Canadian Five Cent Coins

SILVER FIVE CENTS

Because of their very small size, these silver five cent pieces were sometimes referred to as "FISH SCALES".

QUEEN VICTORIA
1837 TO 1901

PROVINCE OF CANADA

In 1858, 5 cent coins were struck with the Victorian Young head design. While they are identical in design to those coins issued under the Dominion of Canada starting in 1870, the 1858 examples were issued under the Province of Canada as a British Territory. This type was designed by Leonard C. Wyon and was struck from an alloy containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. The standard weight was 1.16 grams with a diameter of 15.5 mm. The die axis was 180 degrees, in what is known as coinage alignment. The 1858 5 cent coins come with both a large and small date, with the large date being much rarer than the small date.



(image of type only)


1858 regular date ...................... VF-20      SOLD




DOMINION OF CANADA



(image of type only)


Unlike the other denominations except for the 10 cent, the Wyon young head design continued to be used after Confederation, from the first issue in 1870 until 1901. The standards remain the same as the 1858 issue, with the weight 1.16 grams, diameter of 15.5 mm and the coinage die axis of 180 degrees. The coin were struck at the British Royal mint in London England, unless they have the H mint mark, in which case they were struck at the Heaton mint in Birmingham England.




In 1870 there are two rim variations. Those with a wide flat rim are known as either the flat border (FB) or wide (W) border, and were struck earlier in the year. Later in the year the design was changed to a narrower more rounded rim, called either the round border (RB) or narrow (N) border, depending on which reference you are using. There is no significant difference in rarity between the two types. After 1870 all 5 cent silver have rounded borders.




1870 FB ................................. F-12    $33.50
1870 FB .................. weak E in CENT F-15    $29.50
1870 FB ................................. F-15    $40.00




In 1874 there are two varieties of 5 cent coins. The first is known as the "crosslet 4" which has a small vertical bar at the very back of the four, and a slightly larger date (some references call this the "large date" variety). The second variety is the "plain 4" which lacks that small upright at the back of the four, and has a slightly smaller date (and some references call the small date variety). The plain 4 is very slightly scarcer than the crosslet 4, but the difference is minor and there is no significant difference in the values.




1874 H crosslet 4 ... rough with nicks . XF-40    $72.50




1880 H obv. 3 ........... dig on reverse VF-20    $12.50
1880 H obv. 3 ............ small scratch VF-20    $23.00




1881 H ................................... G-6    $ 7.00
1881 H ................................. VF-30    $54.50




1883 H ....................... some marks F-12    $41.50
1883 H .................................. F-15    $72.50
1883 H ..................... minor marks VF-20    $92.50





In 1885 and 1886, there are varieties with large and small last digits in the date, plus in 1885 there is a scarcer variety with the small 5 punched over a large 5.




1885 small 5 ............................ F-12    $32.50




1885 sm 5/lg 5 .......................... F-15   $220.00




1886 small 6 ........................... VG-10    $15.00
1886 small 6 ............................ F-12    $20.00
1886 small 6 ............................ F-15    $29.00
1886 small 6 ........................... VF-20    $41.50
1886 small 6 ..................... toned VF-20    $41.50




1886 large 6 ........................... VG-10    $18.50
1886 large 6 ............................ F-12    $24.50
1886 large 6 ................ minor marks F-15    $21.50
1886 large 6 ................... cleaned VF-20    $24.00




1887 .................................... F-15   $ 62.50




1887 7/7 ................................ F-15   $160.00




1888 ................................... VG-10    $10.50
1888 .................................... F-12    $15.00
1888 .................................... F-15    $20.00
1888 ................................... VF-20    $29.50
1888 ................................... VF-30    $40.00




1889 .................................... F-15    $67.50




1890 H .................................. F-12    $16.00
1890 H .................................. F-15    $23.50
1890 H ................................. VF-20    $33.00
1890 H ................................. VF-30    $49.50




1891 obverse 5 .......................... F-15    $14.00
1891 obverse 5 ......................... VF-20    $20.00
1891 obverse 5 ................. cleaned VF-30    $20.00
1891 obverse 5 ................. cleaned XF-40    $25.00
1891 obverse 5 ......................... XF-40    $42.50




1892 obverse 2 ......................... AU-50   $165.00




1892 obverse 5 .......................... F-12    $60.00
1892 obverse 5 ......................... VF-30   $135.00
1892 obverse 5 . light scratches on face AU-50   $245.00




