Jump to content

Nickel (Canadian coin)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nickel
Canada
Value0.05 CAD
Mass3.95 g
Diameter21.2 mm
Thickness1.76 mm
Edgesmooth (plain)
CompositionNickel-plated steel
94.5% steel,
3.5% Cu,
2% Ni plating
Years of minting1858–present
Catalog number–
Obverse
DesignCharles III, King of Canada
DesignerSteven Rosati
Design date2023
Reverse
DesignBeaver sitting on a rock
DesignerG.E. Kruger Gray
Design date1937

The Canadian five-cent coin, commonly called a nickel, is a coin worth five cents or one-twentieth of a Canadian dollar. It was patterned on the corresponding coin in the neighbouring United States. It became the smallest-valued coin in the currency upon the discontinuation of the penny in 2013.

History

[edit]
Further information: Coins of the Canadian dollar § History
See also: History of Canadian currency

The "Victory nickel", struck from 1943 to 1945, was the first non-standard circulating Canadian coin other than commemorative dollars; the reverse features a flaming torch and a large V that stands for both Victory and the coin's denomination. The rim denticles were replaced by the phrase "We win when we work willingly" in Morse Code. This design was re-used in 2005 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of V-E Day. Almost uniquely in the history of Canadian coinage, the reverse was engraved to scale by Thomas Shingles; most coin designs are engraved at a much larger scale and reduced with a pantograph.

In 1951, a special commemorative five-cent piece depicting a nickel refinery was struck to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the metal's initial discovery by Swedish chemist Axel F. Cronstedt. Due to the onset of the Korean War, production of this commemorative was halted to preserve nickel for the war effort, resulting in a second non-commemorative 1951 "nickel" made of plated steel.

In 1967, all the circulating coins received a special reverse for the Canadian Centennial; the nickel featured a rabbit.

In proof sets issued since 1996, the five cent coin is made of sterling silver. Some commemorative five cent coins are also made of sterling silver.

Types and specifications

[edit]
Definitive types
Image Years Mass[1][2] Diameter[1][2] Composition[1][2]
1858–1901 1.16 g 15.5 mm 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper
1902–1910 1.16 g 15.5 mm 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper
1911–1921 1.17 g 15.5 mm 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper (1911–1919)
80% silver, 20% copper (1920–1921)
1922–1936 4.54 g 21.21 mm 99.9% nickel
1937–1942 4.54 g 21.21 mm 99.9% nickel
1942–1945 4.54 g 21.3 mm 88% copper, 12% zinc (tombac) (1942–1943)
Chrome plated steel (1944–1945)
1946–1952 4.54 g 21.3 mm 99.9% nickel (1946–1951)
Chrome plated steel (1951–1952)
1953–1964 4.54 g 21.3 mm Chrome plated steel (1953–1954)
99.9% nickel (1955–1964)
1965–1981 4.54 g 21.3 mm 99.9% nickel
1982–1989 4.6 g 21.2 mm 75% copper, 25% nickel
1990–2001, 2006
(No "P"
on obverse) 		4.6 g 21.2 mm 75% copper, 25% nickel
1999–2006
(With "P") 		3.95 g 21.2 mm 94.5% steel, 3.5% copper, 2% nickel plating
2003–2022
(With RCM logo
on obverse) 		3.95 g 21.2 mm 94.5% steel, 3.5% copper, 2% nickel plating
2023–present 3.95 g 21.2 mm 94.5% steel, 3.5% copper, 2% nickel plating

Circulation figures

[edit]

