Reverse: Along the rim on top, “CANADA”. In the center, a six-sided dendrite ice crystal (a snowflake) with seven Swarovski crystal inserts. Along the rim at the bottom, the year of issue.

Obverse: : The portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Along the rim, the face value on the left, and "ELIZABETH II" on the right. At the bottom, the Royal Canadian Mint mark.

As water vapor freezes within a cloud, temperature, wind and humidity will influence the size and shape of the ice crystals that fall to the ground. Sometimes they will clump together to form large, wet flakes. Or, they'll fall as dry, powdery snow. But if the conditions are just right and the ice crystals can grow large and drift gently earthward without clumping together, the result is a flurry of endless masterpieces—those elaborate star-shaped flakes.

With so much of its activity dependent upon and shaped by winter's frozen marvels, Canada has become known internationally for its scientific contributions to snow and ice research. The world's most accurate gauge for recording snowfall and automated sensors that measure snow accumulation and melt on major glaciers and ice sheets are found in Canada.