A Guide to Coins of the Canadian Dollar and Their Value
Posted by: Ian Stainton • 17 Feb 2026
Ever come back from a trip with a pocketful of strange coins? It’s a common story. Those coins often end up in a jar on a shelf, completely forgotten. This guide is here to shed some light on the coins of the Canadian dollar, from the famous 'Loonie' and 'Toonie' to the cents that jingle in your change. We’ll look at what makes each one special and, more importantly, show you how to unlock the real value in that leftover currency.
Your Guide to Canadian Dollar Coins
The biggest headache with foreign coins is figuring out how to turn them back into cash. Most people return from Canada with a random mix of coins and have no idea what to do with them. Your local bank probably won’t take them, and who has the time to sort through all those different denominations? This is exactly where our specialist service comes in handy.
Our process is fast, easy, hassle-free, and trusted by major brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. It allows you to exchange foreign coins and notes without any of the usual fuss. You don’t even need to sort your coins—just send them to us, and we take care of everything. This guide will help you identify your Canadian coins and understand their value, turning that forgotten travel money into real cash with a service that is 100% guaranteed.
Understanding the Key Coins
At the heart of Canada's currency are its unique coins, each design celebrating the nation’s wildlife and heritage. The most common ones you’ll see are the one-dollar 'Loonie' and the two-dollar 'Toonie'. You'll also likely find smaller denominations, called cents, which feature iconic Canadian symbols like the beaver and the caribou.
Here’s a quick visual summary of the most common Canadian coins you might have in your collection.
This graphic gives you a great snapshot of the key coins in circulation, highlighting the Loonie, Toonie, and various cents. Getting familiar with these basic designs is the first step to identifying the leftover currency you’ve collected.
Knowing what the coins are is one thing, but the real value is in knowing how to easily convert foreign coins and banknotes back into pounds. Our service cuts through the complexity, turning your entire collection of unsorted world currency into a single, simple payment.
Whether you have a few coins from a recent holiday or a big collection from years of travel, the process should be straightforward. With the right help, you can effortlessly exchange foreign coins, including any old or obsolete currency you might be holding onto. For practical tips on what to do with your leftover money, or even how to donate foreign coins to charity, just visit our homepage to see how our fast, easy, and hassle-free service works.
Understanding the Iconic Loonie and Toonie
If you're talking about coins of the Canadian dollar, two absolute stars steal the show: the one-dollar 'Loonie' and the two-dollar 'Toonie'. More than just pocket change, these coins have become genuine symbols of Canadian identity, and each has a fantastic story that’s made them a staple in everyday life across the country.
Chances are, if you’ve been to Canada, you’ve got a few of these rattling around in your jar of leftover foreign currency. Knowing their history gives them a whole new level of cool and reminds you there’s real value sitting in that old travel money jar.
The Story of the Loonie
Rolled out on June 30, 1987, the one-dollar coin wasn't actually supposed to feature a loon. The original plan was to use the classic Voyageur design from the old silver dollars. But in a bizarre twist, the master dies for the design went missing in transit. To head off any potential for counterfeiting, the Royal Canadian Mint had to pivot—fast.
The replacement design came from artist Robert-Ralph Carmichael and featured a common loon serenely floating on water. This simple, elegant image of a beloved Canadian bird was an instant hit with the public, who quickly nicknamed it the 'Loonie'. The name stuck, and today, everyone knows it.
The Loonie is an eleven-sided, gold-coloured coin made from aureate-plated nickel, so it’s easy to pick out by feel alone. Its arrival signalled a major change, moving away from flimsy one-dollar paper notes towards much more durable and cost-effective coins. If you want a closer look at this particular coin, check out our detailed guide on the 1 Canadian Dollar 'Loonie' coin.
The Innovative Toonie
Building on the Loonie's runaway success, the two-dollar coin—the 'Toonie'—entered circulation on February 19, 1996. The name was a natural, playful follow-up, simply blending "two" with "Loonie." The Toonie was a real game-changer with its bi-metallic design: a shiny outer ring of nickel wrapped around a golden-coloured core of aluminium bronze.
This wasn't just for looks; it was a clever security feature. The reverse side proudly displays a magnificent polar bear on an ice floe, a powerful symbol of Canada’s vast northern wilderness.
The Toonie was a smart move to replace the two-dollar banknote. Why? Because coins last over 20 times longer than paper notes. That incredible durability is exactly why so many of them end up as leftover holiday money all over the world.
These two coins are often the most common you’ll find when it’s time to exchange foreign coins and notes. While your local bank will likely turn them away, our service makes it easy. We're trusted by major charities, supermarkets, airports, and police forces because our process is fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed. You don't even have to sort them; just send us your mixed coins, and we’ll handle the rest.
