Canadian Coins & Banknotes Trivia

1. For the Silver Jubilee of which British monarch were the first Voyageur Dollars issued into circulation?

From Quiz Classic Canadian Coins: Dollar Coins

Answer: George V

If you are familiar with the British monarchy, you may have known that George V (1910-1936) was the only one of these monarchs to celebrate a Silver Jubilee (in 1935). Edward VII (1901-1910), Edward VIII (1936), and George VI (1936-1952) all had reigns under 25 years. The obverse (or front) of the coin shows a crowned George V looking to the left. The inscription surround the head is in Latin and translated reads "George V, King Emperor, in the 2tth year of his reign". On the reverse (or back) of the coin the word Canada is above the central image. Below the image is 1935 and Dollar. The image is a voyageur (fur trader) and a member of the First Nations paddling a canoe. The reverse image was popular enough that it was used on the dollar coins in many of the next 50-odd years. In those other years, though, it is not considered a commemorative image.

From Quiz Ten Facts About Canadian Coins

Answer: George V

The Voyageur Dollar was first minted in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V (1910-1936). In 1936, a coin bearing the likeness of George V and with the same reverse design (two men paddling a canoe) was used on dollar coins released to general circulation. About 429,000 silver dollars were issued in 1935 and about 308,000 in 1936.

From Quiz Canadian Circulation Coins - Part 1

Answer: 1858

Political wrangling throughout the 1850's delayed the introduction of government currency by several years. A key issue was whether to follow the British pounds, shillings and pence system, or to conform with the United States and issue decimal dollars and cents. The latter system was chosen based on ease of calculation, and that the U.S. was considered more likely to be the future country's primary trading partner. Good call!

From Quiz Canadian 125th Anniversary Quarters

Answer: a covered bridge

I remember covered bridges were all over New Brunswick when I was much younger. It used to be a very common bridge type over streams and rivers down home. Sadly most are gone now. The Hartland covered bridge at over 1200 feet long is the longest in the world. The one on the coin is much shorter, with trees in the background.

From Quiz Canadian Banknotes of 1935

Answer: King George V

Were you Victorious? In World War II the V for victory symbol was used extensively by the Allies. OK, seeing King George died in 1936, and the V in his name means 'five' it wasn't such a great hint... King George V reigned from 1910 - 1936. He was not in the best of health in later years, with lung problems. The face of the one dollar note is black with a green tint. The back of this note and all other notes of the 1935 series is highly detailed, with the same allegorical theme on them continuing into the 1937 issue although they were switched around on a few notes. The 1935 one dollar note has a green background with an agriculture theme. It shows a seated female at a table with farming tools, vegetables, and produce around her. I couldn't resist putting 'Boy George' in the answers (and if you don't know who he is, I'm way to old for this...).

From Quiz Canadian Coins

Answer: each denomination has two variations

In 2003 a new effigy of Queen Elizabeth II was designed for new coin mintage. But some were minted with the effigy used previously. Both variations were released into circulation.

From Quiz Ten Facts About Canadian Coins

Answer: Newfoundland

Newfoundland issued coins in several denominations between 1865 and 1947. Coins were issued in the values of one cent, five cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 25 cents, and 50 cents. (The 25 cent coins were issued after the last issue of 20 cent coins.) An issue of gold two dollar coins occurred between 1865 and 1888. Newfoundland became part of Canada in 1949 and formally changed its name to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001. Nova Scotia issued half cent and one cent coins in 1861 and 1864 (before joining the Dominion of Canada in 1867). New Brunswick issued half cent, one cent, five cent, 10 cent, and 20 cent coins between 1861 and 1864 (before joining in 1867). Prince Edward Island issued one cent coins in 1871 (before joining in 1873).

From Quiz Canadian 125th Anniversary Quarters

Answer: an Inuksuk

A Inuksuk is a stone statue made by the Inuit. They can vary in size from a stone or two to a large statue. They can have several meanings (spiritual, good hunting, navigation, etc.) but most people are familiar with the one that looks like a person standing.

From Quiz 'Pennies' From Heaven Canadian Style

Answer: 1922

Until 1922, Canadian five cent coins were made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. In 1922, a larger Canadian five cent coin was issued which was made of 100% nickel.

