What Are Canadian Coins Made Of?

The materials used in Canadian coins balance practicality and economic necessity, reflecting efforts to manage intrinsic value and production costs. Understanding their composition offers insight into currency considerations. The choice of metals impacts a coin’s durability, appearance, and counterfeiting susceptibility, making it an important topic for financial authorities.

Current Canadian Coin Materials

Canada’s current circulating coins primarily utilize multi-ply plated steel, a cost-effective and durable material. This method involves layering different metals over a steel core, providing specific visual and magnetic properties while conserving more valuable resources. The Royal Canadian Mint has adopted this technology for several denominations to reduce production expenses and enhance security features.

The five-cent coin (“nickel”), ten-cent coin (“dime”), and twenty-five-cent coin (“quarter”) are all made of nickel-plated steel, giving them a silver appearance and magnetic properties. The nickel contains 94.5% steel, 3.5% copper, and 2% nickel plating. The dime consists of 92% steel, 5.5% copper, and 2.5% nickel plating. The quarter uses 94% steel with 3.8% copper and 2.2% nickel plating.

The one-dollar coin (“loonie”) is made of multi-ply brass-plated steel, giving it a gold color and an 11-sided shape. Its composition switched in 2012, reducing its weight. The two-dollar coin (“toonie”) is bi-metallic, with an outer ring of multi-ply nickel-plated steel and an inner core of multi-ply brass-plated aluminum bronze. This combination provides distinct visual appeal and enhanced security.

Past Canadian Coin Materials

The composition of Canadian coinage has changed throughout history, driven by fluctuating metal prices and production efficiency. Early pennies, issued in 1858, were bronze. Their composition evolved, including a switch to copper-plated zinc in 1997. During World War II, metal shortages led to pennies being made from tombac or steel coated with chrome and nickel. Production of the Canadian penny ceased in May 2012, as its cost exceeded face value.

Before 1968, Canadian dimes, quarters, and half-dollars contained silver. Initially, silver content was 92.5% before 1920, then reduced to 80%. By the mid-1960s, rising silver prices made silver coinage unfeasible for circulation. In 1968, Canada transitioned its dimes and quarters to pure nickel, with some briefly containing 50% silver during the transition.

The five-cent coin, initially silver, transitioned to pure nickel in 1922, giving it its common name. Wartime demands led to temporary compositions like tombac and nickel-plated steel. In 1982, its composition shifted to cupronickel before moving to nickel-plated steel in 2000. The one-dollar coin, introduced in 1987, was initially aureate (bronze-plated nickel). The two-dollar coin, launched in 1996, originally featured a pure nickel outer ring and an aluminum bronze core.