Nickel (Canadian coin)

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

Template:Citations needed section Template:Details Template:See also 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

Definitive types
Image	Years	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="RCM 5 cents">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Diameter<ref name="Mint" /><ref name="RCM 5 cents" />	Composition<ref name="Mint" /><ref name="RCM 5 cents" />
	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
File:Canada $0.05 1937.jpg	1937–1942	4.54 g	21.21 mm	99.9% nickel
File:Canada $0.05 1942.jpg	1942–1945	4.54 g	21.3 mm	88% copper, 12% zinc (tombac) (1942–1943) Chrome plated steel (1944–1945)
File:CANADA, FIVE CENTS 1946 -NICKEL a - Flickr - woody1778a.jpgFile:CANADA, FIVE CENTS 1946 -NICKEL b - Flickr - woody1778a.jpg	1946–1952	4.54 g	21.3 mm	99.9% nickel (1946–1951) Chrome plated steel (1951–1952)
File:Canada $0.05 1964.jpg	1953–1964	4.54 g	21.3 mm	Chrome plated steel (1953–1954) 99.9% nickel (1955–1964)
File:Canada $0.05 1968.jpg	1965–1981	4.54 g	21.3 mm	99.9% nickel
File:Canada $0.05 1989.jpg	1982–1989	4.6 g	21.2 mm	75% copper, 25% nickel
File:Canada $0.05 1992.jpg	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
File:Canadian Nickel - reverse.pngFile:Canadian Nickel - obverse.png	2023–present	3.95 g	21.2 mm	94.5% steel, 3.5% copper, 2% nickel plating

Circulation figures

Victoria & Edward VII

Year	Mintage<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="1901-2000 World Coins Catalog">Template:Cite book</ref>	Notes
1858	Template:Nts	This figure includes the small date, and large date over small date varieties.
1870	Template:Nts	This figure includes the "Flat rim" and "Wire rim" varieties.
1871	Template:Nts	Two different varieties have a 1 over 1 and 7 over 7 in the date.
1872 H	Template:Nts	The "H" on the coin refers to "Ralph Heaton & Sons".
1874 H	Template:Nts	This figure includes the "Plain 4" and "Crosslet 4" varieties.
1875 H	Template:Nts	This figure includes the small and large date varieties.
1880 H	Template:Nts
1881 H	Template:Nts
1882 H	Template:Nts
1883 H	Template:Nts
1884	Template:Nts	Key date, lowest mintage of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
1885	Template:Nts	This figure includes the "small 5", "large 5", and " large 5 over small 5" varieties.
1886	Template:Nts	This figure includes the "small" and "large 6" varieties.
1887	Template:Nts	Includes a "7 over 7" date variety.
1888	Template:Nts
1889	Template:Nts
1890 H	Template:Nts
1891	Template:Nts
1892	Template:Nts
1893	Template:Nts
1894	Template:Nts	No coins were minted in 1895.
1896	Template:Nts
1897	Template:Nts	Varieties include a "wide" and "narrow" 8, and a "narrow 8 over a wide 8" in the date.
1898	Template:Nts
1899	Template:Nts
1900	Template:Nts	This figure includes the "Oval" and "Round 0's" varieties.
1901 Victoria	Template:Nts
1902 Edward VII	Template:Nts
1902 H	Template:Nts	This figure includes the "large broad" and "small narrow" H varieties.
1903	Template:Nts
1903 H	Template:Nts
1904	Template:Nts
1905	Template:Nts	Varieties include a "wide" and "narrow" date and a 5 over 5.
1906	Template:Nts	Varieties include a "wide" and "narrow" date and a "low 6".
1907	Template:Nts	Varieties include a "wide" and "narrow" date and a "low 7".
1908	Template:Nts	Varieties include a "small" and "large" 8 in the date.
1909	Template:Nts	This figure includes the "round/rounded" and "pointed" leaves varieties.
1910	Template:Nts	This figure includes the "round/rounded" and "pointed" leaves varieties.