Modern Security and Design
Both the Loonie and the Toonie have received some high-tech upgrades to keep them a step ahead of counterfeiters. Since 2012, these coins have included laser-marked maple leaves and other tiny engravings that are incredibly difficult for fakers to copy.
These modern touches include:
- Laser Mark Security Feature: A finely textured maple leaf is etched into the coin's surface.
- Virtual Image: Tilt a Toonie, and you’ll see two maple leaves that seem to appear and disappear.
- Edge Lettering: Engraved text around the rim of the Toonie adds yet another layer of security.
These updates ensure the integrity of Canada's currency while beautifully celebrating its national symbols. If you have a stash of Loonies and Toonies, you’re holding a little piece of Canadian innovation. Instead of letting them gather dust, why not convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash? Our hassle-free service turns forgotten currency into spendable funds, giving you a simple solution for your travel leftovers.
Exploring Withdrawn and Rare Canadian Coins
Beyond the familiar Loonie and Toonie, the world of Canadian coinage is full of fascinating stories about coins that have disappeared from our pockets. Looking into these withdrawn and rare pieces isn't just a glimpse into Canada's rich monetary history; it highlights a problem many of us face: what do you do with unusual or old currency that banks simply won't touch?
It’s a familiar story for anyone with a jar of leftover holiday money. You've got a mix of common coins, sure, but probably some oddities you can’t quite place. Our service is designed to solve this exact problem, offering a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to exchange foreign coins and notes, no matter how old or obscure they might be. It’s why we’re trusted by major organisations like airports, supermarkets, and even police forces who regularly end up with large volumes of unsorted, mixed currency.
The Tale of the Discontinued Penny
One of the most well-known withdrawn coins of the Canadian dollar is the one-cent piece—the penny. On February 4, 2013, the Royal Canadian Mint officially stopped distributing this copper-plated coin, simply because it cost more to make than it was worth.
While businesses no longer hand them out as change, the penny is still technically legal tender. Good luck trying to spend them, though—finding a place that will accept them is nearly impossible. This is a perfect example of how quickly currency can become obsolete, leaving you with coins you just can't use. If you have a pile of these, don’t let them sit idle. We specialise in turning these forgotten coins back into cash. You can learn more about the history of the Canadian penny coin first issued in 1920.
The Curious Case of the 50-Cent Piece
While it hasn't been officially withdrawn, the Canadian 50-cent piece is a true rarity in day-to-day circulation, making it something of a collector's curiosity. Its low production numbers tell a fascinating story that mirrors the plight of leftover foreign coins piling up in homes across the UK. Between 2000 and 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint struck fewer than 16 million of these coins, a tiny fraction compared to the billions of other denominations.
In fact, the coin is so scarce that many Canadians have never even seen one, and shopkeepers often reject it. Production for circulation was exceptionally low in some years, with a mintage of just 200,000 in 2005 and zero in 2003 and 2004, as most were reserved for collector sets. If you want to dive deeper into these figures, you can discover more insights about Canadian coins on Wikipedia.
When you think about rare Canadian coins, it’s interesting to consider what makes some of the rarest rocks in the world so sought-after. The principles of scarcity and historical significance apply just as much to coin collecting as they do to geology, turning everyday objects into prized possessions.
The challenge with rare or withdrawn coins is clear: they have value, but it's locked away. Our 100% guaranteed service unlocks that value for you. There's no need to sort your coins or try to identify rarities yourself—we handle everything.
Whether you want to convert foreign coins and banknotes from a recent trip or clear out a collection of obsolete currency, our process is built for simplicity. We provide a straightforward solution to turn your entire collection of leftover foreign currency into a single payment, making it easy to finally cash in on those forgotten coins. To get started, just visit our homepage and see how our fast and trusted service can work for you.
How Canadian Coins Are Minted and Circulated
Ever wondered how those Canadian coins rattling around in your travel jar made their way to the UK? The story is far more connected than you might think, starting right here with our very own Royal Mint. Understanding this journey helps explain why so many Canadian coins end up as leftover foreign currency across the globe—and why a simple way to exchange them is so essential.
This deep historical link is a big reason you might find older Canadian coins mixed in with your change. It also set the stage for the enormous volumes of currency that would eventually be produced, creating the very collections of unsorted coins we specialise in exchanging today.
From London to Ottawa a Minting Story
For many years, Canada's currency had strong British roots. Before it had its own mint, the colony of Canada depended on the Royal Mint in London to produce all its coins. This means many early coins of the Canadian dollar were physically struck right here in the UK and shipped across the Atlantic.
