See what’s in your coin purse!

Although electronic money is popular now, we still often use coins in our daily lives. Canada has six types of coins. Each one has a special name and characteristics. Let me introduce them to you one by one.

Penny (1 cent coin)

According to the Royal Canadian Mint, the official term for the coin is the one-cent piece, but in practice the terms penny and cent predominate. The maple leaf on the back of the coin is a proud and distinctive Canadian symbol. The modern 1-cent coin features two maple leaves on the same twig. However, it was discontinued in 2013.

Nickel (5 cents coin)

Typically features a beaver, an animal historically significant in Canada's fur trade history. In 1922-1942 and 1965-1981, the 5-cent coins were struck in 100% nickel. Perhaps it is the reason why we still call it Nickel now. Sometimes it is not easy to distinguish the Quarter (25-cent coin) from the Nickel when they are piled up together. The good thing is that the edge of the Nickel is smooth, while the Quarter has “reeded” edges, so you can still pick them out quickly.

Dime (10 cents coin)

It shows a sailboat on the back, reflecting Canada's maritime heritage. The word dime comes from the French word dîme, meaning "tithe" or "tenth part". It has been the smallest Canadian coin since 1922.

Quarter (25 cents coin)

25-cent coins are very commonly used. The back of the quarter has a Caribou. Some other different designs highlight Canadian wildlife, historical events, or cultural aspects. That’s why some people will specifically collect Quarters.

Loonie (1 dollar coin)

The one-dollar coin is Canada's "gold coin", commonly known as Loonie. The back of the Loonie is another characteristic animal - the common loon, which is a very common bird in North America. This is the reason why the one-dollar coin is commonly known as Loonie. Beyond being a term of the coin, ‘Loonie’ is also a fun, informal term for someone who’s acting crazy or foolish. 

Toonie (2 dollars coin)

The two-color two-dollar coin is gold on the inside and silver on the outside, commonly known as Toonie. The Toonie features a polar bear, another iconic symbol of Canada. Toonie is a portmanteau of ‘two’ and ‘Loonie’. It means two Loonies.