1 Cent - Elizabeth II (Specimen sets; bronze)

The 1998 Canadian one-cent coin, minted in bronze, was produced by the Royal Canadian Mint as part of the annual specimen set. This period marked a transition in Canadian numismatics as the Mint sought to provide high-quality, special-finish coins for collectors rather than standard circulation pieces. The obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Dora de Pédery-Hunt, which had been the standard on Canadian coinage since 1990, reflecting the nation's ongoing constitutional ties to the British monarchy.

The coin's design, featuring the iconic maple leaf twig on the reverse, was originally created by G.E. Kruger-Gray in 1937 and remains one of the most enduring symbols of Canadian national identity. By 1998, the production of these specimen sets was well-regarded among collectors for their distinct finish, which involved a brilliant relief against a lined background. These sets were intended to preserve the numismatic history of the Canadian penny before the denomination was eventually phased out of circulation by the federal government in 2013.