1893 .................................... F-15    $13.50
1893 ................................... VF-20    $20.00
1893 ................................... VF-30    $27.50
1893 ................................... MS-63   $585.00




1894 ............................. toned VF-20    $80.00
1894 ................. obverse scratches VF-30    $77.50
1894 ................................... VF-30   $110.00




1896 .................................... F-15    $14.00
1896 ................................... VF-20    $20.00
1896 ................................... VF-30    $31.00
1896 ................................... XF-40    $47.50





In 1897 there are four varieties : 1) narrow 8. 2) Wide 8. 3) narrow 8 over wide 8. 4) 7 over 7 (which has a standard narrow 8). The narrow 8 is by far the most common, with the 7 over 7 the scarcest.




1897 narrow 8 .......................... VF-20    $20.00
1897 narrow 8 .......................... VF-30    $32.50
1897 narrow 8 .. rainbow tone (heated ?) VF-30    $28.50
1897 narrow 8 ........... small rim flaw XF-40    $33.50
1897 narrow 8 .................... spots XF-40    $33.50
1897 narrow 8 .......................... XF-40    $41.50
1897 narrow 8 .................... rough AU-50    $59.50




1898 .................................... VG-8    $16.50
1898 ................................... VF-30    $75.00
1898 .......... minor small obverse pits AU-50   $130.00




1899 .................................... F-15    $11.50
1899 ................................... VF-20    $16.00
1899 ................................... VF-30    $23.50
1899 ................................... XF-40    $33.50
1899 ................................... XF-45    $55.00
1899 ....................... light marks AU-50    $57.50
1899 ................................... AU-50    $77.50




1899 high 9, Zoell J125q ................ F-12    $20.00
1899 high 9, Zoell J125q ............... VF-20    $40.00
1899 high 9, Zoell J125q ............... VF-30    $68.50




The 1900 5 cent exists with either large (or round) and small (or oval) 0's in the date, with the large 0's the rarer of the two.




1900 round 0's ......................... VF-20    $80.00
1900 round 0's ......................... VF-30   $120.00
1900 round 0's ....... rev light scratch XF-40   $145.00
1900 round 0's ......................... XF-40   $210.00




1901 ................................... AU-50    $72.50
1901 ................................... MS-62   $245.00





EDWARD VII
1902 TO 1910

The Edward VII five cent design is by George W. DeSaulles, with the portrait of Edward VII on the obverse, with the reverse similar to the Victorian type except that the word "CANADA" was moved from below the monarch head on the obverse, to just above the date on the reverse. The standards remain the same as the Victorian coins, with a weight of 1.16 grams, a diameter of 15.5 mm, and struck from 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. From 1902 to 1907 the this have a "coinage" 180 degree die axis, and are without a mint mark if struck at the British Royal mint in London England, or with an "H" mint mark for those struck at the Heaton mint in Birmingham England. Starting in 1908, all of the coins were struck without a mint marks, but this now designates the new Royal Canadian mint in Ottawa. Also in 1908, the die axis changed to "medal axis" or 0 degrees (normally used for war medals).



(image of type only)


1902 .................................... VG-8    $ 2.50




The 1902 H and 1903 H five cent coins can have either a large and small "H" mint marks. In 1902 the small H is scarcer, and 1903 the large H is scarcer.




1902 small H ............................ VG-8      SOLD




Until 1902 these 5 cent coin had a small St. Edward's crown at the top of the reverse, with 21 leaves in the wreath. The H mint marked coins struck at the Heaton mint retain this design even after 1902, but starting in 1903 those struck at the Royal Mint in London, and later at the Royal Canadian mint in Ottawa, have W. H. J. Blakemore's slightly modified design with the Imperial state crown and 22 leaves in the wreath.




