If you’ve ever admired the colourful Canadian bills or held a loonie in your hand and wondered about its story, then this guide is for you.
Whether you’re a newcomer to Canada, teaching your kids about money, or just curious about the designs, this post will walk you through everything you need to know about Canadian bills and coins, how they’re made, and the meanings behind their beautiful designs.
What Is Canada’s Official Currency?
Canada’s currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), symbolized as $ or CA$. One dollar equals 100 cents.
- Banknotes (bills) are issued by the Bank of Canada.
- Coins are produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.
Together, they create one of the world’s most secure, artistic, and durable currencies.
🏦 Source: Bank of Canada. (2024).
Canadian Coins: The Loonie, Toonie, and More
Canadian coins are known for their wildlife symbols and creative nicknames.
| Coin | Value | Common Name | Design | Metal Composition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cent | Discontinued (2013) | Penny | Maple leaves | Copper-plated steel |
| 5 cents | $0.05 | Nickel | Beaver | Nickel-plated steel |
| 10 cents | $0.10 | Dime | Bluenose schooner | Nickel-plated steel |
| 25 cents | $0.25 | Quarter | Caribou | Nickel-plated steel |
| 50 cents | $0.50 | Fifty-cent piece | Canadian Coat of Arms | Nickel |
| $1 | $1.00 | Loonie | Common loon bird | Bronze-plated nickel |
| $2 | $2.00 | Toonie | Polar bear | Bimetallic (aluminum-bronze center, nickel outer ring) |
💡 Fun Fact: The term “Loonie” came from the loon featured on the $1 coin introduced in 1987, and the $2 coin was playfully named the “Toonie”, short for “two-loonie.”
Source: Royal Canadian Mint. (2024).
Canadian Banknotes: Colorful, Secure, and Full of Meaning
Canada’s paper money is anything but ordinary. Made of polymer, the bills are waterproof, tear-resistant, and embedded with advanced security features such as transparent windows, raised ink, and holographic images.
| Denomination | Colour | Portrait | Theme | Key Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5 | Blue | Sir Wilfrid Laurier | Innovation and space | Canadarm2 & Dextre (Canadian space robotics) |
| $10 | Purple | Viola Desmond | Equality and social justice | Halifax streetcar and civil rights imagery |
| $20 | Green | Queen Elizabeth II | Remembrance and honour | Vimy Ridge Memorial |
| $50 | Red | William Lyon Mackenzie King | Canadian North & exploration | CCGS Amundsen icebreaker |
| $100 | Gold/Brown | Robert Borden | Medical innovation | Discovery of insulin, DNA strand |
Source: Bank of Canada. (2024).
These designs reflect Canada’s values, diversity, innovation, and a deep respect for both history and nature.
How Canadian Money Is Made
The Bank of Canada oversees the design and issuance of banknotes, while the Royal Canadian Mint produces all circulating and commemorative coins.
🏛️ Design & Approval Process
According to the Bank of Canada:
“Designing a new note is a collaboration between artists, engravers, scientists, and security experts. The final design must be approved by the Minister of Finance.”
Source: Bank of Canada – Principles of Bank Note Design
⚙️ Manufacturing Process
- Coins are struck at the Mint’s facilities in Winnipeg.
- Bills are printed using a multi-layer polymer process in Ottawa, with engraved portraits by artists like Jorge Peraland photographs by Ian Jones.
Source: Royal Canadian Mint. (2024).
Who’s on the Canadian Money (2025 Update)
- King Charles III will soon replace Queen Elizabeth II on the $20 bill and all new coin designs, the first major portrait change in decades.
💡 Ready to Make Learning Fun?
Turn this lesson into an exciting activity!
Here are a few fun ways to explore Canadian currency right from home or school:
👉 Coin Sorting Game: Collect different coins and match their names, loonie, toonie, quarter, and more!
🎨 Currency Coloring Activity: Print out colouring pages of Canadian bills and learn their colours, designs, and faces.
➕ Money Math Practice: Help kids count, add, and make change using real or play money.
🖥️ Virtual Visit: Take a free online tour of the Bank of Canada Museum and explore Canada’s money story interactively.
✨ Learning about money has never been this fun. Try one today and make Canadian currency come alive!
