMP" (George VI, by the grace of God, King and Emperor of India), as seen on all Canadian coins issued that year.

2023 Elizabeth II Memorial

After the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8 2022, the Royal Canadian Mint changed the obverses of all 2023 coins.

They added four pearls below her effigy, symbolizing the four effigies of Her Majesty that have graced Canadian coins since her coronation in 1953.

The pearls are flanked by the dates "1952" and "2022" which signify the years she reigned over the United Kingdom.

2023 King Charles III Effigy

After the accession of Prince Charles to the throne of the United Kingdom, the process started to select an effigy of King Charles III in standing with the Canadian tradition of displaying the reigning British monarch on Canadian coins.
You can read more about the process on the Royal Canadian Mint's web site.
Click here to read their article.

The design submitted by artist Steven Rosati was chosen and approved.
You will note that on the right side of the obverse the text "D.G. Rex" is displayed (Rex is the Latin word for King, where Regina is the Latin word for Queen).

Also, following a tradition that dates back to Charles II in the 17th century, each new monarch faces the opposite direction than their predecessor did. Because of this, the King's image faces to the left of the coins.