Canadian 50 Cent Coin

Still in circulation today, the Canadian 50 cent piece is one of the first coins to be created for Canadian currency. In the beginning, currency was created by Canada at the Royal Mint of London with the 50 cent piece being a part of that production.

The 50 cent piece includes an image of the reigning monarch at the time on the obverse side while the reverse will feature varying images based on the design at the time. One of the most popular designs of the 50 cent piece is from 1959 when the Canadian Coat of Arms design was created by Thomas Shingles an engraver with the Royal Canadian Mint.

Reverse Side Designs
In the beginning, the 50 cent piece had two crossed maple boughs on the reverse side of the coin. This design would remain in place from 1858 through 1936. In 1937 the design would change the reverse would feature a simplified Coat of Arms. This design would remain in place until the end of 1958. The simplified look was created to try and modernize coins of Canada.

In 1959 until 1966 and 1968 until present day, 50 cent coins include a modified Coat of Arms design. A new Coat of Arms was approved by the Canadian Government in 1957 and soon applied to the 50 cent coin and still remains in place to this day.

In 1967 the Royal Canadian Mint decided to create a centennial 50 cent coin. The coin collection for the centennial was created by Alex Colville which included the 50 cent piece. This collection was created for the 100th anniversary of the Canadian confederation. The reverse side of this coin features the image of a howling wolf.

Composition
By 1908, the Royal Canadian Mint was producing the 50 cent piece with the coin consisting of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. This composition would remain through 1919. By 1920, the composition would change to 80% silver and 20% copper, staying place through 1967.

From 1968 until 1979, the 50 cent piece consisted of 99% nickel. This was also the case from 1980 until 1999. From 2000 to present day, the 50 cent piece is comprised of 93.15% steel along with 4.75% copper and 2.1% nickel plating.

The diameter of the coin has stayed relatively the same going from 29.72 mm in the beginning to 27.13 mm today. The thickness was not recorded until 1968 and began at 1.93 mm and now has 1.95 mm in thickness.

Today, 50 cent pieces are collectors items, it is the commemorative coins as well as older issues of the 50 cent piece that will have more value. At Colonial Acres, we can help you learn the value of your 50 cent pieces as well as help you obtain specific 50 cent pieces of Canadian currency. Let us help you strengthen your collection with more information on the 50 cent piece.

Canadian 5 Cent Coin

Still in circulation today, the five cent coin has taken over the bottom position as the lowest denomination coin in Canadian currency. The five cent coin or nickel, has seen several changes throughout the years having first been struck in 1858. The obverse side always consisted of images depicting the current royal monarch but the reverse side was quite unique with every new minting of the coin. 

Reverse Side Designs

From 1858 to 1921, the reverse side of the five cent coin had an image depicting crossed maple boughs. These coins were known as fish scales due to their small size with a diameter of only 15.5 which is smaller than a dime. By 1922 the design had changed to include two maple leaves on the reverse side which was designed by W.H.J. Blackmore. The diameter was also increased at this time and this design remained through 1936. 

In 1937 to 1942 as well as 1946 to 1950, 1952 to 1966 and 1968 to present, the coin featured the beaver on the obverse side. The beaver design was first created by G.E. Kruger-Gray as a way to modernize the coin in 1937. In Canada, the beaver is considered a cultural icon as well as a commodity. 

From 1942 to 1963, the nickel had 12 sides and another metal was used in composition due to the war efforts. War required nickel so tombac, which is a brass, was used until 1946. From 1943 to 1945 a victory coin was minted, created by Thomas Shingles. The coin was engraved with the message ‘We Win When We Work Willingly’ in Morse code around the rim of the nickel. 

In 1951, the Royal Canadian Mint decided to create a five cent piece in commemoration of the identification of nickel which took place in 1751 by A.F. Cronstedt a scientist of Sweden. In 1967, a five cent coin was created known as the centennial which was part of a collection commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Confederation. This coin was created by Alex Colville as part of a set of coins. The nickel featured a hopping rabbit on the reverse side. 

In 2005, the Royal Canadian Mint released the Victory Anniversary Nickel which was created to honor the 60th anniversary of WWII’s end. The coin was designed based on the 5 cent coin created back in 1943 to help with the war effort. 

Composition of the Coin

The composition of the five cent coin has changed over the years. In the beginning, the coin was mostly silver based with a small percentage of copper. By the early 1920s to 1940s, the coin was 99% nickel. For a small time the coin changed to copper and zinc, during the war efforts, then changed to chrome plated steel. By 1946, the coin was back to nickel and would be until 1951. 

At this time, the coin’s composition would change back to chrome plated steel. By 1955 the coin was back to nickel composition and would remain so until 1981. From 1982 to 1999, the coin would consist of copper and nickel while 2000 to present would see the coin consist mainly of steel with a small percentage of copper and nickel plating.

What is Coin Roll Hunting and How Is It Done?

Coin collectors seek and find coins in many different ways. Each coin collector chooses the easiest and most accessible for them, and of course those with lesser risks. One of the many ways to get coins is through coin roll hunting. It may sound like a difficult method, but it is actually the contrary.

Coin roll hunting is very simple. It is all about searching and sorting coins through a coin roll which you order from your trusted banks. Many collectors find coin roll hunting a very fun hobby as you never know which coin you can find in any of the rolls. While these coin rolls are from circulation coins, there are still odds that you can find a collector coin amongst them. Most banks allow orders of coin rolls. It is ideal that you give them a span of a week before your pickup of the said order, so they have enough time to arrange the rolls accordingly. One of the coin roll providers is the Royal Canadian Mint.

Because of the element of surprise, most coin collectors who order coin rolls develop an interest and keeps them placing orders regularly. Basically, coin roll hunting works this way:

1.       You decide whether or not coin roll hunting is for you. Coin roll hunting requires you to have some extra money so you can start placing orders for your first rolls. Many have claimed to have earned a lot through coin roll hunting, but it requires a lot of patience and hard work as well.

2.       Determine which kind of coin roll you want. Will it be dimes, pennies or nickels?

3.       Pick up the coin rolls from your bank on the day they said it should be ready.

4.       Sort the coins and search for collectible coins that may be in the roll. Be careful not to throw out the rolls the coins came in, as it is better to keep them for later.

5.       After sorting, re roll the coins with the rolls they came in with. This will make it easier for you and the bank will greatly appreciate the effort and will take the rolls in easily. Some banks will refuse to accept the coins if not rolled.

6.       Bundle the coin rolls in elastic and in groups of ten rolls.

7.       Deliver the coins back to the bank and wait for your next batch of pre ordered coin rolls.

Coin roll hunting appeals in the same way as treasure hunting does. Coin collectors never know what they will find in the stash. The Royal Canadian Mint also releases coin rolls for orders and the coins have a wide variety. Coin collectors who are interested in coin roll hunting can order from the Royal Canadian Mint, and the coin rolls delivered will be in the best shape possible.