Victoria & Edward VII

[edit]
Year Mintage[3][4] Notes
1858 1,500,000 This figure includes the small date, and large date over small date varieties.
1870 2,800,000 This figure includes the "Flat rim" and "Wire rim" varieties.
1871 1,400,000 Two different varieties have a 1 over 1 and 7 over 7 in the date.
1872 H 2,000,000 The "H" on the coin refers to "Ralph Heaton & Sons".
1874 H 800,000 This figure includes the "Plain 4" and "Crosslet 4" varieties.
1875 H 1,000,000 This figure includes the small and large date varieties.
1880 H 3,000,000
1881 H 1,500,000
1882 H 1,000,000
1883 H 600,000
1884 200,000 Key date, lowest mintage of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
1885 1,000,000 This figure includes the "small 5", "large 5", and " large 5 over small 5" varieties.
1886 1,700,000 This figure includes the "small" and "large 6" varieties.
1887 500,000 Includes a "7 over 7" date variety.
1888 1,000,000
1889 1,200,000
1890 H 1,000,000
1891 1,800,000
1892 860,000
1893 1,700,000
1894 500,000 No coins were minted in 1895.
1896 1,500,000
1897 1,319,283 Varieties include a "wide" and "narrow" 8, and a "narrow 8 over a wide 8" in the date.
1898 580,717
1899 3,000,000
1900 1,800,000 This figure includes the "Oval" and "Round 0's" varieties.
1901 Victoria 2,000,000
1902 Edward VII 2,120,000
1902 H 2,200,000 This figure includes the "large broad" and "small narrow" H varieties.
1903 1,000,000
1903 H 2,640,000
1904 2,400,000
1905 2,600,000 Varieties include a "wide" and "narrow" date and a 5 over 5.
1906 3,100,000 Varieties include a "wide" and "narrow" date and a "low 6".
1907 5,200,000 Varieties include a "wide" and "narrow" date and a "low 7".
1908 1,220,524 Varieties include a "small" and "large" 8 in the date.
1909 1,983,725 This figure includes the "round/rounded" and "pointed" leaves varieties.
1910 3,850,325 This figure includes the "round/rounded" and "pointed" leaves varieties.

George V & George VI

[edit]
World War II "Victory" nickel in Tombac
World War II "Victory" nickel in Steel
200th anniversary of the discovery of nickel
Year Mintage[2] Notes
1911 3,692,350[5] No "Dei gratia": The words "Dei gratia" were removed from the obverse of the coin to make room for "Ind:Imp:" (Emperor of India). It was restored in 1912 after public backlash.[6]
1912 5,863,170[7] With "Dei gra": The wording was restored to the obverse of the coin around the king's bust.
1913 5,588,048[a]
1914 4,202,179[7]
1915 1,172,258[7]
1916 2,481,675[7]
1917 5,521,373[7]
1918 6,052,289[a]
1919 7,835,400[7]
1920 10,649,851[8]
1921 2,582,495[8] Approximately 460 "1921" dated coins are now known as almost all of these were remelted at the mint.[8]
1922 4,763,186[a]
1923 2,475,201[a]
1924 3,066,658[a]
1925 200,050[a] Key date, lowest mintage of the George V/VI eras.
1926 933,577[a] This figure includes the "near" and "far" 6 varieties.
1927 5,285,627[9]
1928 4,588,725[a]
1929 5,562,262[a]
1930 3,685,991[a]
1931 5,100,830[9]
1932 3,198,566[9] Varieties include a "near" and "far" 2.
1933 2,597,867[9]
1934 3,827,303[9]
1935 3,900,000[9]
1936 George V 4,400,450[9]
1937 George VI 4,593,263[10]
1938 3,898,974[10]
1939 5,661,123[10]
1940 13,820,197[b]
1941 8,681,785[10]
1942 Nickel 6,847,544[10]
1942 Tombac 3,396,234[11]
1943 Tombac 24,760,256[12] Intended to stimulate the war effort. The message "We Win When We Work Willingly" is engraved in Morse code on the rim of the coin.
1944 Steel[c] 11,532,784[13] Intended to stimulate the war effort. The message "We Win When We Work Willingly" is engraved in Morse code on the rim of the coin.
1945 Steel 18,893,216[12]
1946 Nickel 6,952,684[14]
1947 7,603,724[14] The "dot" variety is included in this figure.
1947 Maple Leaf 9,595,124[14] Obverse "IND: IMP:" aka Indiae Imperator (Emperor of India) removed.
1948 1,810,789[15]
1949 13,736,276[b]
1950 11,950,520[15]
1951 Beaver 4,313,410[16] Struck in nickel-plated steel, this figure includes the scarce high relief and common low relief varieties.[16]
1951 Nickel Bicentennial 9,028,507[12] Struck in nickel, the reverse design features a nickel refinery for the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the alloy.[12]
1952 10,891,148[16] Struck in nickel-plated steel[16]

