1968-1989 - 50 Cents - Elizabeth II

The fifty-cent piece is the common name of the Canadian coin worth 50 cents. The coin's reverse depicts the coat of arms of Canada. At the opening ceremonies for the Ottawa branch of the Royal Mint, held on January 2, 1908, Governor General Earl Grey struck the Dominion of Canada’s first domestically produced coin. It was a silver fifty-cent piece bearing the effigy of King Edward VII.

History of composition
Years Weight Diameter Thickness Composition
2000–present 6.9 g 27.13 mm 1.95 mm 93.15% steel, 4.75% copper, 2.1% nickel plating
1980–1999 8.10 g 27.13 mm 1.9 mm 99.9% nickel
1968–1979 8.10 g 27.13 mm 1.93 mm 99.9% nickel
1920–1967 11.66 g 29.72 mm n/a 80% silver, 20% copper
1908–1919 11.62 g 29.72 mm n/a 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper

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From sea to sea – the 50-cent coin
Source: mint.ca

The 50-cent coin bears the Canadian Coat of Arms. It honours the four founding nations of Canada: England, Scotland, Ireland and France. The inscription, "A Mari usque ad Mare," means "from sea to sea"; the second inscription, "Desiderantes meliorem patriam," means "they desire a better country." The current design was produced by former Royal Canadian Mint engraver Thomas Shingles and was first used in 1959. In recent decades, the fifty-cent circulation coin has not been widely used in day-to-day transactions, yet it remains popular with coin collectors.

Reverse side designs

1959 - 1966, 1968 - present
The modified Coat of Arms
The Canadian Government approved a new Coat of Arms in 1957. In 1959 it appeared on the 50-cent coin, where it remains to this day.


Technical specifications

2000 - present
Composition: 93.15% steel, 4.75% copper, 2.1% nickel plating
Weight (g): 6.9
Diameter (mm): 27.13
Thickness (mm): 1.95

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50 Cents - Elizabeth II 4th portrait
Source: en.numista.com

KM# 494
Features
Country Canada
Years 2003-2014
Value 50 Cents (0.5 CAD)
Metal Nickel-plated Steel
Weight 6.9 g
Diameter 27.13 mm
Thickness 1.9 mm
Engravers Susanna Blunt (obverse)
Cathy Bursey-Sabourin (reverse)
Shape Round
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
Edge: Reeded

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