Canadian Proof-Like (PL) Sets- Part 1
 
Introduction 

 The Canadian proof-like, or PL, sets are superior quality strikings of the regular uncirculated coins. In many cases, the proof-like sets are much better quality than the regular circulating coins. They usually contain the regular issues for the year, even when the regular issue designs were not issued, such as when a commemorative design was used on the smaller denominations. (Canada has more commemorative quarters issued for circulation than commemorative dollars, for example. The commemorative quarters were usually not issued in the proof-like sets.)
    They have been packaged in several different varieties, but are usually found in a flat Pliofilm holder that keeps them looking nice and undamaged. They are widely collected for their quality, as an easy way to collect all the regular issues for a year, as a way of getting some scarce coins at a low price, and other reasons. Their story is fascinating. 

 History

  In 1949, the Canadian Mint installed new coinage presses. They produced a higher quality coin than any that had been issued before, as is shown by the beautiful 1949 dollar, which is one of my favorite designs. They also experimented with different shipping methods- the dollars were shipped in cardboard tubes, rather than loose in bags, giving a large coin with many less than normal bagmarks. The hobby of coin collecting was in its infancy in Canada at this time, and I think the lovely design, issued for circulation, encouraged Canadians to collect their coinage.
   In 1954, it was decided to issue special year sets to the public. According to the mint, they were simply uncirculated coins. Collectors saw them as something else, and they were. They were specially selected, sometimes made from new dies, specially prepared to look nice, and specially handled so that most of the bag-marks that appear on normal circulating coins were absent. Jim Charlton coined the term “Proof-Like,” and that is what collectors have called them to this day.
   In 1961 the holder was changed to the more-familiar Pliofilm wrapper, which has been used, with very few exceptions, to this day. They were first in a brown kraft-paper envelope, then in a white envelope with blue printing, and then issued in envelopes with colorful designs. There have been some special issues, which seem almost unknown to most collectors, and some varieties of certain coins were issued in the proof-like sets.                                                                                                                    The designs follow the regular Canadian coins- when the $2 coin was issued, the number of coins in the proof-like sets grew from 6 to 7. There have been some years which have several different varieties of sets, showing different coins issued during the year, which are not regular issues. 

Regular Designs-Obverse

   The obverse of the first proof-like sets shows the Young Head design of Mary Gillick. It was issued in 2 varieties- the higher relief no shoulder strap variety, and the lower relief shoulder strap variety. In sets, the high relief no shoulder straps variety appears only on very few of the one cent coins of 1954.
   The second Bust type was the Mature, or Tiara Portrait, designed by Arnold Machin. It was first issued in 1965. This design was modified in size from about 1980.
   The third bust type was the Crowned Portrait, designed by Dora de Pedery-Hunt. It was issued from 1990.
   The fourth bust type was the Uncrowned portrait, designed by Susanna Blunt. It was issued from 2003. It shows a much more matronly portrait. The last two designers are both Canadian.

Regular Designs- Reverse

   The regular designs for Canadian coins date from the issues of 1937, developed for the new coinage of George VI. The 1 Cent, designed by George Kruger-Gray, shows a pair of maple leafs on one stalk. The 5 cent shows the beaver on his lodge. It is again designed by George Kruger-Gray. The 10 cent and 25 cent coins were designed by Emanuel Hahn. The 10 cent coin shows the Bluenose, a Nova Scotia schooner, which won records and races with its speed. The 25 cent coin shows a caribou.
   The 50 cent coin has a different history. The original design was by George Kruger-Gray. The first Canadian coat of Arms design was used from 1937 to 1954. The coins originally have the motto under the coat of arms “A MARI USQUE AD MARE”, or “From Sea to Sea.” In 1955, the design was made smaller.  In 1959, the shield was made much thinner, and in 1960, the colour representation on the shield was corrected. In 1977 and again in 1978, the coat of arms was modified, becoming smaller, and then changing back to the earlier design. In 1997, a new coat of arms was issued. It has a new motto, “DESIDERANTES MELOIREM PATRIAM”, or “They desire a better country.”  The flower arrangements have been changed, and the bottom of the design is flat.
    The 1 Dollar coin has traditionally had a design by Emanuel Hahn, showing an Indian and a voyageur in a canoe, transporting goods marked with the Hudson’s Bay Company bale mark, past an island with wind-swept trees, and the Northern Lights in the sky. This design has small varieties in the water lines during various years. It was modified to become smaller in 1977. In 1988 the new design with the loon (hence the nickname “Loonie”) was issued. It was designed by Robert Carmichael.                                 The 2 Dollar (Toonie) design, by Brent Townsend, was introduced in 1996. It shows a Polar Bear on an ice floe.

