Reverse A crown, symbol of the British monarchy, is stamped at the top. Crossed maple branches tied together with a ribbon forming a bow run along the left, bottom, and right edges. In the center, a three-line inscription reads '50 cents 1901'.
Obverse Around the edge at the top, left, and right is the text 'VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA', which translates from Latin as 'Victoria, by the grace of God, Queen'. In the center is the left-facing profile of Queen Victoria, with the country name 'CANADA' in English below it.