That all changed in 1908 with the opening of the Ottawa branch of the Royal Mint, which later became the fully independent Royal Canadian Mint in 1931. It was a huge step in Canada’s economic independence, giving it full control over its currency production from start to finish.
The sheer volume of coins produced over the decades is staggering. This massive output is a key reason why Canadian currency is so commonly found abroad, often sitting forgotten in drawers and collection jars. Our service was created to solve this exact problem, making it fast and easy to exchange foreign coins and notes.
The numbers really tell the story of this growth.
Canadian Coin Production A Historical Snapshot
This table showcases the dramatic increase in Canadian coin production during key periods, illustrating why these coins are so commonly found abroad.
| Year | Denomination | Total Coins Minted for Circulation |
|---|---|---|
| 1926 | Various Cents | 30,042,161 |
| 1943 | Various Cents | 63,543,130 |
| 1987 | One Dollar | 209,786,000 |
| 1996 | Two Dollars | 375,485,000 |
Just look at that jump—from 30,042,161 coins in 1926 to 63,543,130 by 1943. That's a 111% increase in under two decades! The introduction of the Loonie and Toonie later on caused production to skyrocket even further. You can check out more details about record-breaking mintage years on the Saskatoon Coin Club's site.
The Modern Coin Production Process
Today, the Royal Canadian Mint is a world leader in coin manufacturing, producing billions of coins for Canada and other countries. The process is a fascinating mix of artistry and high-tech engineering, making sure every Loonie and Toonie meets precise standards for weight, size, and security.
This high-volume production is a direct reason for the global spread of Canadian currency. As travellers and businesses move between countries, these coins travel with them, eventually becoming the leftover foreign currency that needs a home. Our service simplifies this by letting you convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash without any fuss.
We’re trusted by major brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, who all handle large volumes of mixed, unsorted currency. We provide a 100% guaranteed service that is fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. There’s no need to sort anything; just send us your collection, and we’ll handle the rest.
Ready to turn that pile of forgotten coins into something useful? Whether you want to cash in or donate foreign coins to charity, we make it simple. Visit our homepage to see how you can unlock the value in your leftover currency today.
How to Exchange Your Canadian Coins for Cash
So, you’ve sorted through your Canadian coins, from everyday Loonies to those old pennies you found stashed away. What now? The next step is turning that pile of metal into actual, spendable cash. A lot of people think this will be a chore, but it really doesn’t have to be. We’ve designed our service to be as simple as possible.
Think of this as your clear, step-by-step guide to converting your leftover coins of the Canadian dollar into money you can use. Whether you’re a traveller home from a trip, a business dealing with foreign payments, or a charity sorting through donations, we’ve built a fast, easy, and hassle-free solution just for you.
Our entire process is built on trust and simplicity. That’s why we’re the chosen partner for major UK brands, including well-known charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. They trust us because we do what we say we will: provide a straightforward way to exchange foreign coins and notes.
Step 1: Get an Instant Quote
First things first, let's find out what your collection is worth. Forget about guesswork or worrying about hidden fees. Our online coin calculator gives you an instant, transparent quote based on a simple metric: the weight of your coins.
This weight-based system is what makes our approach so hassle-free. You don’t need to spend hours sorting different coins or currencies. Just weigh your whole collection of mixed coins, enter the total, and see your valuation. It’s the easiest way to convert foreign coins and banknotes of all kinds in one go.
Step 2: Pack and Send Your Currency
Once you have your quote and you’re ready to go, the next step is packing up your currency. You don’t need any special equipment for this – a sturdy box or a padded envelope will do the trick just fine.
Here’s what makes our service so convenient:
- No Sorting Required: This is the best part. Just gather up all your coins and notes—Canadian or otherwise—and pop them in together. We’ll do all the sorting for you.
- All Currency Accepted: We take current coins, old and obsolete currency, and banknotes from all over the world.
- Simple Postage: Just fill out our online form, print the shipping label, and send your package on its way. It really is that easy.
Our service is 100% guaranteed. From the moment you send your currency, you can have complete peace of mind. If you’re not completely satisfied with our final valuation, we’ll return your currency to you free of charge. No questions asked.
This guarantee is a big reason why so many organisations trust us. They know we stand by our promise to provide a fair, transparent, and reliable service.
Step 3: Receive Your Payment Promptly
After your package arrives with us, our team gets straight to work. Using advanced sorting technology, we verify all the contents and confirm the total value. We then get your payment processed promptly, making sure the funds are with you within five working days.
