Obverse. Photo © Saskatoon Coin Club
  • 1 Dollar 1992, KM# 209, Canada, Elizabeth II, 125th Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation
  • 1 Dollar 1992, KM# 209, Canada, Elizabeth II, 125th Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation
Description

125th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation occurred in 1992. Canadian Confederation was the process by which the British colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into one Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. Upon confederation, the old province of Canada was divided into Ontario and Quebec; along with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the new federation thus comprised four provinces. Over the years since Confederation, Canada has seen numerous territorial changes and expansions, resulting in the current union of ten provinces and three territories.

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, dates 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
1867-1992
DOLLAR

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Aureate Bronze Plated Nickel
Weight 7 g
Diameter 26.5 mm
Thickness 1.75 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 11
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)

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