Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1967
Composition: Nickel
Diameter Type: 21.21 mm
Weight: 4.54 grams
Total Series Mintage: 36,876,574
Obverse Design: Bust Design
Reverse Design: Rabbit
Introduction
In 1867 without firing a single shot (or drop of blood) Canada received its independence and became a Commonwealth Nation within the British Empire and establishing itself as a Confederacy.
Flash forward almost a hundred years later, Canada was preparing for the 100th anniversary of the countries birth and in 1964 declared that a special set of circulating commemorative coins would be issued for 1967 and that an open competition would be held for the coin designs with an award of $2500 to the artists whose designs were chosen. In 1966, Alex Colville's animal designs were chosen and he was awarded the prize money of $2500.
A fine example of one of Colville's designs was the nickel five cent design.
Design
The obverse design remained unchanged from previous the previous year. Designed by Arnold Machin, the obverse feature the image of a young Queen Elizabeth II wearing a tiara and facing right. On the outer periphery are the words “ELIZABETH II” and “D.G. REGINA”. Encircling the overall design is a circle of beads.
The reverse, designed by Alex Colville, features a rabbit in full run (or hop). Above the design is the denomination “5 Cents”. Below the design is the word “CANADA” and dual date “1867-1967”. Encircling the overall design is a circle of beads.
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General Market Notes
With more than 36 million coins issued, affordable examples are readily available to collectors.