How this calculator works
The calculator makes the amount with the fewest coins by working from the largest denomination down: as many toonies as fit, then loonies, then quarters, dimes and nickels. Each coin then contributes its scheduled weight from the Royal Canadian Mint Act, and the weights are added. Because the 1 cent coin was withdrawn from circulation in 2013, cash amounts are rounded to the nearest 5 cents first, so a total of $12.52 is counted as $12.50. The answer assumes the pile is all coin and no notes, since paper and polymer notes are far lighter per dollar.
Formula
For a rounded amount A in cents and denominations d from 200 down to 5, coins of each denomination = floor(A / d), and A is reduced by that product before the next denomination. Total weight = the sum over denominations of coins x scheduled weight, with 6.92 g for the $2 coin, 6.27 g for $1, 6.90 g for 50 cents, 4.40 g for 25 cents, 1.75 g for 10 cents and 3.95 g for 5 cents.
Worked example
One hundred dollars becomes fifty $2 coins. At 6.92 g each that is 346 g. A mixed amount such as $3.35 becomes one $2 coin, one $1 coin, one 25 cent coin and one 10 cent coin, weighing 6.92 + 6.27 + 4.40 + 1.75 = 19.34 g across four coins.
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Frequently asked questions
Why do five cent coins weigh less than quarters if both are steel?
They are different sizes. The 5 cent coin is 21.2 mm across and the quarter is 23.88 mm, so the larger quarter holds more metal and weighs 4.40 g against 3.95 g.
Why does my cash amount get rounded?
Canada stopped distributing pennies in 2013. Cash transactions round to the nearest 5 cents, while electronic payments are still charged to the cent, so cash piles always land on a multiple of 5 cents.
Should notes count toward the weight?
This page counts coins only, because notes are used for larger amounts and weigh far less per dollar. A polymer Canadian note weighs under a gram, so including notes would make the answer meaningless.
Do the weights change for older coins?
Older coins minted before the steel and nickel-plated steel compositions can weigh a little more. The published schedule figures used here describe the coins in circulation today.