1979 – 5 Cents Canada

The 1979 Canadian 5 cents coin, commonly called a nickel, is a business strike coin minted by the Royal Canadian Mint with a mintage of about 186 million. It has a diameter of 21.21 mm and weighs 4.54 grams, composed of 99% nickel, making it magnetic. The obverse features a right-profile bust of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a tiara, designed by Arnold Machin, encircled with the inscription “ELIZABETH II D – G – REGINA.” The reverse displays a detailed image of a beaver sitting on a log, a long-standing Canadian cultural symbol, designed by G. E. Kruger-Gray, with the inscriptions “5 CENTS” and “CANADA 1979.” The coin’s edge is plain and it exhibits medal alignment (↑↑). It was issued in circulation, uncirculated, and specimen finishes and has a melt value around $0.12 CAD.