1944 Canada 5-cents ICCS Certified MS-66

1944 Canada 5-cents ICCS Certified MS-66

War demands for copper and zinc forced a suspension in the use of tombac for the 5-cent piece, and the institution of plated steel. The steel was first plated with nickel, and then returned to the plating tank for a very thin plating of chromium. The chromium was hard and helped decelerate wear. Unfortunately, it was necessary to plate the strips prior to the blanks being punched out. This resulted in the edges of the blanks, and hence the coins, being unplated and vulnerable to rusting.

Specifications:
Monarch: George VI
Designer and Engraver: T.H. Paget, Thomas Shingles (obverse), Thomas Shingles (reverse)
Composition: Steel with 0.0127 mm plating of nickel and 0.0003 plating of chromium
Weight: 4.54 g
Diameter (12-sided): 21.3 mm (opposite corners), 20.9 mm (opposite sides)
Edge: Plain
Die Axis: ↑ ↑
Mintage: 11,532,784