1 Cent - Elizabeth II (2nd portrait modified)

The 1979 Canadian one-cent coin was minted during a period of transition for the Royal Canadian Mint, which was adjusting its production processes to meet high domestic demand. This specific issue features the modified effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, originally sculpted by Arnold Machin, which had been in use on Canadian coinage since 1965. The design reflects the Commonwealth's shift toward a more mature portrayal of the monarch, showcasing the Queen wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara.

The coin is composed of bronze, following the long-standing tradition of Canadian small cents prior to the transition to copper-plated zinc. While the design was widely circulated and utilitarian in nature, it is notable for being part of the last decade of the traditional large-format bronze cent before the design underwent significant changes in the 1980s. Collectors often prize these coins for their status as a standard-bearer of late 20th-century Canadian numismatics, representing a stable period of currency design before the eventual phase-out of the one-cent denomination.