1903 .................................... VG-8    $ 5.75
1903 .................................... F-15    $13.50




1903 large H ......... small dig in crown, G-6    $ 7.50
1903 large H ... sl rough, reverse scratch G-6    $ 7.50
1903 large H ............................ F-12    $30.50
1903 large H ............................ F-15    $40.00
1903 large H ........................... VF-20    $52.50
1903 large H ........................... VF-30    $80.00




1903 small H recut ....................... G-6    $ 9.50
1903 small H recut ..................... VF-30    $44.50




1904 ................................... XF-40    $29.50




1905 ............................. toned AU-50    $50.50
1905, nicely toned, weak A in Canada ... MS-62   $175.00
1905 ............................. toned MS-63   $285.00




1907 .................................... VG-8    $ 2.50
1907 ......................... hairlined XF-40    $ 5.00




In 1908 the Royal Canadian Mint opened in Ottawa, after which time Canadian coins were no longer struck at British mints. The die axis switches from coinage to medal. In 1908 these coins are found with either a small or large 8 in the date, with the large 8 being significantly scarcer.




1908 small date ........................ XF-40    $53.50
1908 small date ........................ XF-45    $62.50




In 1909 and 1910, there were two different types of leaves on the wreath on the reverse of these coins. Some coins have what appear to be maple leaves with slightly rounded tips, which some references called "maple leaves" and others call "rounded leaves" (RL). Others have what appear to be holly leaves on the wreath, which in some references are known as "holly leaves" and in others "pointed leaves" (or just PL).




1909 pointed leaves ...................... G-6    $11.00
1909 pointed leaves ............. pocked VF-30    $25.00
1909 pointed leaves ... a few minor digs VF-30    $40.00
1909 pointed leaves .................... VF-30    $70.00
1909 pointed leaves ........ minor marks XF-40    $90.00




1909 rounded leaves ..................... F-15    $10.00
1909 rounded leaves .................... VF-30    $23.00
1909 round leaves, light obverse scratch XF-45    $20.00
1909 round leaves ...... minor scratches AU-50    $72.50
1909 round leaves ...... hairlined toned AU-55    $65.00




1910 pointed leaves ..................... VG-8    $ 2.50
1910 pointed leaves ..................... F-15    $ 4.00
1910 pointed leaves .................... VF-20    $ 6.00




1910 rounded leaves ....... a few lt marks G-6    $ 6.75
1910 rounded leaves ...................... G-6    $12.00
1910 rounded leaves, scratches, rim nicks VG-8    $ 7.50
1910 rounded leaves .... light obv. marks F-12    $12.00
1910 rounded leaves .................... VF-30    $74.50





GEORGE V
1911 to 1936

The new obverse type for George V was designed by Sir E. B. MacKennal, but his design upset a lot of people because it lacked "DEI GRATIA" (Latin for God's Grace) in the obverse inscription (a type know known as the "GODLESS COINS". The 1903 reverse design by W. H. J. Blakemore was retained, and the standards remained at a weight of 1.16 grams, diameter of 15.5 mm, and struck from 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper (until 1920 when only the alloy changed).



(image of type only)


1911 Godless ................. rim nicks VF-20    $ 4.25
1911 Godless .... lt rev. scr. discolor. XF-40    $ 6.00
1911 Godless ........................... XF-40    $12.50

Due to the many complaints about the "Godless" type, in 1912 "DEI GRATIA" again appears in the obverse inscription on these coins.



(image of type only)


1912 .................................... VG-8    $ 2.50
1912 .................................... F-15    $ 4.75
1912 ................................... VF-20    $ 5.75
1912 ................................... VF-30    $ 7.25
1912 ................................... XF-40    $10.00
1912 ................ attractively toned XF-40    $12.50
1912 ................................... AU-50    $31.00
1912 ................ attractively toned AU-50    $31.50
1912 ................................... AU-55    $42.50




1914 ......................... hairlined XF-40    $ 4.00




1915 .................................... VG-8    $15.00
1915 ................................... VG-10    $17.00
1915 .................................... F-12    $20.00
1915 ........................ light marks F-15    $16.00
1915 .................................... F-15    $24.00
1915 ................................... VF-20    $32.50
1915 ................................... XF-40    $66.50




1916 ................................... VG-10    $ 5.50
1916 .................................... F-12    $ 6.50
1916 .................................... F-15    $ 8.75
1916 ................................... VF-20    $12.50
1916 ................................... VF-30    $16.00
1916 ................................... XF-40    $25.00
1916 ...................... light toning MS-64   $575.00




1917 .................................... F-12    $ 3.00
1917 .................................... F-15    $ 3.50
1917 ................................... VF-20    $ 4.00




1918 .................................... VG-8    $ 2.00
1918 ................................... VG-10    $ 2.50
1918 ................................... VF-20    $ 4.25




1919 ................................... VG-10    $ 2.50
1919 .................................... F-15    $ 3.25

The 5 cent silver coins of George 5th remain the same design and general specification in 1920 and 1921, except alloy was reduced to 80% silver and 20% copper.




