Obverse. Photo © Saskatoon Coin Club
  • 2 Dollars 2003-2006, KM# 496, Canada, Elizabeth II
  • 2 Dollars 2003-2006, KM# 496, Canada, Elizabeth II
Description

The Canadian two-dollar coin, commonly called the toonie, is the most valuable of the frequently used Canadian coins. "Toonie" is a portmanteau word combining the number "two" with the name of the loonie, Canada's one-dollar coin.

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

Fourth portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II, when she was 77 years old, facing right and surrounded by the inscription. The mint mark of the Royal Canadian Mint (Maple Leaf) above.

Dei Gratia Regina (often abbreviated to D. G. Regina and seen as D·G·REGINA) is a Latin title meaning By the Grace of God, Queen.

Engraver: Susanna Blunt

ELIZABETH II D • G • REGINA
2004

Reverse

A polar bear in early summer on an ice floe is surrounded by the facial value and the inscription CANADA.

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is a carnivorous bear whose native range lies largely within the Arctic Circle, encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. Although most polar bears are born on land, they spend most of their time on the sea ice. Their scientific name means "maritime bear" and derives from this fact.

Engraver: Brent Townsend

CANADA
BT
2 DOLLARS

Edge

2 Dollars

4th portrait
KM# 496 Schön# 524
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Characteristics
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Nickel
Center Aluminium Bronze
Weight 7.3 g
Diameter 28 mm
Thickness 1.8 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mints
Royal Canadian Mint (Maple Leaf)
Royal Canadian Mint (W)

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