You can choose how you’d like to be paid, whether that’s a direct bank transfer or via PayPal. The whole process is designed to be as quick and efficient as possible, turning that jar of forgotten coins into useful cash without any fuss. For a deeper dive into how it all works, especially for larger collections, you can find more details in our complete guide to exchanging coins for cash.
At the end of the day, our goal is to provide the ultimate hassle-free solution for your leftover foreign currency. Whether you want to cash in your collection or donate foreign coins to charity, we make it simple.
Donating Your Canadian Coins to Charity
Got a jar of leftover Canadian coins sitting on a shelf? That forgotten holiday money can do more than just collect dust—it can make a real difference. Instead of letting it go to waste, you can turn that small change into a powerful donation for a charity you care about.
It's a surprisingly simple way to give back. We’ve created a straightforward service that bridges the gap between your old leftover foreign currency and the incredible work UK charities do every day. It's a fast, easy, and completely hassle-free way to ensure your coins have a real impact.
A Simple Path to Philanthropy
We believe giving to charity should be easy. That’s why we’ve stripped away all the usual headaches that come with trying to donate foreign coins to charity. Our process is designed to be as simple as possible, so you can support a UK charity of your choice without any fuss.
Here’s how it works:
- Gather Your Currency: Just collect all your leftover Canadian coins and notes. Don't worry about counting or sorting them—there's absolutely no need to sort them.
- Send Them to Us: Pop your entire collection in the post using our simple and secure process.
- Choose Your Charity: Let us know which UK-registered charity you'd like to support.
- We Handle the Rest: We’ll take care of sorting and counting, ensuring the full cash value goes directly to your chosen cause.
Think of it less as a financial transaction and more as a vehicle for positive change. By making it this easy, we help individuals, charities, and our corporate partners turn spare change into a vital resource for those who need it most.
Trusted by Leading Organisations
Our reputation is built on solid partnerships with major organisations that handle huge volumes of foreign currency. From national charities and airports with their giant donation globes to supermarkets and even police forces, we’re their trusted choice. Why? Because our service is efficient, transparent, and 100% guaranteed.
These partners trust us to take their unsorted, mixed-currency collections and turn them into usable funds. This ensures that every last coin gets counted and contributes to their important work, maximising the value of every single donation.
When you choose to convert foreign coins and banknotes into a charitable donation with us, you’re using the exact same proven system relied upon by some of the biggest names in the UK.
Those leftover coins of the Canadian dollar hold real potential. Turn that travel souvenir into a lifeline for a cause you believe in. Visit our homepage today and see just how easy it is to make a difference.
Your Questions About Canadian Coins Answered
Got a few questions before you send off your coins? No problem. We've put together answers to the most common queries we get about exchanging Canadian dollar coins. We want you to feel completely confident about turning that leftover currency into cash.
Do I Need to Sort My Canadian Coins Before Sending Them In?
Absolutely not! This is a key part of our fast, easy, and hassle-free service. Just gather up all your leftover foreign currency—Canadian coins, old European notes, it doesn't matter—and send it all to us in one go. There is no need to sort your coins.
We use advanced sorting technology to handle everything, which saves you a ton of time and effort. It's the same trusted and credible process used by our major partners, including charities, airports, supermarkets, and police forces, who rely on us to process their large, mixed-currency collections efficiently.
Can I Exchange Old Canadian Pennies or Other Obsolete Coins?
Yes, you certainly can. This is a core part of what we do. While banks and high-street exchanges will turn away old or withdrawn currency, we see value in it. That definitely includes the Canadian penny, which was officially taken out of circulation back in 2013. We provide real-world insights on how to handle obsolete currency like this: simply send it to us.
Our service is designed to exchange foreign coins and notes, regardless of their age or status. So, that bag of old pennies and other obsolete coins has real value, and we can unlock it for you. If you're curious about historical figures, you can find cool facts about record-breaking mintage years on the Saskatoon Coin Club's site.
We stand by every transaction with our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our promise is to make sure you get a fair, transparent return on all your currency, giving you complete peace of mind.
How Do I Know I'm Getting a Fair Exchange Rate?
Transparency is at the heart of everything we do. Our online calculator provides a clear, instant quote, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. There are no hidden fees or surprises.
We’ve built our reputation on being fair and straightforward, which is why we’re trusted by major brands. If for any reason you’re not completely happy with our final valuation, we’ll return your currency to you, no questions asked and free of charge. This is a core part of our 100% guaranteed promise.
Ready to unlock the value in your forgotten coins? With our fast, easy, and hassle-free service, you can convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash or a charitable donation today. Our process is trusted by major brands and is 100% guaranteed. Get started now by visiting our homepage.