1 Cent (In the name of George V; Farewell to the Penny 1911-1920)

The 2012 Canadian one-cent coin marked a historic conclusion to the nation's currency history, serving as the final edition before the denomination was officially discontinued. Produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, the coin features the long-standing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, designed by Susanna Blunt, while the reverse retains the iconic maple leaf sprig originally rendered by G.E. Kruger Gray. This final release was a poignant acknowledgement of the penny's diminishing purchasing power and the environmental costs associated with its production, effectively ending a circulation run that began in 1858.

The decision to retire the penny was driven by the Department of Finance, which determined that the cost of minting exceeded the face value of the coin. While the 2012 issue was part of the standard design continuity, it became an immediate target for collectors seeking a tangible piece of numismatic history. The design's heritage, reflecting Canada's transition from British imperial influence to its own distinct national identity through the enduring maple leaf motif, resonated with the public as a symbol of the country's economic evolution.