Obverse. Photo © Royal Canadian Mint
  • 1 Dollar 2023, KM# 3291, Canada, Charles III
  • 1 Dollar 2023, KM# 3291, Canada, Charles III
  • 1 Dollar 2023, KM# 3291, Canada, Charles III, 6 coin non-circulation set
Description

The Royal Canadian Mint did not issue any 2023-dated Canadian circulation coins featuring both the traditional reverse designs and an obverse featuring Queen Elizabeth II. Instead, a limited collector’s edition for each of the six Canadian coin denominations ($2, $1, 50¢, 25¢, 10¢, 5¢) was released. Packaged in a royal purple folder that pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, they mark the end of a reign—and the end of an era in Canadian coins.

As the new King Charles III dies were not yet ready for this coin set, all the obverse designs feature a posthumous effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the addition of the double dates of her reign, 1952-2022.

Obverse

Fourth portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II, when she was 77 years old, facing right and surrounded by the inscription. Below, the four pearls symbolise the four effigies that have graced Canadian coins and the double date of her reign.

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
1952 2022

Reverse

Depicts a common loon, swimming on a lake, a maple leaf within a circle and country name above, 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
DOLLAR

Edge

1 Dollar

Transition obverse, Loonie
KM# 3291
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Brass Plated Steel
Weight 6.27 g
Diameter 26.5 mm
Thickness 1.95 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 11
Alignment Medal
Alt # RCM# 202193
Mint
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)

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