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Canada started issuing nickel 5-cent pieces in 1922. Over forty years later, in 1968, the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa produced 10-cent, 25-cent, 50-cent and one-dollar coins of pure nickel. The one-cent coin stayed as bronze.
All Canadian coins show Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse side. The reverse displays Canada's coat-of-arms, scenes of national historical significance, or Canadian flora and fauna.
Canada, now the largest producer of nickel, provides a ready source of supply to countries all over the world.
The following is a time line indicating the development of coins in Canada from 1922 to the present. For a more detailed time line, try Ken Polsson's excellent web site with a complete chronology of Canadian coins.
1922-1942
A pure nickel 5-cent piece was introduced to replace the silver/copper coin. It was the first use of nickel in Canadian coins.
Composition: 100% nickel.
1946-1951
After World War II, the mint returned to the use of nickel in 5-cent pieces. During the war years, copper and zinc were used due to high nickel demand.
Composition: 100% nickel.
1951-1954
Demand for nickel during the Korean War prompted the production of a steel 5-cent piece with nickel plating.
Composition: Steel with .0127 mm plating of nickel and .0003 mm plating of chromium.
1955-1981
Pure nickel 5-cent pieces were minted.
Composition: 100% nickel.
1968-1987
One-dollar coin (not in circulation).
Composition: 100% nickel.
1968-Present
Nickel replaced silver and copper in the 50-cent piece (not in circulation).
Composition: 100% nickel.
1968-Present
Nickel replaced the silver and copper in the 25-cent piece.
Composition: 100% nickel
1968-Present
Nickel replaced silver and copper in the 10-cent piece.
Composition: 100% nickel.
1982-Present
5-cent piece cupro-nickel
Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel.
1987-Present
To help cut costs, a one-dollar coin, the "loonie," replaced the paper note.
Composition: Nickel electroplated with bronze.
1996-Present
The two-dollar coin, the "twoonie," replaces the two dollar piece paper note.
Composition: Outer ring of nickel with aluminum-bronze core centre.
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