How to Identify the 1967 Centennial Gold $20 Coin

What It Is

The 1967 gold $20 piece was issued as part of Canada's Centennial celebrations, commemorating one hundred years since Confederation. Unlike the lower-denomination Centennial circulation coins that featured wildlife designs, this gold $20 was a special, higher-value collector issue sold in its own presentation case.

Obverse Design

The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, matching the style used on other Canadian coinage of the mid-1960s, with the legend "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA" and the date "1967" below the portrait.

Reverse Design

The reverse displays the Canadian coat of arms, a detailed rendering including the shield, supporting lion and unicorn, crown, and motto scroll, along with "CANADA" and the denomination "20 DOLLARS." The intricate coat of arms design distinguishes this coin from the simpler wildlife motifs used on the Centennial circulation set.

Size, Weight & Metal

The coin is struck in 90% gold, 10% silver, weighing approximately 18.27 grams (about 0.5288 troy ounces of pure gold) with a diameter of roughly 27 mm, following specifications similar to earlier Canadian $20 gold pieces from the early 1900s.

Mint Marks

The coin was produced exclusively at the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa and does not carry a separate mintmark; the date 1967 alongside the Centennial theming is sufficient to identify its origin and purpose.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

Because this coin shares its general size and gold content with earlier Canadian $20 gold pieces (such as those from 1912-1914), the key distinguishing features are the 1967 date and the coat of arms reverse design, which differs entirely from the maple leaf-and-shield reverse used on the earlier issues. Always check the date and reverse motif together before assuming which type of $20 gold piece you're examining.

How It Relates to the Centennial Set

The 1967 gold $20 was issued alongside, but separately from, the better-known Centennial circulation coin set, which ranged from the one-cent piece up to the silver dollar and used wildlife motifs such as the rock dove, mackerel, and Canada goose. The gold $20 stands apart from that set both in its higher face value and in its heraldic reverse, so it should not be confused with any of the smaller circulating Centennial designs.

Judging Condition at a Glance

Since most 1967 gold $20 coins were sold directly to collectors in cases rather than circulated, well-preserved specimens are common. Look for hairline scratches from handling or removal from capsules, and check the fine details of the coat of arms and the Queen's portrait for sharpness, which should remain crisp on a properly stored, lightly handled example.

Authenticity Red Flags

Given its gold content, verify weight and diameter closely, as counterfeit or gold-plated base-metal copies would typically be off on one or both measurements. Watch for a color that looks too yellow or too pale compared to genuine 90% gold, soft or indistinct details in the coat of arms engraving, and any magnetic response, since genuine gold coins are not magnetic.