Elizabeth II

[edit]
Canadian Centennial nickel
60th anniversary of the end of World War II
Year Mintage Notes
1953 16,635,552[17] This figure includes the "strap", "no strap", and "near"/"far" leaf varieties.[17]
1954 6,998,662[17] Struck in nickel-plated steel[17]
1955 5,355,028[18] Struck in nickel[18]
1956 9,399,854[18]
1957 7,387,703[18]
1958 7,607,521[18]
1959 11,552,523[18]
1960 37,157,433[18]
1961 47,889,051[18]
1962 46,307,305[18]
1963 43,970,320[19]
1964 78,075,068[19] This figure includes the "extra water line" variety.[19]
1965 84,876,018[20] This figure includes the "small" and "large" beads varieties.
1966 27,976,648[20]
1967 36,876,574[12] Canadian Centennial; this nickel features a hopping rabbit and is dated 1867–1967.[12]
1968 99,253,330
1969 27,830,229[20]
1970 5,726,010[20]
1971 27,312,609[20]
1972 62,417,387[20]
1973 53,507,435[20]
1974 94,704,645[20]
1975 138,882,000[20]
1976 55,140,213[20]
1977 89,120,791[20] This figure includes the "high" and "low" 7 varieties.
1978 137,079,273[20]
1979 186,295,825[21]
1980 134,878,000[21]
1981 99,107,900[21] First recorded year of proof strikes.[21]
1982 64,924,400[22] Cupronickel alloy
1983 72,596,000[22]
1984 84,088,000[22]
1985 126,618,000[22]
1986 156,104,000[22]
1987 106,299,000[22]
1988 75,025,000[22]
1989 141,435,538[22]
1990 42,537,000[23]
1991 10,931,000[23]
1992 53,732,000[24] 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada; this nickel is dated 1867–1992.
1993 86,877,000[23]
1994 99,352,000[23]
1995 78,528,000[23]
1996 36,686,000[23] This figure includes the "near" and "far" 6 varieties.
1997 27,354,000[23]
1998 156,873,000[23]
1999 124,861,000[23] About 20,000 coins were minted with a "P" (nickel-plated steel alloy) mark under Elizabeth's portrait on the obverse.[25]
2000 108,514,000[23]
2000 P 2,300,000[25]
2001 30,035,000[23]
2001 P 136,650,000[25]
2002 P 135,960,000[26] Elizabeth II Golden Jubliee; dated 1952–2002
2003 61,392,180[27]
2003 P 31,388,921[27]
2004 P 123,925,000
2005 P 148,082,000
2005 P WWII ANV 59,269,192[28] 60th anniversary of the end of World War II; this nickel is dated 1945–2005.
2006 43,008,000
2006 P 184,874,000
2007 221,472,000
2008 278,530,000
2009 266,448,000
2010 126,800,000
2011 230,328,000
2012 202,944,000
2013 78,120,000
2014 66,364,000
2015 87,360,000
2016 140,952,000
2017 126,680,000
2017 150th Anv 20,000,000[29] 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada; this nickel is dated 1867–2017.
2018 87,528,000
2019 92,736,000
2020 31,752,000
2021 68,376,000[30]
2022 83,328,000

Charles III

[edit]
Year Mintage Notes
2023 28,422,000[31] First year of issue with a bust of Charles III facing left as per custom
2024 61,824,000[31]
2025 TBA

Commemoratives

[edit]
Date Mintage Reason
1998
25,000
 90th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mint (matte finish)
1998
25,000
 90th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mint (mirror finish)
2001
59,573
 Sesquicentennial of Canada's first postage stamp
2001
25,834
 125th anniversary of the Royal Military College
2002
22,646
 85th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge (World War I)
2003
33,490
 Elizabeth II (Golden Jubilee)
2004
20,019
 60th anniversary of D-Day[d]
2005
42,792
 60th anniversary of the end of World War II; this nickel is dated 1945–2005.[e]
2010
4,996
 75th anniversary of Canada's Voyageur Silver Dollar
2011
6,000
 100th anniversary of George V on Canadian coins
2017
8,017
 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada (Centennial rabbit; 2017 version)
2017
20,000
 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada (our home and native land)
2017
5,500
 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada (the forgotten 1927 designs)
2020
15,000
 75th anniversary of VE-Day[f]
2023
952,000
 Elizabeth II (Platinum Jubilee)

Collecting

[edit]

