1997 – 5 Cents Canada

The 1997 Canadian 5 cents coin, commonly known as a nickel, is composed of cupro-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel) and weighs 4.6 grams with a diameter of 21.2 mm. It features on the obverse side the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a circular diamond crown decorated with roses, shamrocks, and thistles, designed by Dora de Pédery-Hunt. The reverse side displays a beaver sitting on a log, a design by G. E. Kruger-Gray, surrounded by the inscriptions “5 CENTS CANADA 1997” and maple leaves on either side. The coin has a plain smooth edge with a medal alignment axis and is non-magnetic. In 1997, it was minted as a circulation coin with a mintage of 27,354,000 by the Royal Canadian Mint. The minimum melt value is around $0.064 CAD. The coin is available in circulated, uncirculated, and specimen finishes, and the lettering on the obverse reads “ELIZABETH II D – G – REGINA”.