Canadian 5 Cents (Nickel) - Beaver Design

Canada · 1947

A 12-sided nickel featuring King George VI on the obverse and a beaver on a log with maple leaves on the reverse.

Country: Canada
Year: 1947
Denomination: 5 Cents
Metal: 88% Copper, 12% Nickel
Grade: About Uncirculated to Mint State (AU/MS) with minor bag marks and good luster.

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Overview

A 12-sided nickel featuring King George VI on the obverse and a beaver on a log with maple leaves on the reverse.

Historical significance

Issued in the post-World War II era during the reign of King George VI. The 1947 coinage of Canada is particularly famous for the '1947 Maple Leaf' variety due to the delayed arrival of dies for 1948.

Obverse (front)

Uncrowned bust of King George VI facing left, surrounded by the Latin legend 'GEORGIVS VI D:G:REX ET IND:IMP:'

Reverse (back)

A beaver standing on a rock or log, with the denomination '5 CENTS' above, 'CANADA' and the year '1947' below, flanked by two maple leaves, with designer initials 'K.G.' on the left.

Estimated value

$1-$5 in circulated condition, $10-$30+ in uncirculated condition

What drives this coin's value

Overall condition/grade, presence of original mint luster, and specific variety attribution (such as the 7 to 8 overdate or Maple Leaf punch).

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated to Mint State (AU/MS) with minor bag marks and good luster.

Mintage & rarity

Common, though specific die varieties like the 1947 Simplified 7 or Maple Leaf can vary in scarcity.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check weight, dimensions, and non-magnetic or weak-magnetic properties depending on exact alloy composition. Counterfeits for common circulation dates are rare.

Notable varieties & errors

1947 7 over 7 (or 8 over 7), and the 1947 Maple Leaf variety where a small maple leaf is punched after the date.

Similar coins

Other Canadian 5-cent coins from the George VI era (1937-1952) with the same 12-sided shape.

Care & preservation

Handle by the edges using clean cotton gloves if uncirculated. Store in a cool, dry place in archival-safe flips or holders. Avoid cleaning to preserve numismatic value.