1920 .................................... F-12    $ 3.00
1920 .................................... F-15    $ 3.50
1920 ................................... VF-20    $ 4.25
1920 ................................... XF-40      SOLD

Although many 1921 examples were struck, most were melted down after the decision was made to strike 5 cent coins from silver starting in 1922. The coins are now rare, and WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO PURCHASE EXAMPLES OF THE 1921 5 CENT SILVER.




1921 .................................... VG-8      SOLD




To commemorate the Royal Canadian Mint's 90th anniversary, special sets of coins were struck with the sizes, alloys, and general reverse designs of the 1908 coins, but Queen Elizabeth's portrait and the date shown as "1908 - 1908". The five cent coins are the only small 5 cent silver coins struck after 1921. The early sets were struck with an antiqued matte-proof finish that proved un-popular with collectors (but are now the rare type), with later sets issued as mirror-proofs.




1908-1998 ........................ MATTE-PROOF      SOLD
1908-1998 ....................... MIRROR-PROOF      SOLD





FIVE CENT NICKELS
(AND TOMBAC)

GEORGE V (continued)

1922 saw a dramatic change in the Canadian 5 cent coins, as the alloy was changed to pure nickel (from 80% silver and 20% copper). Today we call them nickels, because they were made of nickel. The weight was increased to 4.54 grams and the diameter to 21.21 mm. The pre-1922 obverse design by Sir E. B. Mackennal is retained, but there is a totally new reverse design, by W. H. J. Blakemore. The Royal Canadian Mint was not set up for striking nickel, a much harder alloy than silver or bronze. This resulted in many George V nickels being weakly struck with only 6 of the 8 pearls on the King's crown band visible, with the two pearls in front of the center diamond not struck up. Normally a George V coin cannot be graded XF or better without all 8 pearls visible, but on these nickels that rule does not always apply. For examples of these nickels grading XF or better, we will clearly state if there are 8 or 6 pearls visible (although normally if there are only 6, we will grade the coin no higher than VF). Another problem with nickels is that due to extensive use in parking meters and vending machines, many have scratches across the face which are commonly called "meter scratches". Such scratches are to be expected on coins grading VG or lower, but we will note them if they are heavy. On coins grading Fine or higher we will note any such scratches, no matter how light.


George V 1922 to 1936, type only

(image of type only)


1923 .................................... F-15    $ 3.00
1923 ............ 6 bead ............... XF-45    $32.50




1924 .................................... F-15    $ 2.25




1925 ........... very light meter scratch VG-8      SOLD
1925 .................................... VG-8    $70.00
1925 ............ obverse meter scratches F-12    $70.00
1925 .................................... F-12      SOLD

The 1926 5 cent comes in two varieties with respect to the position of the 6 in the date. On the variety known as the near 6, the six is rotated slightly so that the tip of the 6 is closer to the maple leaf, and the bottom is farther from the rim. Likewise, on the far 6 variety the tip of the 6 is slightly farther from the maple leaf, and the bottom is slightly closer to the rim of the coin. It is important to look at the spacing from the rim, as well as from the maple leaf, because some people have tried to turn a near six into a far six by shaving down the tip, but they cannot add metal to make the bottom nearer to the rim.
1926 NEAR 6	1926 FAR 6

1926 near 6 ............................ VG-10    $ 5.00
1926 near 6 ............................. F-12      SOLD
1926 near 6 ............................. F-15    $13.00
1926 near 6 ............................ VF-20    $20.00




1926 far 6 ........ heavy meter scratches F-15      SOLD
1926 far 6 .............................. F-15   $220.00
1926 far 6 ............................. VF-20   $335.00
1926 far 6 ........................ ICCS VF-30   $500.00




1927 .................................... F-15    $ 2.00
1927 ................................... VF-20    $ 3.25




1928 .................................... F-15    $ 2.00
1928 ................................... VF-30    $ 6.00




1929 ................................... VF-20    $ 3.25




1930 ............ 6 beads .............. XF-40    $16.50




1931 ................................... VF-30    $10.00




1932 ................................... VF-20    $ 5.00




1933 .................................... F-15    $ 3.50
1933 ................................... VF-20    $ 6.75




1934 ................................... VF-20    $ 4.00




1935 ................................... VF-20    $ 4.00




1936 ................................... VF-20    $ 2.50





GEORGE VI
1937 to 1952

1937 saw the introduction of the Canadian Beaver as the reverse design for Canadian 5 cent pieces. With the exception of a few rare varieties (1947 dot, 1953 mules, 1964 extra water line, etc) most 5 cent coins made after 1936 which are in average circulated condition are of very little value. Only higher quality examples are of enough value to be worth the time it takes to list them.



