Canadian Five Cents (Large Silver Nickel)

Canada (Royal Mint, Ottawa) · 1921

A classic Canadian silver nickel featuring the uncrowned portrait of King George V on the obverse and a large numeral 5 flanked by maple leaves on the reverse.

Country: Canada (Royal Mint, Ottawa)
Year: 1921
Denomination: 5 Cents
Metal: 80% Silver, 20% Copper

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.

Identified August 25, 2026More canada (royal mint, ottawa) coins →

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Overview

A classic Canadian silver nickel featuring the uncrowned portrait of King George V on the obverse and a large numeral 5 flanked by maple leaves on the reverse.

Historical significance

The 1921 Canadian 5-cent silver coin is famously known as the "King of Canadian Coins." Due to a massive drop in demand for silver five-cent pieces after the introduction of the large pure nickel five-cent coin in 1922, the vast majority of the 1921 mintage was melted down by the government, leaving only an estimated 400 to 500 surviving specimens today.

Obverse (front)

Crowned bust of King George V facing left, surrounded by the Latin legend "GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: REX ET IND: IMP:"

Reverse (back)

The word "CANADA" arches across the top, the date "1921" is at the bottom, the denomination "FIVE CENTS" is split across the center with a large stylized "5", flanked by two detailed maple leaves.

Estimated value

$20,000 to over $100,000+ depending on the certified grade

What drives this coin's value

Condition/grade is paramount; authenticity verification is critical given the extreme rarity and high value of this specific date.

Grade assessment

The provided images show significant surface marks, pitting, and wear, likely grading in the lower circulated tiers (e.g., Fair to Good), though professional authentication is mandatory due to known counterfeits and alterations.

Mintage & rarity

Estimated original mintage of roughly 246,000, but nearly all were melted; extremely rare key date

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Due to the extreme value of the 1921 issue, counterfeiters have altered the date digits on common 1920 or other years' nickels to read 1921. Always look for altered date anomalies under magnification and rely on professional third-party certification (PCGS/NGC).

Notable varieties & errors

Altered date counterfeits (specifically 1920 altered to 1921) are the primary variety/counterfeit concern for this key date issue.

Similar coins

Other Canadian George V silver five-cent coins dated between 1911 and 1921, which share a very similar design but carry significantly higher mintage figures and drastically lower values.

Care & preservation

Handle only by the edges wearing clean cotton gloves. Never clean, wash, or polish the coin, as this destroys its numismatic value. Store in a secure, climate-controlled environment using inert coin holders (PVC-free).