Canadian One Dollar Obverse Designs
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This page shows the major die designs since Canadian one dollar coins were introduced in 1935. It does NOT cover "die blunders", where dies were re-punched
with different years (and the previous number is visible below the current number), or where cracks appeared in the dies causing unwanted lines
to appear in the coin. It also does not cover date doubling. This page only discusses silver or nickel one dollar coins issued for circulation. It does not include coins which were created exclusively for the collector market. The "loonie" will be covered on a separate page. NOTE: Click on any photo to load a much larger version of the same photo |
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George V (Imperial Crowned Portrait)  For the first one dollar coin issued by Canada, this design by Percy Metcalf depicts His Majesty King George VI in the 25th year of his reign. The words "GEORGIVS V REX IMPERATOR ANNO REGNI XXV" appear around the outer edge of the obverse, which translates to "George the Fifth King Emperor 25th Year of Reign". Technically this obverse is actually a commemorative design, because it was designed to celebrate the King's 25th anniversary on the throne of Great Britain. Although like the 1911 coins it lacked any mention of God, the people forgave the omission because it was a special issue The tools for this die were only used for this Canadian coin, but had been used for some coins from Australia and New Zealand. |
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This obverse design by Sir E. B. MacKennal was prepared in 1911 for use on the 1911 Canadian dollar, which was never issued to the public. The same design, however, WAS used on all other Canadian
coins between 1912 and 1936. |
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King 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). |
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After India was granted independence, the phrase "ET IND: IMP:" had to be removed from all coins in the British empire. Because of this a new obverse designed by T. H. Paget was ordered. The abbreviation "D:G:REX" was expanded to read "DEI GRATIA REX" |
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Queen Elizabeth II  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. |
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Designed by Arnold Machin and Walter Ott, 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 one dollar coins had any silver content. |
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Starting in 1968 all one dollar coins were made of pure nickel instead of a silver alloy. Because nickel is a harder metal,
the diameter of the coin was reduced to ease manufacturing and easily differentiate from the silver dollars.
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A new effigy was created in 1973 by Arnold Machin and Patrick Brindley with a smaller, more detailed portrait and fewer
rim beads, placed farther from the rim.
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The Machin/Brindley obverse from 1973-1977 was re-used, but the rim beads were moved closer to the rim.
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The Constitution Commemorative This designs by Arnold Machin and the RCM staff moved the date and the words "CANADA" and "DOLLAR" from the reverse to the obverse, above the Queen's effigy. The words "D.G. REGINA" were removed from the obverse. |
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The Jacques Cartier 400 Anniversary These designs by Arnold Machin and the RCM staff moved the date and the words "CANADA" and "DOLLAR" from the reverse to the obverse, above the Queen's effigy. The words "D.G. REGINA" were removed from the obverse. |
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