George VI Small Cent (Maple Twig)

The George VI Small Cent introduced a fresh reverse design for Canada's smallest coin: two maple leaves joined on a single twig, an image intended to feel distinctly Canadian rather than a straightforward copy of British coinage conventions. It replaced the earlier Victorian and Edwardian-era leaf motifs used since decimalization.

Collectors value the series both for its accessible, affordable common dates and for a few pieces struck under unusual wartime and immediate post-war conditions that add interest to an otherwise inexpensive series to collect by date and mint state.

In 1937, as part of a broader overhaul of Canadian coin designs coinciding with the accession of George VI, the Royal Canadian Mint commissioned new reverse designs across denominations. English sculptor and medalist George Kruger Gray designed several of these new reverses, including the maple twig motif used on the cent.

The coin was struck throughout George VI's reign, spanning the Second World War and its aftermath, a period during which other Canadian denominations experienced temporary composition changes due to metal shortages, though the cent largely retained its traditional bronze alloy.

Production continued until 1952, the year before Elizabeth II's portrait began appearing on Canadian coinage following George VI's death in February of that year.

The obverse depicts a mature, uncrowned effigy of King George VI facing left, with the legend GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA REX ET INDIAE IMPERATOR (with a shortened version used after India's independence in 1947, dropping the imperial title). The reverse shows two small maple leaves joined at a twig, with CANADA above and the denomination and date below.

The coin is small and thin compared to a modern penny-sized piece, struck in bronze with a plain edge. Mint marks are not used on Canadian cents of this era, as all were produced at the Ottawa mint.

Collectors distinguish this series from the later Elizabeth II maple twig cents (which continued a very similar reverse design after 1953) primarily by the obverse portrait and the reigning monarch's legend.

Most dates in this series are common in circulated grades and are inexpensive, making it a popular series for beginning collectors to complete by date. Uncirculated, well-struck examples with strong red-bronze luster command a premium over typical brown or worn pieces.

A small number of pieces, including certain wartime-era dates and a scarce 1947 variety with a tiny maple leaf added near the date to mark a delay in a die change from India's independence, are more sought after and carry higher premiums than the ordinary run of the series.