Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1937-1952
Number of Types: 7
Composition Types 1,5 & 6: Nickel
Composition Types 2 & 3: Tombac
Composition Types 4 & 7: Chrome Plated Steel
Diameter: 21.2 mm
Weight: Nickel 4.5 grams, Tombac 4.4 grams, Plated Steel 4.54 grams
Total Series Mintage: 177,278,372
Obverse Design: Bust Design
Reverse Design: Beaver on Rock
Unique Features: Round shape from 1937 to 1942, 12 sided shape from 1942-1952
Introduction
1937 was not just a year for the appearance of a new monarch on Canadian coinage, it was also the year that introduced collectors to the modern “Beaver on Rock” design still in use today.
The obverse, designed & engraved by T.H. Paget, features the bust of George the VI facing left. At the bottom of George's neck are the designer’s initials “HP”. On the outer periphery are the words "GEORGIVS VI D:G : REX ET IND : IMP :".
The reverse, designed & engraved by W G. E. Kruger-Gray, features a beaver on a rock. To the right of the beaver on rock design are the designer’s initials “KG”. On the upper outer periphery is the denomination “5 CENTS” with a maple leaf flanking each side. On the lower outer periphery is the word “CANADA” and year.
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Coin Types
Though George VI 5 Cent coinage ran for only 15 years ( a short run for a series), it did manage to produce quite a few type and varieties with World War II as one of the major contributors for the types.
Tombac - Early in World War II, the demand for nickel soared in efforts to support the war. The demand became large enough that the Canadian mint had to cease issuing 5 cent coinage using nickel and replaced it with a material known as tombac (a brass type of alloy).
Shape Changing - With the use of tombac coinage looked similar in color to that of existing copper cents. In an early attempt to differentiate the two, mint officials changed the shape of the 5 cent coin from round to 12-sided.
Accepting Steel - Regardless of the mints attempts, public acceptance of tombac coins never took hold. In a last effort to garner public acceptance, the mint changed compsition one last time to chrome plated steel. The similarity in color to nickel coinnage finally hit a spot with the public and provided a soultion until the end of World War II only to be used again when nickel was once again in demand due to the Korean War.
7 Types
Type 1 1937-1942 – Round Nickel Beaver
Type 2 1942 – 12 sided Tombac Beaver
Type 3 1943 – 12 sided Tombac Victory
Type 4 1944-1945 – 12 sided Plated Steel Victory
Type 5 1946-1950 – 12 sided Nickel Beaver
Type 6 1951 - 200th Anniversary Discovery of Nickel
Type 7 1951-1952 – 12 sided Plated Steel Beaver
Major Varieties
3 Major Varieties
Variety 1 – 1937 Dot
Variety 2 – 1947 Maple Leaf
Variety 3 – 1947 Dot
Variety 4 – 1937-1947 Old Obverse Legend
Variety 5 – 1948-1952 New Obverse Legend
In 1947 India received its independence. The obverse legend "IND IMP" (India's Emperor) had to be removed from the King's titles on any British Commonwealth coins dating 1948 or newer.
| Tombac Victory | 200th Anniversary | Maple Leaf | Old Obv Legend | New Obv Legend | 1947 Dot |
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