Obverse

Reverse

5 Cents (Nickel)

1951 Canadian Nickel Bicentenary 5 Cents

Canada (Royal Canadian Mint) · 1951

A 12-sided (tombac-style shape) nickel coin featuring King George VI and a commemorative design for the 200th anniversary of the naming of the element nickel.

Country: Canada (Royal Canadian Mint)
Year: 1951
Denomination: 5 Cents (Nickel)
Metal: 99.9% Nickel

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

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Overview

A 12-sided (tombac-style shape) nickel coin featuring King George VI and a commemorative design for the 200th anniversary of the naming of the element nickel.

Historical significance

This coin commemorates the 200th anniversary (1751–1951) of the isolation of nickel as an element by Axel Fredrik Cronstedt. It was the first time the word 'NICKEL' appeared as a design element on a Canadian nickel.

Obverse (front)

Portrait of King George VI facing left without a crown (Bare Head), with the inscription 'GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA REX'. Designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget.

Reverse (back)

A representation of a nickel refinery with a tall smokestack. Inscriptions: 'CANADA', '5 CENTS', 'NICKEL 1751 1951', and three maple leaves at the bottom. Designed by Stephen Trenka.

Estimated value

$0.50-$2.00 in circulated condition; $10-$40 in high Mint State (MS-63+)

What drives this coin's value

Luster, presence of scratches/bag marks, and the sharpness of the smokestack and maple leaf details.

Grade assessment

Fine to Very Fine. The fields show significant bag marks and surface wear, and the high points of the portrait show flattening.

Mintage & rarity

Common; mintage of 9,007,175

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for the 12-sided shape and ensure the coin is magnetic (pure nickel is highly magnetic); non-magnetic versions are modern counterfeits or altered struck pieces.

Notable varieties & errors

No major die varieties for the commemorative reverse; minor doubling occurs on some strikes.

Similar coins

The 1951 'Beaver' reverse nickel. The commemorative refinery version is easily distinguished by the smokestack imagery.

Care & preservation

Do not clean with abrasives or chemicals. Store in a PVC-free flip or album to prevent 'green slime' damage and maintain the original luster.

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Overview

Historical significance

Obverse (front)

Reverse (back)

Estimated value

What drives this coin's value

Grade assessment

Mintage & rarity

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Notable varieties & errors

Similar coins

Care & preservation

Other canada (royal canadian mint) coins

Learn about 1951 Canadian Nickel Bicentenary 5 Cents in the encyclopedia