World Coin BookWorld coin encyclopedia

Elizabeth II reign and portrait era

Elizabeth II Fifty Cents (1953–1964)

This page applies the requested 1953–1964 Elizabeth II browse lens to the reviewed fifty cents design, technical-standard, and annual-production evidence.

Scope is limited to the verified type or program level. Issue mintages, prices, varieties, and survival estimates are not inferred from this summary.

Elizabeth II Fifty Cents (1953–1964) obverseElizabeth II Fifty Cents (1953–1964) reverse
Representative 1964 obverse/reverse catalog pair for Elizabeth II Fifty Cents (1953–1964); an identification aid, not a grading photograph. Coins and Canada / Numicanada; catalog cleanup by World Coin Book
2Design generations
12Annual rows
1Technical standards
3Cited sources

Fifty cents reign and portrait eras

Victoria Fifty Cents (1870–1901) · 1870–1901Edward VII Fifty Cents (1902–1910) · 1902–1910George V Fifty Cents (1911–1921) · 1911–1921George V Fifty Cents (1922–1936) · 1922–1936George VI Fifty Cents (1937–1952) · 1937–1952Elizabeth II Fifty Cents (1953–1964) · 1953–1964Elizabeth II Fifty Cents (1965–1989) · 1965–1989Elizabeth II Fifty Cents (1990–2003) · 1990–2003Elizabeth II Fifty Cents (2004–2023) · 2004–2023Charles III Fifty Cents (2023–2026) · 2023–2026

Know the boundary before the date

Begin with the recorded obverse (Elizabeth II effigy (Mary Gillick portrait)) and reverse (Simplified Canadian Arms; Canadian Arms, updated to the current arms in 1997). Then compare date, denomination, portrait, edge, diameter, weight, composition, and finish; a colour change or worn detail alone is not a reliable attribution.

  • Primary identifiers — Reverse: Simplified Canadian Arms; Canadian Arms, updated to the current arms in 1997. Obverse: Elizabeth II effigy (Mary Gillick portrait).
  • Authority and dates — Canada; recorded range 1953–1964.
  • Evidence boundary — Unknown specifications remain unknown; unverified varieties, mintages, and prices stay outside the public catalog.

The historical scope of Elizabeth II Fifty Cents (1953–1964)

The cited sources place this category under Canada and within the chronology shown here. Where a label crosses designs, authorities, metals, or portrait transitions, the page keeps those distinctions visible instead of merging them into one invented type.

The catalog places this record in the Fifty cents branch, records its material scope as silver; silver, nickel, and plated-steel generations, and records its finish as circulation. Those fields are supported by the sources listed below; missing issue-level transitions are not filled by inference.

  1. 1959 · Modified Arms — Thomas Shingles' treatment followed the government's updated Arms.

Design and identification

Begin with the recorded obverse (Elizabeth II effigy (Mary Gillick portrait)) and reverse (Simplified Canadian Arms; Canadian Arms, updated to the current arms in 1997). Then compare date, denomination, portrait, edge, diameter, weight, composition, and finish; a colour change or worn detail alone is not a reliable attribution.

  • Simplified Arms Fifty Cents · 1937–1958 · Not established — Simplified Canadian Arms. Simplified Canadian Arms.
  • Modified Arms Fifty Cents · 1959–present · Thomas Shingles — Canadian Arms, updated to the current arms in 1997. Modified Canadian Arms.

Finish by checking the edge (reeded), composition (silver; silver, nickel, and plated-steel generations), and any recorded dimensions or weight; colour or wear alone is not enough for attribution.

Official annual production

Annual rows are denomination totals filtered to this requested era. They may combine portraits, commemorative reverses, or parallel formats and are not presented as portrait-only production.

Displayed-row sum: 42,502,125 · 12 official annual rows

Three anchors that do not depend on price

  • 1953–1964 — The verified range assigned to Elizabeth II Fifty Cents (1953–1964) in this catalog.
  • Simplified Canadian Arms; Canadian Arms, updated to the current arms in 1997 — The principal reverse is the first type-level attribution check.
  • silver; silver, nickel, and plated-steel generations — Compare it with the reeded edge and any recorded measurements.

Specifications within this type

1920 – 1967 · Round

Composition
80% silver, 20% copper
Weight
11.66 g
Diameter
29.72 mm
Thickness
Not stated

Official annual production catalog

Annual rows are denomination totals filtered to this requested era. They may combine portraits, commemorative reverses, or parallel formats and are not presented as portrait-only production.

YearDesign contextTechnical standardMintage
1953Simplified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g1,630,429
1954Simplified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g506,305
1955Simplified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g753,511
1956Simplified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g1,379,499
1957Simplified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g2,171,689
1958Simplified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g2,957,266
1959Modified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g3,095,535
1960Modified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g3,488,897
1961Modified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g3,584,417
1962Modified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g5,208,030
1963Modified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g8,348,871
1964Modified Canadian Arms29.72 mm · 11.66 g9,377,676

Collecting paths and checklist

Use the page first as a type or era checklist, then verify each dated issue independently before extending the set. Cleaned surfaces, plated-metal disturbance, patterns, special finishes, and commemorative reverses require separate treatment; catalog context is not an appraisal or investment promise.

  • One-coin type study — Choose one representative that clearly shows the principal obverse and reverse, then learn the type boundary.
  • Design and technical generations — Add a generation only when sources confirm a change in composition, shape, size, edge, or principal design.
  • Source-backed date study — Expand into dates or varieties only after issue identity, specifications, and production evidence are verified field by field.

Collector checklist

  • Do not clean the coin; cleaning changes surfaces and can obscure evidence.
  • Compare date, portrait, design, edge, weight, diameter, and metal response together.
  • Have consequential or high-value attributions reviewed by an appropriate specialist or certification service.
  • Catalog information is research context, not an appraisal, offer, or investment guarantee.

Data scope

This page publishes reviewed denomination- and major-type-level evidence. Years not published by the Mint remain unknown, zero appears only when the source reports zero, and prices or survivor estimates are not inferred from production.

Sources

  1. 50 centsRoyal Canadian Mint

    Fifty-cent design generations, technical chronology, and infrequent circulation.

  2. Currency ActJustice Laws Website, Government of Canada

    The Canadian dollar, cent relationship, current-coin definition, and legal-tender limits.

  3. Faces of the MonarchRoyal Canadian Mint

    Canadian coin obverse portrait chronology through Charles III.