George V & George VI

File:Canada $0.05 1943.jpg

World War II "Victory" nickel in Tombac

File:Canada $0.05 1945.jpg

World War II "Victory" nickel in Steel

File:1951 Nickel.png

200th anniversary of the discovery of nickel

Year	Mintage<ref name="RCM 5 cents" />	Notes
1911	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	No "Template:Lang": The words "Template:Lang" were removed from the obverse of the coin to make room for "Template:Lang" (Emperor of India). It was restored in 1912 after public backlash.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1912	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	With "Template:Lang": The wording was restored to the obverse of the coin around the king's bust.
1913	5,588,048Template:Efn
1914	4,202,179<ref name="NGC2" />
1915	1,172,258<ref name="NGC2" />
1916	2,481,675<ref name="NGC2" />
1917	5,521,373<ref name="NGC2" />
1918	6,052,289Template:Efn
1919	7,835,400<ref name="NGC2" />
1920	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1921	2,582,495<ref name="NGC3" />	Approximately 460 "1921" dated coins are now known as almost all of these were remelted at the mint.<ref name="NGC3" />
1922	4,763,186Template:Efn
1923	2,475,201Template:Efn
1924	3,066,658Template:Efn
1925	200,050Template:Efn	Key date, lowest mintage of the George V/VI eras.
1926	933,577Template:Efn	This figure includes the "near" and "far" 6 varieties.
1927	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1928	4,588,725Template:Efn
1929	5,562,262Template:Efn
1930	3,685,991Template:Efn
1931	5,100,830<ref name="NGC4" />
1932	3,198,566<ref name="NGC4" />	Varieties include a "near" and "far" 2.
1933	2,597,867<ref name="NGC4" />
1934	3,827,303<ref name="NGC4" />
1935	3,900,000<ref name="NGC4" />
1936 George V	4,400,450<ref name="NGC4" />
1937 George VI	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1938	3,898,974<ref name="NGC5" />
1939	5,661,123<ref name="NGC5" />
1940	13,820,197Template:Efn
1941	8,681,785<ref name="NGC5" />
1942 Nickel	6,847,544<ref name="NGC5" />
1942 Tombac	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1943 Tombac	24,760,256<ref name="1901-2000 World Coin Catalog">Template:Cite book</ref>	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 SteelTemplate:Efn	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	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<ref name="1901-2000 World Coin Catalog" />
1946 Nickel	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1947	7,603,724<ref name="NGC8" />	The "dot" variety is included in this figure.
1947 Maple Leaf	9,595,124<ref name="NGC8" />	Obverse "IND: IMP:" aka Indiae Imperator (Emperor of India) removed.
1948	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1949	13,736,276Template:Efn
1950	11,950,520<ref name="NGC9" />
1951 Beaver	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Struck in nickel-plated steel, this figure includes the scarce high relief and common low relief varieties.<ref name="NGC10" />
1951 Nickel Bicentennial	9,028,507<ref name="1901-2000 World Coin Catalog" />	Struck in nickel, the reverse design features a nickel refinery for the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the alloy.<ref name="1901-2000 World Coin Catalog" />
1952	10,891,148<ref name="NGC10" />	Struck in nickel-plated steel<ref name="NGC10" />

