50 Cents - Elizabeth II with Tiara / Coat of Arms (1968 - 1989)

The 50-cent coin bears the Canadian Coat of Arms. It honours the four founding nations of Canada: England, Scotland, Ireland and France. The inscription, "A Mari usque ad Mare," means "from sea to sea"; the second inscription, "Desiderantes meliorem patriam," means "they desire a better country." The current design was produced by former Royal Canadian Mint engraver Thomas Shingles and was first used in 1959. In recent decades, the fifty-cent circulation coin has not been widely used in day-to-day transactions, yet it remains popular with coin collectors.

Obverse

Coin depicts the Tiara design of Queen Elizabeth II with the Latin inscription:

ELIZABETH II D • G • REGINA meaning "Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, the Queen

Reverse

Features the Canadian Coat of Arms as described by the Royal proclamation of November 21, 1921.