Reverse At the top is a crown – the symbol of British rulers. To the left, bottom, and right along the rim are crossed maple branches, tied together with a ribbon forming a bow. In the central part, a four-line inscription in English reads '50 cents Canada 1908'. Along the edge of the coin are decorative dot elements.
Obverse In the central part is a right-facing profile of King Edward VII of Great Britain. Along the edge of the coin from left to right runs the text 'EDWARDVS VII DEI GRATIA REX IMPERATOR', which translates from Latin as 'EDWARD VII BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KING EMPEROR'. Below the monarch's portrait is the designer's mark of the British medallist George William de Saulles – 'Des.'. The rim of the coin is decorated with raised dots.