Coin Profiles: Canadian Maritime Coins

Coins are made for different purposes. One of the many reasons why coins are made is to commemorate a certain event in the history of the country or state it represents. Canadian coins, for example, have a reputation for representing the many highlights of Canadian history. One of these commemorative coins is the Canadian Maritime Coins.

Canadian Maritime Bronze Coins were made from 1861 to 1947. This was in celebration of Newfoundland’s union to the Canadian Confederation. Newfoundland was the last of the independent provinces to join the confederation.

This series of coins is composed of 4 coins from different provinces that have joined the confederation. Because all the independent provinces have united into one state, which is now Canada, they produced coins to level their monetary system with that of the United States of America.  In 1860, New Brunswick dollar was made. The coins were struck at the Royal Mint in London and were dated 1861 to 1864. These dollars were made to be of equal value to the gold dollar of the United States of America.

The obverse side of the New Brunswick cent featured Queen Victoria as was designed and engraved by Leonard C. Wyon of the Royal Mint. It was a similar design to the Canadian cent and Great Britain’s halfpenny. The reverse side of the coin was unique, however. A floral wreath surrounding a crown was featured on this side—which was intricately designed. This reverse side design was from C. Hill, and this design was the basis for the Nova Scotia bronze coins also. The production of New Brunswick coins came to a stop as it joined the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

The next coin in the Canadian Maritime series is the Nova Scotia coins. These coins are highly similar to those of New Brunswick. The notable difference is that these coins were valued for five dollars to the British pound sterling. All Nova Scotia coins also ceased in production when it joined the Dominion of Canada in the same year New Brunswick had.

Also a part of the Canadian Maritime Coin series is the Prince Edward Island coins. These bronze cents were produced at a privately owned mint—which is the Heaton Mint in Birmingham, England. The obverse features a portrait of Queen Victoria, which is identical to the Jamaican halfpenny. The reverse design was based on the provincial seal. It features the mighty English oak protecting three saplings, which represent the three counties of the Island. Unlike the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia coins, the Prince Edward Island coins continued in production even after it joined the dominion in 1867.

Now the last, but certainly not the least, are the Newfoundland coins. From 1865 to 1936, bronze cents that were similar to Canadian cents were struck for Newfoundland. These cents were designed like those of the other provinces; featuring a floral wreath surrounding the crown of St. Edward. The obverse also featured the portrait of Queen Victoria. Most of these bronze cents were struck at the Royal Mint, although some that are dated 1872 and 1876 were found to have been minted by Heaton Mint in Birmingham.

After Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation in 1949, the move ended a colorful era in Canadian numismatics.

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