(image of type only)


1937 ................................... XF-40    $ 2.50




1938 ................................... XF-45    $20.00




1939 ................................... AU-55    $31.50




1940 ................................... VF-20    $ 1.25
1940 ................................... VF-30    $ 2.00
1940 ................................... XF-45    $ 5.00




1942 ................................... VF-30    $ 2.00
1942 ................................... XF-40    $ 3.25
1942 ................................... AU-50    $ 8.00





TOMBAC

WW II created a nickel shortage in Canada, so starting part way through 1942, and through all of 1943, Canadian 5 cent coins were struck from a brass alloy called "tombac". The designers of these coins must have realized the color would make them easy to confuse with a one cent coin, so they changed the shape from round to 12 sided. This proved not enough, so in 1942 the traditional beaver design was replaced by the "V" (for victory) design which was used until the war ended in 1945. But even with the 12 sides and the new design there was still confusion, so in 1944 the "tombac" alloy was abandoned and 5 cent coins were struck from chrome plated steel in 1944 and 1945.



(image of type only)



1942 tombac .................. trace red MS-60    $ 5.00
1942 tombac ........................ red MS-60    $ 5.50
1942 tombac ............................ MS-62    $ 8.00
1942 tombac ............................ MS-63    $16.00

The twelve sided shape was not enough to stop the confusion with one cent coins, so in 1943 the reverse design was replaced by the "V" (for victory) design which was used until the war ended in 1945.



(image of type only)


1943 tombac ............................ AU-55    $ 2.25
1943 tombac ............................ AU-58    $ 2.50
1943 tombac .................. trace red MS-62    $ 5.00
1943 tombac ............................ MS-62    $ 6.50





Chrome-plated steel

In spite of the new reverse design, the public continue to rejection the tombac alloy five cent pieces as being too easy to confuse with a one cent when only the head side was visible. The governments response was to return to a silvery colored alloy, but during 1944 and 1945 they were still short of nickel so struck them from steel blanks that had been first nickel plated and then chrome-plated, using the same "V" reverse design as the 1943 tombac nickels. These 1944 and 1945 "V" nickels are very common and of little value in average circulated condition, but are difficult to find in Mint State (MS) conditions. Some 1944 and 1945 "V" nickel blanks missed the final chrome plating, and are refered to as "no chrome" examples. Since they do have the nickel plating, their color is no different than solid nickel 5 cent coins of other years, but they do have the steel cores.



(image of type only)



1944 ................................... AU-55      SOLD
1944 ................................... MS-65    $66.50




1945 ... major die breaks on reverse ... VF-30    $ 8.50




When the war ended there was no longer a nickel shortage, so 1946 saw a return to both the standard "beaver" design, and the use of a pure nickel alloy blanks, although the 12 sided edge was retained and used until 1962.




1946 ................................... AU-50      SOLD




Some 1946 nickels show what at first appears to be a slight doubling inside of the 6, and are known as the 6/6 variety. On closer examination, rather than a true doubling of the 6 it is probably die deterioration in that region that causes this appearance. Most of them have about the amount of doubling you see on our image, but we have seen one example where the tail of the size also show some doubling to the left side



(image of 1946 double date, type only)

1946 6/6 ................. meter scratch VG-10    $ 2.00
1946 6/6 .................... heavy marks F-12    $ 2.00
1946 6/6 .......................... baggy F-12    $ 3.25
1946 6/6 .......... numerous minor marks VF-20    $ 4.00




We came across another 1946 nickel which has a strong doubling of the bottom of the 6, and a weaker doubling if the 194, so there is at least some doubling along the bottom of every digit in the date. You will need good magnification to see it on the 194. We are referring to this as a DOUBLE DATE variety. This variety is new, and not listed in any of the standard references.