Elizabeth II

File:Canada $0.05 1967.jpg

Canadian Centennial nickel

File:Canada $0.05 2005.jpg

60th anniversary of the end of World War II

Year	Mintage	Notes
1953	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This figure includes the "strap", "no strap", and "near"/"far" leaf varieties.<ref name="QE1" />
1954	6,998,662<ref name="QE1" />	Struck in nickel-plated steel<ref name="QE1" />
1955	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Struck in nickel<ref name="QE2" />
1956	9,399,854<ref name="QE2" />
1957	7,387,703<ref name="QE2" />
1958	7,607,521<ref name="QE2" />
1959	11,552,523<ref name="QE2" />
1960	37,157,433<ref name="QE2" />
1961	47,889,051<ref name="QE2" />
1962	46,307,305<ref name="QE2" />
1963	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1964	78,075,068<ref name="QE3" />	This figure includes the "extra water line" variety.<ref name="QE3" />
1965	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	This figure includes the "small" and "large" beads varieties.
1966	27,976,648<ref name="QE4" />
1967	36,876,574<ref name="1901-2000 World Coin Catalog" />	Canadian Centennial; this nickel features a hopping rabbit and is dated 1867–1967.<ref name="1901-2000 World Coin Catalog" />
1968	99,253,330
1969	27,830,229<ref name="QE4" />
1970	5,726,010<ref name="QE4" />
1971	27,312,609<ref name="QE4" />
1972	62,417,387<ref name="QE4" />
1973	53,507,435<ref name="QE4" />
1974	94,704,645<ref name="QE4" />
1975	138,882,000<ref name="QE4" />
1976	55,140,213<ref name="QE4" />
1977	89,120,791<ref name="QE4" />	This figure includes the "high" and "low" 7 varieties.
1978	137,079,273<ref name="QE4" />
1979	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1980	134,878,000<ref name="QE5" />
1981	99,107,900<ref name="QE5" />	First recorded year of proof strikes.<ref name="QE5" />
1982	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Cupronickel alloy
1983	72,596,000<ref name="QE6" />
1984	84,088,000<ref name="QE6" />
1985	126,618,000<ref name="QE6" />
1986	156,104,000<ref name="QE6" />
1987	106,299,000<ref name="QE6" />
1988	75,025,000<ref name="QE6" />
1989	141,435,538<ref name="QE6" />
1990	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1991	10,931,000<ref name="QE7" />
1992	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada; this nickel is dated 1867–1992.
1993	86,877,000<ref name="QE7" />
1994	99,352,000<ref name="QE7" />
1995	78,528,000<ref name="QE7" />
1996	36,686,000<ref name="QE7" />	This figure includes the "near" and "far" 6 varieties.
1997	27,354,000<ref name="QE7" />
1998	156,873,000<ref name="QE7" />
1999	124,861,000<ref name="QE7" />	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2000	108,514,000<ref name="QE7" />
2000 P	2,300,000<ref name="QE9" />
2001	30,035,000<ref name="QE7" />
2001 P	136,650,000<ref name="QE9" />
2002 P	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Elizabeth II Golden Jubliee; dated 1952–2002
2003	61,392,180<ref name="Charlton Catalogue" />
2003 P	31,388,921<ref name="Charlton Catalogue">Template:Cite book</ref>
2004 P	123,925,000
2005 P	148,082,000
2005 P WWII ANV	59,269,192<ref name="2001-Date World Coin Catalog">Template:Cite book</ref>	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<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>	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<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
2022	83,328,000

Charles III

Year	Mintage	Notes
2023	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	First year of issue with a bust of Charles III facing left as per custom
2024	61,824,000<ref name="Rep2024" />
2025	Template:TableTBA

Commemoratives

Date	Mintage	Reason
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	90th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mint (matte finish)
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	90th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mint (mirror finish)
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Sesquicentennial of Canada's first postage stamp
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	125th anniversary of the Royal Military College
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	85th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge (World War I)
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	Elizabeth II (Golden Jubilee)
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	60th anniversary of D-DayTemplate:Efn
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	60th anniversary of the end of World War II; this nickel is dated 1945–2005.Template:Efn
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	75th anniversary of Canada's Voyageur Silver Dollar
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	100th anniversary of George V on Canadian coins
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada (Centennial rabbit; 2017 version)
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada (our home and native land)
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada (the forgotten 1927 designs)
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	75th anniversary of VE-DayTemplate:Efn
check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name="cc_1">Template:Cite book</ref> The coin believed to be the finest-known specimen (PCGS MS-67) sold for Template:US$ at auction in January 2010.<ref name="MS67">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was then sold by the Canadian Numismatic Company for $160,000 to a private collector in early 2012.

See also

• Big Nickel
• Dei Gratia Regina (or Rex), which appears abbreviated on the face of the coin.

External links

• Template:Commons category-inline
• Value of Canadian Nickel
• Canadian Nickel varieties