Obverse: the obverse of the coin depicts Queen Elizabeth II. The coin is depicted on the obverse with the words 'ELIZABETH II D-G-REGINA' embossed on the sides.
Reverse: depicts the arrival of Captain James Cook at the Straits of Nutka in April 1778. Above: country of origin and denomination 'CANADA DOLLAR'. The year of Captain Cook's arrival at the Strait of Nutka is engraved on the bottom.