1946 double date ........................ VG-8    $ 8.00

Some 1946 nickles have a distinct triangular mark inside the 6, which probably results from die deterioration, resulting in a variety known as the "arrowhead" variety. These were listed by Hans Zoel at P176a.




1946 arrowhead .......................... F-12    $ 2.50




1947 ................................... VF-30    $ 1.00




In 1947 India received its independence, so "IND IMP" (India's Emperor) had to be removed from the King's titles on all British Commonwealth coins dating 1948 or newer. This was a problem for Canada, as new hubs for the dies had to be created in England with the new inscription, and there were delays in receiving them. Because coins were needed, and the new 1948 dies were not ready, for the first part of 1948 coins were struck with the "IND IMP" inscription, but dated 1947 with a small maple leaf behind the date to indicate they were actually minted in 1948.




1947 maple leaf ................... ICCS MS-63      SOLD




There is a variety of 1947 5 cent, with a small dot in exactly the same position as the maple leaf on the 1947 maple leaf coins. Some people believe the dot is intentional, put there to mark where the maple leaf was to be punched in, but the die was then used without the maple leaf having being added. The problem with this theory is that the 1947 dot coins (both the quarters and nickels) have multiple dots in various places, showing that the dots result from pitting due to die deterioration on a regular 1947 die. However, they are a recognized variety and widely collected.



(image of 1947 dot, type only)


1947 dot .............. heavy meter marks VG-8      SOLD
1947 dot ................................ VG-8    $18.00
1947 dot ............................... VG-10      SOLD
1947 dot ............. minor meter marks, F-12    $16.00
1947 dot .................. serious digs VF-20    $ 5.00
1947 dot ............................... VF-20    $35.00




When the new dies, with the new inscriptions, were finally ready later in 1948, 5 cent pieces of that date were struck. The new design for the obverse included not just a new inscription, but the King's portrait was also slightly redesigned, with a slightly higher relief, and much bolder hair lines. Due to having been minted only later in the year, the mintage for 1948 5 cent coins was lower than for most years around that time.




1948 ................................... XF-40    $ 4.00




1949 ................................... XF-40    $ 1.25
1949 ................................... AU-50    $ 3.25




1950 ................................... XF-40    $ 1.25




Because of the economic importance of the Canadian nickel, the 200th anniversary of the discovery of nickel, by the Swedish chemist A. F. Cronstedt, was commemorated with a special 5 cent coin showing the Sudbury nickel refinery on the reverse. Because they were unusual, people saved them rather than spending them, and are today extremely common in high quality (they are never seen heavily worn). Lightly circulated examples are of not significant value, so we do not list them here unless they are in uncirculated condition (MS-60 or better).


1951 commemorative, type only



1951 commemorative ..................... MS-62      SOLD




In 1951 the Korean war created a nickel shortage, just as world war II had in the 1940's. As they did in 1944 and 1945, the government struck 5 cent coins of chrome-plated steel of the traditional beaver design. The high-relief obverse introduced in 1948 proved difficult to strike on steel blanks and only small number of such 1951 high relief beaver type nickels were made and are today rare (we are always looking to buy examples). This problem was solved by returning to the pre-1948 low-relief portrait design, with which these coins were struck in very large numbers and are today very common and of little value (to little to list here) unless in nearly mint condition. These two designs are easily told a part by the positional of the obverse lettering relative to the denticles around the edge. On high relief examples the second A in GRATIA points directly at one of the denticles (although slightly to the left side of the denticle). On the common low relief that same A point directly between two of the denticles.




1951 beaver high relief ................ XF-45      SOLD




1951 beaver common low relief .......... XF-40    $ 1.00




1952 ................................... AU-58    $ 2.50
1952 ................................... MS-65   $120.00





ELIZABETH II
1953 to present

Young Head Series


(image of type only)



When the first coins of Elizabeth appeared in 1953, it was noticed that her shoulder appeared to be bare. This was do to the fold of cloth on her shoulder being too weakly engraved into the dies to strike up well, and so only traces of it appear. This "bare" shoulder look was considered to be inappropriate, so new dies were prepared with a clearer fold of cloth over her shoulder, along with slight changes to some of the letter forms in the obverse inscription. The no-shoulder-strap (NSS) type is sometimes referred to as the no-shoulder-fold (NSF) type. The shoulder-strap (SS) type is also sometimes referred to as the shoulder-fold (SF) type.




