Nickel (Canadian coin)
Canadian coin worth 5 cents
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Canada | |
| Value | 0.05 CAD |
|---|---|
| Mass | 3.95 g |
| Diameter | 21.2 mm |
| Thickness | 1.76 mm |
| Edge | smooth (plain) |
| Composition | Nickel-plated steel 94.5% steel, 3.5% Cu, 2% Ni plating |
| Years of minting | 1858–present |
| Catalog number | – |
| Obverse | |
| |
| Design | Charles III, King of Canada |
| Designer | Steven Rosati |
| Design date | 2023 |
| Reverse | |
 | |
| Design | Beaver sitting on a rock |
| Designer | G.E. Kruger Gray |
| Design date | 1937 |
History
The first coinage minted for what would later become the Canadian Confederation originated in legislation enacted in 1853. Per the Act 16 Vict. c. 158, the Province of Canada was to issue "dollars, cents, and mills" that would co-circulate with English shillings and pence.[1] This law eventually came to fruition five years later in 1858 when new coins were ordered to improve the Canadian monetary system.[2] Five-cent coins in particular were struck during this year in a sterling silver alloy, had a diameter of 15.5 mm, and weighed 17.93 grains per piece.[1][2] A young bust of Queen Victoria appears on the coin's obverse, while the reverse is decorated with a wreath with the given date and denomination below a crown. This was a one year issue as silver coins in general were not minted for Canada as a whole again until 1870.[a] An issue arose due to the aftermath of the American Civil War, when currency of the United States dollar depreciated. Many unused silver coins were thus brought into Canada which disrupted the Canadian banking system.[2] The Canadian government responded by expelling foreign silver coins and issuing new ones to take their place.[2][3] Five-cent coins dated 1870 were all struck at the Royal Mint in London with the same weight and diameter as their 1858 counterparts.[4]
Types and specifications
| Definitive types | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Years | Mass[5][6] | Diameter[5][6] | Composition[5][6] |
  |
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
Victoria and Edward VII
| Year | Mintage[7][8] | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1858 | 1,500,000 | This figure includes the small date, and large date over small date varieties. |
| 1870 | 2,800,000[4] | 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 and George VI
| Year | Mintage[6] | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1911 | 3,692,350[9] | 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.[10] |
| 1912 | 5,863,170[11] | With "Dei gra": The wording was restored to the obverse of the coin around the king's bust. |
| 1913 | 5,588,048[b] | |
| 1914 | 4,202,179[11] | |
| 1915 | 1,172,258[11] | |
| 1916 | 2,481,675[11] | |
| 1917 | 5,521,373[11] | |
| 1918 | 6,052,289[b] | |
| 1919 | 7,835,400[11] | |
| 1920 | 10,649,851[12] | |
| 1921 | 2,582,495[12] | Approximately 460 "1921" dated coins are now known as almost all of these were remelted at the mint.[12] |
| 1922 | 4,763,186[b] | |
| 1923 | 2,475,201[b] | |
| 1924 | 3,066,658[b] | |
| 1925 | 200,050[b] | Key date, lowest mintage of the George V/VI eras. |
| 1926 | 933,577[b] | This figure includes the "near" and "far" 6 varieties. |
| 1927 | 5,285,627[13] | |
| 1928 | 4,588,725[b] | |
| 1929 | 5,562,262[b] | |
| 1930 | 3,685,991[b] | |
| 1931 | 5,100,830[13] | |
| 1932 | 3,198,566[13] | Varieties include a "near" and "far" 2. |
| 1933 | 2,597,867[13] | |
| 1934 | 3,827,303[13] | |
| 1935 | 3,900,000[13] | |
| 1936 George V | 4,400,450[13] | |
| 1937 George VI | 4,593,263[14] | |
| 1938 | 3,898,974[14] | |
| 1939 | 5,661,123[14] | |
| 1940 | 13,820,197[c] | |
| 1941 | 8,681,785[14] | |
| 1942 Nickel | 6,847,544[14] | |
| 1942 Tombac | 3,396,234[15] | |
| 1943 Tombac | 24,760,256[16] | 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[d] | 11,532,784[17] | 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[16] | |
| 1946 Nickel | 6,952,684[18] | |
| 1947 | 7,603,724[18] | The "dot" variety is included in this figure. |
| 1947 Maple Leaf | 9,595,124[18] | Obverse "IND: IMP:" aka Indiae Imperator (Emperor of India) removed. |
| 1948 | 1,810,789[19] | |
| 1949 | 13,736,276[c] | |
| 1950 | 11,950,520[19] | |
| 1951 Beaver | 4,313,410[20] | Struck in nickel-plated steel, this figure includes the scarce high relief and common low relief varieties.[20] |