From Quiz Canadian Banknotes of 1935

Answer: Mercury

The transportation allegory ("allegory" means, according to the trusty Webster dictionary: 'the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence; also : an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expression') on the back of this note is in blue and shows Mercury (Roman god of trade, travel and messages), standing in the middle of the note, with wings on his helmet and feet, carrying his caduceus. Along with the ships, trains and planes on this design, he represents speed and travel. The face of the note is black with a blue tint. It features Queen Mary in the portrait.

From Quiz Canadian 1967 Centennial Coins

Answer: Dove

I actually thought this coin has a pigeon on it when I first saw it and wondered why are they using a dirty old pigeon? (Pigeons on dairy farms were NOT clean). Turns out it's a dove. The dove was chosen because it's a common bird in Canada and it is a symbol for peace.

From Quiz Canadian Coins

Answer: Yes, but it was a commemorative note

In 1935, the Bank of Canada issued a 25 dollar banknote to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of king George V.

From Quiz Classic Canadian Coins: Dollar Coins

Answer: Houses of Parliament

The 1939 dollar with the Houses of Parliament on the rear was minted in greater numbers than the collective total of the 1935-1938 Canadian dollars. This provided enough coins for commercial needs that Canadian dollars were not minted from the years 1940 to 1944. The visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to both Canada and the United States took place over May and June 1939 (on the eve of World War Two). George VI had previously visited Canada before he had become king. The King visited the Houses of Parliament and personally gave royal assent to several bills passed by the Canadian legislature. Canada's Parliament was established in 1867 at the time the Dominion of Canada was formed. The Western Department Building (first built in 1865) is where the Parliament meets. The building's architectural style is Victorian High Gothic.

From Quiz Ten Facts About Canadian Coins

Answer: Morse Code

The sentence is inscribed in Morse code on the reverse of the coin near the rim. The reverse design also features a flaming torch and a large Capital V that represents both the word victory and the Roman numeral for five. Thomas Shingles created the design for the coin. The 1943 coins were made of a copper and zinc alloy known as tombac and the 1944-1945 coins were made of chrome-plated steel.

From Quiz Canadian Circulation Coins - Part 1

Answer: H

The "H" stands for Ralph Heaton & Sons. Originally a private company, and later The Mint, Birmingham, Heaton's was often contracted by the Royal Mint to strike coins throughout the British Empire when the workload outstripped the Royal Mint's capacity, including some issues for the colony of Newfoundland and one (the 1871 cent) for P.E.I.

From Quiz Canadian 125th Anniversary Quarters

Answer: a dory

The boat on the Newfoundland coin is a dory, small sturdy flat bottom boat that the fishermen would use to go out in to catch fish. The coin shows a fisherman heading out (or coming back home) in one.

From Quiz 'Pennies' From Heaven Canadian Style

Answer: We win when we work willingly.

The phrase 'We win when we work willingly' written in Morse or International Code, appeared along the rim on the reverse (tails) side of the five cent coins in the years 1943, 1944 and 1945.

From Quiz Canadian Banknotes of 1935

Answer: Wallis Simpson

King Edward VIII gave it all up for the love of Wallis Simpson. He (and others) thought the resulting scandal would not reflect well on the Royal family or Britain, so he resigned as king. They married and Edward became Duke of Windsor and she became Duchess of Windsor. Before World War II they visited Germany and visited personally with Adolf Hitler. Edward thought old Adolf was a 'nice chap' and returned Nazi salutes during his visit. Many suspected them of being Nazi sympathizers during World War II. Edward died at 77 in 1972, Wallis passed away in 1986. Need more after that? OK! The face of the note is black with an orange tint and the back is orange, featuring a seated naked looking male with symbols of electricity around him, such as the hydro electric dam and lake behind him. Maybe he just had a swim in the dam, and that's why he has no clothes on?

From Quiz Canadian 1967 Centennial Coins

Answer: Rabbit

The 5 cent or nickel features the rabbit, a common creature in Canada. Beatrix Potter did the Peter Rabbit children's books. The original design was a spruce tree but it turned out too complicated so they went with rabbit design. The regular nickel may be more familiar to you with its engraving of the beaver on his dam, and the maple leaves.

