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Do you live in the United States? If so, then did you ever find it interesting when you looked at the coins you received as change during a sales transaction only to find a Canadian coin sitting in your hands?

If you are like the millions of Americans who live near the Canadian border or in a region with high levels of tourism and commerce from Canadians (as I do in the case of the latter), then you likely have come across at least one or two Canadian coins — and likely far more.

Canadian coins are beautiful in every respect. Most Canadian coins depict some wonderful images of nature, animals, and Canada’s culture. The obverse of Canadian coins has always honored royalty; since 1953, that has been none other than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The wonderful images found on the reverse of most Canadian coins make collecting them a satisfying pastime.

Unique Canadian Coins

While some Americans may grumble at the idea of receiving Canadian coins because of the historically lower exchange rate of Canadian currency, I never have.

After all, Canadian coins provide me an exciting coin collecting venue outside of the usual U.S. coins I am accustomed to seeing in circulation.

Denominations of Canadian Coins

Canadian coin denominations generally follow denomination standards of U.S. coins.

Circulating Canadian coins are produced in the following denominations:

• 1 cent
• 5 cent
• 10 cent
• 25 cent
• 50 cent
• 1 dollar (Loonie)
• 2 dollar coin (Toonie)

NOTE: Canadian dollars struck since 1987 depict an image of the common loon — these Canadian dollar coins are famously called Loonies. The two dollar coins show an image of a polar bear — these coins are called Canadian Toonies.

Eye-Catching Canadian Coins

Canadian coins caught my eye early in my coin collecting journey:

• The majestic schooner floating in the crisp Canadian waters as seen on the reverse of the Canadian dime
• The busy beaver on the reverse of the nickel
• A patriotic Maple leaf on the reverse of the cent

I found these Canadian coins unique in comparison to the images seen on U.S. coins at the time. (Bear in mind that I began collecting coins several years before the appearance of the diverse images of the U.S. 50 States Quarters.)

By the way, just for the record, the Canadian Coat of Arms appears on the reverse of most Canadian half-dollars. It’s not necessarily a scene straight out of the Canadian wilderness, but still a beautiful rendering in its own right.

Canadian Coins That Got My Attention

When I caught a glimpse of the iconic caribou on the reverse of the quarter and the beautiful Voyageur scene (complete with Northern Lights) on the reverse of the pre-1988 Canadian dollars (Canadian Loonies), I was hooked on collecting Canadian coins.

Why? Well, I guess one could say that I appreciate the natural imagery found on many Canadian coins. In every respect, they represent a refreshing alternative to collecting U.S. coins, and they are always good for a numismatic trip out of the United States.

Where To Find Canadian Coins

For those who do not find Canadian coins in their pocket change frequently enough to actively collect coins from the Great White North, consider purchasing Canadian coins from a coin dealer. There are several coins dealers who specialize in Canadian coins. You might also consider buying Canadian coins straight from the source itself — the Royal Canadian Mint.

The Royal Canadian Mint offers collectors several types of sets and packages which contain beautiful examples of Canadian coins from the current year.

If you would like more information on Canadian coins, consider purchasing the latest copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins, a product of Krause Publications.

Here are 3 unique differences in Canadian coin collecting.

Did You Know That Canada Began Issuing Plastic Money In 2011?

It seems everywhere we go today, plastic money is taking over the role of coins and paper currency.

Well, in Canada, plastic money has literally replaced paper money!

Beginning in 2011, the Canadian government began issuing plastic currency to replace its cotton-based paper currency.

So why the switch to plastic money?

Here are some reasons the Canadian government says plastic money is better than the currency it was previously using:

• The polymer currency lasts 2 to 3 times longer than typical paper money, and is therefore more environmentally friendly.
• Plastic money is cleaner than the cotton-based money Canada uses.
• Counterfeiters have a harder time making fake plastic money.

Canada isn’t the first nation to use polymer currency.

Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Mexico use polymer currency.

Is the United States next?

In case you’re wondering, here’s why more countries aren’t using plastic cash.