Canadian 1-Dollar 'Loonie'

Canada (Royal Canadian Mint) · 1993

A gold-colored, 11-sided Canadian circular coin featuring a common loon on the reverse.

Country: Canada (Royal Canadian Mint)
Year: 1993
Denomination: $1.00 CAD
Metal: Aureate bronze-plated nickel

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified June 21, 2026More canada (royal canadian mint) coins →

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Overview

A gold-colored, 11-sided Canadian circular coin featuring a common loon on the reverse.

Historical significance

Introduced in 1987 to replace the one-dollar paper note, the 'Loonie' became a cultural symbol of Canada. The 11-sided shape was chosen for ease of identification by the visually impaired and to differentiate it from other denominations.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing the George IV State Diadem, designed by Dora de Pédery-Hunt. Legend: ELIZABETH II D.G. REGINA.

Reverse (back)

A common loon floating on water with a pine-covered island in the background. Designed by Robert-Ralph Carmichael (initials RRC visible). Legend: CANADA DOLLAR 1993.

Estimated value

$0.75 - $1.25 USD in circulated condition; $5.00 - $15.00+ USD in high Mint State (MS-65 or higher).

What drives this coin's value

Condition/grade is the primary factor. Circulated examples are rarely worth more than face value. Exceptional eye appeal or high-grade specimens (MS-65+) command a premium.

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (EF/AU) - Shows minor contact marks and slight wear on the high points of the loon and the Queen's hair.

Mintage & rarity

Total mintage of 88,693,000; common.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Weight and diameter should be exact; check for the characteristic 11-sided shape and golden bronze luster. Counterfeits of this specific date are rare due to its low value.

Notable varieties & errors

No major die varieties or errors are widely recognized for the 1993 business strike.

Similar coins

Often confused with gold coins by non-numismatists due to its color, or other 11-sided Canadian coins like the 2012+ multi-ply steel version which features a security mark.