1 Cent - George VI (Pattern strike)

The 1937 Canadian one-cent coin marked a significant transition in Canadian numismatic history, serving as the first issue to feature King George VI following the abdication of Edward VIII. Struck by the Royal Canadian Mint, the coin introduced a new reverse design featuring two maple leaves, an emblem that replaced the earlier vine-leaf motif. This change was implemented to better align the coinage with Canadian national identity during a period of transition within the British Empire.

The obverse portrait of George VI was created by the British sculptor T.H. Paget, who aimed to depict the monarch with a stoic and formal elegance suitable for colonial currency. The reverse, designed by G.E. Kruger-Gray, was chosen for its clean, heraldic simplicity, which resonated with the aesthetic trends of the late 1930s. The issue was widely circulated and remains a staple for collectors interested in the transition of Canadian coinage during the mid-twentieth century.