1 Cent - Elizabeth II (4th portrait; non-magnetic with RCM logo)

The 2006 Canadian one-cent coin occupies a unique position in numismatic history as it marks the transition period for the Royal Canadian Mint's production standards. During this year, the Mint introduced a non-magnetic version of the penny to test new metallic compositions, distinguished by the addition of the Royal Canadian Mint logo—a small maple leaf inside a circle—on the obverse. This design choice served as a technical indicator to help vending machines and coin-sorting equipment identify the differing metallurgical properties of the coins.

The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II featured on this issue is the fourth effigy, designed by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt. Unveiled in 2003, Blunt’s design intentionally omitted the traditional crown to present a more contemporary, humanizing image of the monarch. While the penny remained a fixture of Canadian commerce for several years following its 2006 update, the series eventually reached its end in 2012 when the government announced the cessation of the one-cent coin’s production due to rising manufacturing costs and its declining utility in the modern economy.