Coin size and Composition

                     Weight          Composition                                                Diameter            Thickness
 1 Cent round, except during 1982-1996, when coins are 12 sided
 1953-1979   3.24 grams.   0.980 copper, 0.015 zinc, 0.005 tin.           19.05 mm           1.55 mm
 1980-1981   2.80 grams        “            “          “                                    19.00 mm           1.38 mm

 1982-1996   2.50 grams        “            “          “                                    19.1 mm             1.45 mm
 1997-2004   2.25 grams    copper-plated zinc                                      19.05 mm           1.45 mm
 2002P- on    2.35 grams    multi-plated steel                                         19.05 mm           1.45 mm
                                           (copper on nickel on steel core)

 5 Cent 12-sided 1953-1961, round 1963-date
 1953-1954   4.54 grams   Chromium/nickel/steel centre                         20.9 mm (sides) 1.90 mm
 1955-1962   4.54 grams   1.00 nickel                                                    20.9 mm (sides) 1.90 mm
 1963-1967   4.54 grams   1.00 nickel                                                    21.21 mm          1.75 mm

 1968-1981   4.54 grams   1.00 nickel                                                     21.21 mm          1.80 mm
 1982-1989   4.54 grams   0.75 copper, 0.25 nickel                                21.21 mm           1.75 mm
 1990-2000   4.6 grams     0.75 copper, 0.25 nickel                                21.2 mm             1.76 mm
 2001- on      3.95 grams    multi-ply plated steel                                      21.1 mm             1.76 mm
                                          (nickel on copper on nickel on steel core)

10 Cents round
1953-1967    2.33 grams     0.800 silver, 0.200 copper                            18.03 mm          1.16 mm
1968-2000    2.07 grams     1.00 nickel                                                    18.03 mm          1.25 mm
2001- on       1.75 grams      multi-ply plated steel                                     18.03 mm          1.22 mm
                                             (nickel on copper on nickel on steel core)

25 Cents round
1953-1967     5.83 grams     0.800 silver, 0.200 copper                            23.88 mm           
1968-1989     5.07 grams     1.00 nickel                                                    23.88 mm       
1990-2000     5.05 grams     1.00 nickel                                                    23.88 mm
2001- on        4.4 grams        multi-ply plated steel                                     23.58 mm         1.58 mm
                                             (nickel on copper on nickel on steel core)     

50 Cents round
1953-1967     11.66 grams    0.800 silver, 0.200 copper                            29.72 mm         2.00 mm
1968-1979       8.10 grams    1.00 nickel                                                    27.13 mm         1.93 mm
1980-2000       8.10 grams    1.00 nickel                                                    27.13 mm         1.90 mm 2001- on          6.9 grams       multi-ply plated steel                                     27.13 mm         1.95 mm

1 Dollar round
1953-1967     23.33 gm         0.800 silver, 0.200 copper                            36.00 mm    
1968-1986     15.62 gm         1.00 nickel                                                    32.13 mm
 
1 Dollar 11 sided
1987                7.00 gm          0.915 nickel, 0.085 bronze                           26.72 mm        1.95 mm
1988-2002       7.00 gm          0.915 nickel, 0.085 bronze                           26.50 mm        1.75 mm
2003-on           7.00 gm          0.915 nickel, 0.085 bronze                            26.50 mm       1.95 mm

2 Dollars round
All issues     7.3 grams    ring- 0.99 nickel                          28.0 mm       1.80 mm
                    Centre- 0.92 copper, 0.06 aluminum, 0.02 nickel    16.8 mm