National Currency Collection

Canada, George VI, 5 cents : 1943

Story

Taking the nickel out of the nickel

The beaver briefly disappeared from our nickel during World War II. So did the nickel typically used in minting the coin, a consequence of wartime rationing of the metal. The Mint used alternative materials for the nickel-less 5¢ piece and stamped two special identifiers to mark it as a special coin: a big ‘V’ for victory and a message in Morse Code saying, “We win when we work willingly”.

Item Details

Categorization

Collection
Coin
Class
Modern
Name
Base metal
Form
Circulating

Locations

Country
Canada

Denominations

5 cents

Dates

Issuing date
1943

Authorities

Ruler
George VI

Designs

Subject Obverse
George VI - king - monarchy

Production Types

Designer
T.H. Paget
Mark
HP

Designer
Thomas Shingles
Mark
T.S

Mint
Royal Canadian Mint
Mark
None

Engraver
Thomas Shingles
Mark
None

Specifications

Edge Treatment
Plain edge

Measurements

Object

Diameter
21.1mm
Weight
4.54g

Materials

Object
Tombac