1 Cent - Elizabeth II (Golden Jubilee; bronze)

The 2002 Canadian one-cent piece was minted to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, marking fifty years since her accession to the throne. This specific issue features a special reverse design by artist Susan Taylor, which depicts a maple leaf branch, departing from the long-standing twin maple leaf motif that had graced the coin since 1937. The transition was intended to honor the celebratory nature of the Jubilee year while maintaining the distinct Canadian identity of the denomination.

The obverse of the coin displays the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II created by Dora de Pédery-Hunt, which was the standard portrait used on Canadian coinage starting in 1990. Following the 2002 Jubilee, the Royal Canadian Mint eventually ceased production of the one-cent coin in 2012, making these commemorative issues among the final chapters in the century-long history of the Canadian penny. The design was well-received by numismatists for its elegant simplicity and its role in marking a significant milestone in the British monarchy.