Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 2 Dollars 2012-2022, KM# 1257, Canada, Elizabeth II
  • 2 Dollars 2012-2022, KM# 1257, 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.

In 2012 Canada's two-dollar got a radical design change, new allow and the addition of visible security features such as laser mark micro-engraving, as well as a virtual image and edge-lettering.

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. Date below.

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
SB
2013

Reverse

A polar bear in early summer on an ice floe is surrounded by the facial value and the inscription CANADA. Two laser marks of maple leaves, each within a circle, at the bottom. A virtual image of two maple leaves appears at the top. A different image is produced as the coin is turned from side to side. The virtual image is produced by engraving different patterns on each side of two-sided grooves on the face of the coin.

Engraver: Brent Townsend

BT
CANADA 2 DOLLARS

Edge

Segmented reeding and incuse lettering. The edge lettering is stamped into each coin by a separate press, so there is no way to control which side faces up as each coin enters the press. As a result, there are two varieties of each coin:

- Type A: edge lettering is right side up with obverse on top
- Type B: edge lettering is right side up with reverse on top

CANADA 2 DOLLARS

2 Dollars

4th portrait
KM# 1257 Schön# 945
Characteristics
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Nickel Plated Steel
Center Brass Plated Aluminium Bronze
Weight 6.92 g
Diameter 28 mm
Thickness 1.75 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Canadian Mint (Maple Leaf)

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