| 1951 Nickel Bicentennial | 9,028,507[16] | Struck in nickel, the reverse design features a nickel refinery for the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the alloy.[16] |
| 1952 | 10,891,148[20] | Struck in nickel-plated steel[20] |
Elizabeth II
| Year | Mintage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1953 | 16,635,552[21] | This figure includes the "strap", "no strap", and "near"/"far" leaf varieties.[21] |
| 1954 | 6,998,662[21] | Struck in nickel-plated steel[21] |
| 1955 | 5,355,028[22] | Struck in nickel[22] |
| 1956 | 9,399,854[22] | |
| 1957 | 7,387,703[22] | |
| 1958 | 7,607,521[22] | |
| 1959 | 11,552,523[22] | |
| 1960 | 37,157,433[22] | |
| 1961 | 47,889,051[22] | |
| 1962 | 46,307,305[22] | |
| 1963 | 43,970,320[23] | |
| 1964 | 78,075,068[23] | This figure includes the "extra water line" variety.[23] |
| 1965 | 84,876,018[24] | This figure includes the "small" and "large" beads varieties. |
| 1966 | 27,976,648[24] | |
| 1967 | 36,876,574[16] | Canadian Centennial; this nickel features a hopping rabbit and is dated 1867–1967.[16] |
| 1968 | 99,253,330 | |
| 1969 | 27,830,229[24] | |
| 1970 | 5,726,010[24] | |
| 1971 | 27,312,609[24] | |
| 1972 | 62,417,387[24] | |
| 1973 | 53,507,435[24] | |
| 1974 | 94,704,645[24] | |
| 1975 | 138,882,000[24] | |
| 1976 | 55,140,213[24] | |
| 1977 | 89,120,791[24] | This figure includes the "high" and "low" 7 varieties. |
| 1978 | 137,079,273[24] | |
| 1979 | 186,295,825[25] | |
| 1980 | 134,878,000[25] | |
| 1981 | 99,107,900[25] | First recorded year of proof strikes.[25] |
| 1982 | 64,924,400[26] | Cupronickel alloy |
| 1983 | 72,596,000[26] | |
| 1984 | 84,088,000[26] | |
| 1985 | 126,618,000[26] | |
| 1986 | 156,104,000[26] | |
| 1987 | 106,299,000[26] | |
| 1988 | 75,025,000[26] | |
| 1989 | 141,435,538[26] | |
| 1990 | 42,537,000[27] | |
| 1991 | 10,931,000[27] | |
| 1992 | 53,732,000[28] | 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada; this nickel is dated 1867–1992. |
| 1993 | 86,877,000[27] | |
| 1994 | 99,352,000[27] | |
| 1995 | 78,528,000[27] | |
| 1996 | 36,686,000[27] | This figure includes the "near" and "far" 6 varieties. |
| 1997 | 27,354,000[27] | |
| 1998 | 156,873,000[27] | |
| 1999 | 124,861,000[27] | About 20,000 coins were minted with a "P" (nickel-plated steel alloy) mark under Elizabeth's portrait on the obverse.[29] |
| 2000 | 108,514,000[27] | |
| 2000 P | 2,300,000[29] | |
| 2001 | 30,035,000[27] | |
| 2001 P | 136,650,000[29] | |
| 2002 P | 135,960,000[30] | Elizabeth II Golden Jubliee; dated 1952–2002 |
| 2003 | 61,392,180[31] | |
| 2003 P | 31,388,921[31] | |
| 2004 P | 123,925,000 | |
| 2005 P | 148,082,000 | |
| 2005 P WWII ANV | 59,269,192[32] | 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[33] | 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[34] | |
| 2022 | 83,328,000 |
Charles III
| Year | Mintage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 28,422,000[35] | First year of issue with a bust of Charles III facing left as per custom |
| 2024 | 61,824,000[35] | |
| 2025 | TBA |
Commemoratives
| 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[e] |
2005 |
42,792 |
60th anniversary of the end of World War II; this nickel is dated 1945–2005.[f] |
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[g] |
2023 |
952,000 |
Elizabeth II (Platinum Jubilee) |
Collecting
According to author Allen G. Berman, Canadian nickels struck in pure nickel are "very difficult to grade" due to the alloy's hardness.[36] 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.[37] The coin believed to be the finest-known specimen (PCGS MS-67) sold for US$115,000 at auction in January 2010.[38] It was then sold by the Canadian Numismatic Company for $160,000 to a private collector in early 2012.
See also
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- Big Nickel
- Dei Gratia Regina (or Rex), which appears abbreviated on the face of the coin.
Notes
- Silver coinage continued for New Brunswick in the interim.[2]
- The official mintage given by the RCM is disputed with secondary sourcing from Krause Publications.[14]
- One "1944" dated coin is known to have survived in Tombac.
- A circulating version of this coin celebrating the end of World War II later appeared in 2005.
- 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.
- This coin is identical to its D-Day 60th anniversary counterpart, but is dated 1945–2020.
