From 1990 to 2003, Canadian one cent coins continued to feature Queen Elizabeth II, with the obverse updated in 1990 to a new effigy by Dora de Pédery-Hunt. This design depicted a more mature Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting her enduring reign.
The reverse maintained the familiar maple leaf design, a constant since 1937. During this period, the coins were primarily made of copper-plated zinc, introduced in 1997, which further evolved their composition
Collectors find these coins notable for the design update and material changes, with certain mint years being particularly desirable. This era captures the balance between tradition and modernization in Canada's numismatic history.