1 Cent - Elizabeth II (3rd portrait; bronze)

The 1997 Canadian one-cent coin was issued during the final years of the denomination's circulation, representing a standard piece of the Canadian currency system before it was eventually phased out in 2012. Minted in bronze, this coin features the third effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by artist Dora de Pédery-Hunt. This portrait, which debuted on Canadian coinage in 1990, was notable for being the first depiction of the monarch on Canadian tender created by a Canadian artist, signaling a shift toward domestic representation in numismatic design.

The reverse of the coin features the iconic maple leaf twig design, a staple of Canadian coinage that emphasizes national identity. This design was originally created by G.E. Kruger Gray and served as a symbol of Canadian heritage throughout the twentieth century. While these coins were mass-produced for daily commerce, they are now primarily held by collectors interested in the transition period of Canadian coinage, representing the tail end of the era when the penny played an active role in the country's economy.