1981 Canada Elizabeth II modified 25 Cents Proof

About the 1981 Canada Elizabeth II modified 25 Cents Proof

It is struck at the Royal Canadian Mint facilities in Ottawa and Winnipeg. The obverse features Arnold Machin's mature effigy of the Queen wearing a tiara, reworked with a smaller head and adjusted proportions that give the design more open field and a cleaner, more balanced appearance. The surrounding legend is ELIZABETH II D G REGINA. On the reverse, Emanuel Hahn's celebrated caribou head continues the motif first introduced during the reign of George VI, one of the most enduring and recognizable images in Canadian numismatics. Composed of 99.9% nickel, the coin is notably durable and magnetic, a practical choice that reflects the Mint's earlier move away from silver in circulating coinage. For collectors, the type is valued for the challenge of distinguishing the modified portrait from its predecessor, which demands careful attention to the size and placement of the effigy. It also offers a satisfying opportunity to assemble complete sets across its various strikes and mint facilities. Its pairing of a refined royal portrait with Hahn's iconic wildlife design makes it a rewarding and historically representative piece for anyone studying the development of Canada's modern decimal coinage.