According to author Allen G. Berman, Canadian nickels struck in pure nickel are "very difficult to grade" due to the alloy's hardness.[32] Five-cent coins dated 1921 are among the rarest and most collectible Canadian circulation coins, known as "the Prince of Canadian Coins." Estimates of the number of specimens known range between 400 and 480. In May 1921, the government of Canada passed an act authorizing the change to the larger nickel coin, and subsequently the majority of the 1921 mint run was melted down.[33] The coin believed to be the finest-known specimen (PCGS MS-67) sold for US$115,000 at auction in January 2010.[34] It was then sold by the Canadian Numismatic Company for $160,000 to a private collector in early 2012.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j The official mintage given by the RCM is disputed with secondary sourcing from Krause Publications.[7][8][9][10]
  2. ^ a b The official mintage given by the RCM is disputed with secondary sourcing from Krause Publications.[10]
  3. ^ One "1944" dated coin is known to have survived in Tombac.
  4. ^ A circulating version of this coin celebrating the end of World War II later appeared in 2005.
  5. ^ This nickel came in a set, was struck in silver, and features George VI on the obverse with the original Morse code edge. 6,065 of these coins were also struck in gold-plating.
  6. ^ This coin is identical to its D-Day 60th anniversary counterpart, but is dated 1945–2020.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Industrious, enduring–the 5-cent coin". mint.ca. Royal Canadian Mint. Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "5 cents". Royal Canadian Mint. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  3. ^ Cuhaj, George S., ed. (November 29, 2012). Standard Catalog of World Coins 1801-1900 (7th ed.). Krause Publications. p. 156. ISBN 978-1440230851.
  4. ^ Michael, Thomas, ed. (July 29, 2016). 2017 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 (44th ed.). Krause Publications. p. 310. ISBN 978-1440246548.
  5. ^ "Canada 5 Cents KM# 16 1911(no mint mark)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  6. ^ "Canadian Coin News". Canadian Coin News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Canada 5 Cents KM# 22 1912-1919 (no mint mark)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d "Canada 5 Cents KM# 22a 1920-1921 (no mint mark)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h "Canada 5 Cents KM# 29 1922-1936 (no mint mark)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Canada 5 Cents KM# 33 1937-1942 (no mint mark)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  11. ^ "Canada 5 Cents KM# 39 1942 (no mint mark)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Michael, Thomas, ed. (July 29, 2016). 2017 Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 (44th ed.). Krause Publications. pp. 311–312. ISBN 978-1440246548.
  13. ^ "Canada 5 Cents KM# 40a 1944 (no mint mark)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  14. ^ a b c "Canada 5 Cents KM# 39a 1946-1947 (no mint mark)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Canada 5 Cents KM# 42 1948-1950 (no mint mark)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d "Canada 5 Cents KM# 42a 1951-1952 (no mint mark)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  17. ^ a b c d "Canada 5 Cents KM# 50 1953-1954". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Canada 5 Cents KM# 50a 1955-1962". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  19. ^ a b c "Canada 5 Cents KM# 57 1963-1964". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Canada 5 Cents KM# 60.1 1965-1978". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  21. ^ a b c d "Canada 5 Cents KM# 60.2 1979-1981". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h "Canada 5 Cents KM# 60.2a 1982-1989". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Canada 5 Cents KM# 182 1990-2003". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  24. ^ "Canada 5 Cents KM# 205 1992". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  25. ^ a b c "Canada 5 Cents KM# 182b 1999-2003". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  26. ^ "Canada 5 Cents KM# 446 2002". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  27. ^ a b Cross, W. K. (July 2005). A Charlton Standard Catalogue Canadian Coins (60th ed.). Charlton Press. p. 98. ISBN 978-0889682979.
  28. ^ Michael, Thomas, ed. (July 13, 2016). 2017 Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001-Date (11th ed.). Krause Publications. p. 236. ISBN 978-1440246555.
  29. ^ Royal Canadian Mint (2017). 2017 Annual Report – Delivering Results (PDF) (Report). p. 86. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  30. ^ Royal Canadian Mint (2021). Annual Report 2021 - Strong Today, Ready for Tomorrow (PDF) (Report). p. 101. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  31. ^ a b "Annual Report 2024" (PDF). Royal Canadian Mint. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  32. ^ Berman, Allen G. (2002). Warman's Coins & Paper Money: A Value & Identification Guide. Krause Publications. p. 120. ISBN 9780873493437.
  33. ^ Haxby, J. A.; Willey, R.C. (2003). Coins of Canada (21st ed.). Toronto: Unitrade Press. ISBN 1-894763-09-2.
  34. ^ "Canada: George V 5 Cents 1921,... Canada | Lot #20069". Heritage Auctions.
[edit]
  • Media related to Nickel (Canadian coin) at Wikimedia Commons
  • Value of Canadian Nickel
  • Canadian Nickel varieties
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nickel_(Canadian_coin)&oldid=1319673686"