1953 no shoulder strap ................. MS-63      SOLD
1953 no shoulder strap ................. MS-64    $20.00
1953 no shoulder strap ................. MS-65    $80.00




When the 1953 obverse design was modified, the reverse design was also modified to increase the distance between the rim and the small maple leaves flanking "5 CENTS", creating "near" and "far" maple leaf varieties. Normally SS obverse coins will have a "near" maple leaf reverse, and the NSS obverse coins have a "far" maple leaf reverse, but occasionally one comes across coins where this is reversed. The "SS - Far" combination is known as the "SS mule" and the "NSS - near" combination is known as the "NSS mule". These mule error coins are scarce but difficult to differentiate, so care has to be taken when making certain of this variety.




1953 SS Mule ... obverse meter scratches VF-20   $225.00
1953 SS Mule . scratches, obv. corrosion VF-20   $110.00




1956 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $18.00
1956 .................. heavy cameo PROOF-LIKE    $90.00




One of the 1957 dies developed a die pit on the tip of the beavers tail, resulting in a raised dot in that position. This variety is known as the "bug tail" and while not officially recognized in most references, is widely collected.



(image of 1957 bug tail, type only)


1957 bug tail .......................... VF-20    $ 2.50
1957 bug tail .......................... VF-30    $ 3.25
1957 bug tail .......................... XF-40    $ 4.25
1957 bug tail .......................... XF-45    $ 5.00
1957 bug tail .......................... MS-62    $25.00




1958 ................................... MS-63    $ 3.25




1960 ................................... MS-63    $ 1.50
1961 ........................ cameo PROOF-LIKE    $12.50




1961 ................................... MS-64    $13.50
1961 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
1961 ........................ cameo PROOF-LIKE    $12.50




1962 ................................... MS-63    $ 1.25




One of the 1962 dies developed a very distinctive doubling of the date, probably through a process known as hub doubling. More than just the bottom of the date is doubled, but the date is where it shows more prominently.



(image of doubling on 1962 double date, type only


1962 double date ....................... VF-20    $ 2.50
1962 double date ....................... VF-30    $ 2.75
1962 double date .... obverse scratches, XF-40    $ 2.00
1962 double date ....................... MS-60    $12.50




1964 ........................ cameo PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00




One 1964 reverse die developed a heavy die crack above the water lines to the left of the beaver. The die crack looks like an extra waterline, so coins struck from this die are known as the extra waterline variety.



(image of 1964 extra water line, type only)


1964 extra water line ................... F-12      SOLD




Starting in 1965, the Queen's portrait was updated to a more mature head, wearing a tiara.


(image of type only)



1965 ....................... cameo, PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00




In 1967, to celebrate Canada's 100th anniversary as a country, coins were struck depicting various animals common to Canada, with a rabbit on the five cent coins. These centennial coins are very common, with no significant collector value even in average Mint state. We only offer them here when there is something special about them, such as cameo portraits, such as are occasionally found in mint and specimen sets.




1967 rabbit ................. cameo PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
1967 rabbit ........... heavy cameo PROOF-LIKE    $ 7.00




One of the 1967 dies developed some faint doubling of the "1867-1967" along the bottom of the reverse, and is listed Hans Zoell's books on Canadian varieties as #D199a. We refer to these as "doubled date".




1967 doubled date ...................... XF-40    $ 2.00




In 1968 there was a return to the standard beaver design. For most dates of 5 cent coins from 1968 and newer, there is no collectable value unless in very high quality (generally MS-63 or higher), or if there are special strikes from mint sets, such as proof-likes, specimens or Proofs, or oddities such as a rare variety or a cameo portrait. If you do not see a particular date listed below, do not assume it is rare. It is more likely so common that we do not have one of enough value to justify listing it.




1968 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00
1968 ........................ cameo PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00




1969 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00
1969 ........................ cameo PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1969 ................. heavy cameo, PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.00




1970 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00
1970 ................. ultra cameo, PROOF-LIKE    $20.00




1971 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00
1971 ........................ cameo PROOF-LIKE    $ 3.00
1971 ................. heavy cameo, PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
1971 ............ ICCS heavy cameo, PROOF-LIKE    $20.00
1971 ................. ultra cameo, PROOF-LIKE    $50.00




1972 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00
1972 ........................ cameo PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
1972 ................. heavy cameo, PROOF-LIKE    $ 6.75




1973 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00




1974 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00




1975 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00




1976 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00




1977 saw some dies with the 7's in the date punched into the die a little lower than on other dies. This created what are known as the "low 7" and "high 7" varieties. The "low 7" variety is the scarcer of the two.