From Quiz Canadian Coins

Answer: There are three variations

Three different 1947 five cent coins are out there. The differences are subtle, and one is accidental. One had nothing beside date (1947). The other had a tiny maple leaf beside the year. The final, accidental, variation merely has a dot beside the date. This is accidental because it's the result of a defective die that was supposed to have the leaf.

From Quiz Classic Canadian Coins: Dollar Coins

Answer: India had left the British Empire

Why would India leaving the empire impact Canadian coins? Canadian coins, like British coins, mentioned that King George was also the emperor of India. When India gained independence, the inscription on the coins needed to change. The maple leaf was a stop gap used until new coin dies could be prepared without a reference to the Emperor. The 1947 dollars also featured varieties with a pointed "7" in the date as well as a blunter "7".

From Quiz Ten Facts About Canadian Coins

Answer: Twenty-five cents

One commemorative 25 cent coin was released each month of 1992 as part of the program with the mintage of each coin in the 10 to 15 million range. No coin commemorating Nunavut was issued in 1992 as that territory was created out of the Northwest Territories in 1997. The program was very successful and is seen as an inspiration for the "State Quarters" circulating commemorative program (1999-2008) in the United States.

From Quiz Canadian Circulation Coins - Part 1

Answer: January 2, 1908

The original mint building has stood for over a century at 320 Sussex Drive in Ottawa. The presses were officially switched on by the Governor-General and his wife, Earl and Lady Grey. At the time the Mint was built, its annual production capacity was expected to be 20 million pieces. Within a decade, the facility was operating above this level, peaking at over 42 million coins during 1920.

From Quiz Canadian 125th Anniversary Quarters

Answer: Manitoba

The Hudson Bay Company (established in 1670!) would build a fort or trading post and trade for pelts and furs. The Manitoba coin shows one such fort. The Manitoba license plate motto is "Friendly Manitoba".

From Quiz Canadian Banknotes of 1935

Answer: purple

Purple would be the colour of the ten dollar note, including the 1937 and 1954 series, up to the 1969-1975 issue when the bank started using multicoloured tints to reduce counterfeiting (the ten dollar note changed in 1971). The current issue (2004 note) is still mostly purple but does have other colours in it, such as the red poppies on the back. The face of the 1935 note is black with a purple tint, and features Princess Mary on it. On the back, in purple, is a harvest vignette, with a seated female surrounded by vegetables and fruits.

From Quiz Canadian 1967 Centennial Coins

Answer: mackerel

The Canadian Mint wanted the fish to be changed to a salmon, but Mr Colville stuck to his guns and stayed with his mackerel. The ten cent piece with a few exceptions over the years usually shows the Nova Scotia Schooner 'Bluenose'.

From Quiz Canadian Coins

Answer: one dollar coin

The Canadian one dollar circulation coin that was first issued in 1987 features a loon on its reverse.

From Quiz Classic Canadian Coins: Dollar Coins

Answer: Newfoundland

In 2001, Newfoundland formally changed its name to Newfoundland and Labrador. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Newfoundland (then a British colony) issued its own distinct run of circulating coinage with values from one cent to two dollars. The reverse of the 1949 dollar shows an image of the "Matthew", the ship which John Cabot and trew sailed on from Bristol, England to Newfoundland in 1497.

From Quiz Ten Facts About Canadian Coins

Answer: One Cent

The Province of Canada (roughly equivalent to southern Ontario and southern Quebec) issued coins in the denominations of 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, and 20 cents in 1858. An additional issue of 1 cent coins was released in 1859. Because of the large number of cents issued in those two years (approximately 10 million), the first issue of 1 cent coins by the Dominion of Canada did not occur until 1876. By comparison, 5 cent, 10 cent, 25 cent (not 20 cent), and 50 cent coins were all issued in 1870.

From Quiz 'Pennies' From Heaven Canadian Style

Answer: G.E. Kruger-Gray

Canadian artist GE Kruger-Gray designed the obverse (tails) sides of the Canadian one cent and five cent coins. His initials KG appear on these coins.

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