1 Cent - Elizabeth II (2nd portrait, 12 sided)

The 1982 Canadian one-cent coin represents a transitional period in the history of the country's small change. Produced at the Royal Canadian Mint, this 12-sided bronze coin was minted shortly before the transition to the circular shape that would define the denomination for the remainder of its existence. It features the second effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by sculptor Arnold Machin, which was introduced in 1965 and became a hallmark of Commonwealth coinage during the mid-twentieth century.

The decision to utilize a 12-sided dodecagonal shape was intended to make the coin easily distinguishable from other denominations by touch, an essential feature for accessibility. The reverse side features the iconic maple leaf sprig design, created by G.E. Kruger Gray, which has been associated with Canadian pennies since 1937. While it was widely circulated and integrated into daily commerce, the coin is now largely a curiosity for collectors due to the subsequent discontinuation of the one-cent piece by the Government of Canada in 2012.