Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Dollar 1990-2003, KM# 186, Canada, Elizabeth II
  • 1 Dollar 1990-2003, KM# 186, Canada, Elizabeth II
Description

The loonie, formally the Canadian one-dollar coin, is a gold-coloured coin that was introduced in 1987. After its introduction, the coin became the symbol of the Canadian dollar: media often discuss the rate at which the loonie is trading against other currencies. The nickname loonie became so widely recognized that in 2006, the Royal Canadian Mint secured the rights to it.

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 1926–2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and of 14 other Commonwealth realms. Her reign of 70 years and seven months, which began on 6 February 1952, was the longest of any British monarch in history.

When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth—then 25 years old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonisation of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union. The number of her realms varied over time as territories have gained independence and some realms have become republics.

Times of personal significance have included the births and marriages of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, her coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively.

Obverse

The crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem, surrounded by the inscription.

The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen.

Engraver: Dora de Pédery-Hunt

ELIZABETH II D·G·REGINA

Reverse

Depicts a common loon, swimming on a lake, country name above, date and facial value below.

The common loon or great northern diver (Gavia immer) is a large member of the loon, or diver, family of birds. Breeding adults have a plumage that includes a broad black head and neck with a greenish, purplish, or bluish sheen, blackish or blackish-grey upperparts, and pure white underparts except for some black on the undertail coverts and vent. Non-breeding adults are brownish with a dark neck and head marked with dark grey-brown. Their upperparts are dark brownish-grey with an unclear pattern of squares on the shoulders, and the underparts, lower face, chin, and throat are whitish. The sexes look alike, though males are significantly heavier than females. During the breeding season, loons live on lakes and other waterways in Canada; the northern United States (including Alaska); and southern parts of Greenland and Iceland.

The common loon is the provincial bird of Ontario, and it appears on Canadian currency, including the one-dollar "loonie" coin and a previous series of $20 bills. In 1961, it was designated the state bird of Minnesota and appears on the Minnesota State Quarter.

Engraver: Robert-Ralph Carmichael

CANADA
RRC
2000
DOLLAR

Edge

1 Dollar

3rd portrait, Loonie
KM# 186 Schön# 168
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Characteristics
Material Aureate Bronze Plated Nickel
Weight 7 g
Diameter 26.5 mm
Thickness 1.75 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 11
Alignment Medal
Mints
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)
Royal Canadian Mint (W)

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