1977 high 7 ....................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00




1977 low 7 ............................. MS-63      SOLD




1978 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00




1979 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00




1980 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00
1980 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 2.00




1981 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.25
1981 ................................... PROOF    $ 4.00




1982 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.25
1982 ................................... PROOF    $ 2.50




1983 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.25
1983 ................................... PROOF    $ 2.00




1984 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.25
1984 ................................... PROOF    $ 2.00




1985 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1985 ................................... PROOF    $ 2.00




1986 ................................... PROOF    $ 2.00




1987 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.25
1987 ................................... PROOF    $ 2.00




1988 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1988 ................................... PROOF    $ 2.00




1989 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1989 ................................... PROOF    $ 4.00




1990 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00




1991 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00




1994 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00




Starting with 1996 all of the Proof strikes of five cent coins are of sterling silver. Proof-like, specimen and circulation strike coins are still of the standard non-silver alloys.




1996 ............................ silver PROOF    $ 2.00




1996 Far 6 ............................. MS-60      SOLD




In 1998 the Canadian Mints experimented with a mint mark "W" to the right of the Queen's neck on coins struck at the Winnipeg mint, but only on coins in mint sets. The experiment was abandoned part way through the year, so while a coin with the "W" mint mark was struck at Winnipeg, coins without the mint mark may have been struck at either Winnipeg or Ottawa. The "W" mint marks coins are somewhat scarce.




1998 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




In 1999, as a cost saving measure, the Canadian Mint made plans to strike 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cent coins on plated steel blanks. The blanks were first nickel plated, then copper plated, with the 1 cent coins struck on the copper plating, but the 5, 10, 25 and 50 cent were given a second nickel plating before being struck. A small letter "P" was placed below the Queen's head to indicated the coins were on plated blanks. No "P" coins were issued for circulation in 1999, but sets of them were made as test tokens for calibrating vending machines to accept them. The vending machine companies were required to return test tokens after they are done with them, but some of the tokens appeared on the market at very high prices (over $100 each). The mint decided to get in on the action and made about 20,000 sets of 1999 "P" coins to sell directly to collectors at just over $100 per set of 5 coins. The packaging was similar to Proof-like sets, so we call these coins Proof-likes, although there exact status is not certain. The 1999 P 5 cent below, is from one of these sets.




1999 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00




1999 P ............................ PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




In 2000 the first circulation strike "P" coins were minted, but only the five cent denomination was officially released for circulation, but with both "P" and non-"P" coins being struck. A few 2000 dated "P" 10, 25 and 50 cent coins were struck, and while they were never officially released for circulation, a few were accidentally released but are rare. 2000 P five cent coins are scarcer than the non-P coins that year. During this period, there some some dates with several types, including non-"P", "P", "W" and some with both the "P" and "W".




2000 W ............................ PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




2001 P ............................ PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.00




2003 W P .......................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50




2005 P .............................. SPECIMEN    $ 4.00




2006 P ............................ PROOF-LIKE    $ 7.00




In 2006 the "P" for plated was replaced by a mint logo. Coins with this logo we designate with the as "L" coins. Technically, the Royal Canadian mint is a private corporation, although wholly owned by the Canadian government, and since the logo is the logo of that private corporation, Canada has the distinction of being what I believe is the only country that allows a private company to advertise their logo on it's coins (a few probably have tiny mint marks for private mints such as the Franklin mint, but this logo is not a tiny mint mark).




2006 LOGO.......................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 3.00




2009 LOGO ......................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 3.00




Starting in 2000, Canada issued a series of commemorative five cent coins, struck on sterling silver blanks and of PROOF quality, commemorating various aspects of Canadian culture and history. These particular coins were never struck only for sale to collectors and not issued for general circulation. They originally were issued in custom boxes, but the examples we have here are now in standard 2x2 holders and no not have the boxes. If you want examples in their original boxes, we may be able to get them for you, but boxes will added about $5.00 or more to the shipping cost as they are too thick to be sent by letter mail.




2000 Voltigeur commemorative ........... PROOF      SOLD