Canadian Nickel Question

I remember back in the 1950s that Canadian 5¢ pieces were 12-sided
instead of round (in imitation of English three-penny bits, I've been
told). Does anyone know why they changed to round?

--
Stefano
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(@ @) there you are.
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But your luggage is in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

"Stefano MacGregor" wrote in message
oups.com...
I remember back in the 1950s that Canadian 5¢ pieces were 12-sided
instead of round (in imitation of English three-penny bits, I've been
told). Does anyone know why they changed to round?

Round nickels were resumed in 1963.

James

On Aug 21, 10:43 am, Stefano MacGregor wrote:
I remember back in the 1950s that Canadian 5¢ pieces were 12-sided
instead of round (in imitation of English three-penny bits, I've been
told). Does anyone know why they changed to round?

They changed back to round in 1963 as a cost saving move.
The 12-sided collars needed replacing much more often
than round collars.

This puzzles me a bit because of the multi-sided bronze cents
of the 1980s and 90s. I suppose than bronze is not so hard
on the collars as nickel, or else they got better at multi-sided
collars.

Peter.
--

WW II created a nickel shortage in Canada, so starting part way through
1942, and through all of 1943, Canadian 5 cent coins were struck from a
brass alloy called "tombac". The designers of these coins much have realized
the color would make them easy to confuse with a one cent coin, so they
changed the shape from round to 12 sided. This proved not enough, so in 1942
the traditional beaver design was replaced by the "V" (for victory) design
which was used until the war ended in 1945. But even with the 12 sides and
the new design there was still confusion, so in 1944 the "tombac" alloy was
abandoned and 5 cent coins were struck from chrome plated steel in 1944 and
1945.

This is from the website - http://www.calgarycoin.com/modern/cd5cent.htm

jasthorn wrote:

WW II created a nickel shortage in Canada, so starting part way through
1942, and through all of 1943, Canadian 5 cent coins were struck from a
brass alloy called "tombac". The designers of these coins much have realized
the color would make them easy to confuse with a one cent coin, so they
changed the shape from round to 12 sided. This proved not enough, so in 1942
the traditional beaver design was replaced by the "V" (for victory) design
which was used until the war ended in 1945. But even with the 12 sides and
the new design there was still confusion, so in 1944 the "tombac" alloy was
abandoned and 5 cent coins were struck from chrome plated steel in 1944 and
1945.

This is from the website - http://www.calgarycoin.com/modern/cd5cent.htm

I am fortunate enough to have one. There's a morse code message on it,
too. ;-)

Alan
'just enough to tease ya'

Alan Williams wrote:

I am fortunate enough to have one. There's a morse code message on it,
too. ;-)

Alan
'just enough to tease ya'

Good to see you back again Alan. Figures that a 'nickel' thread would
bring you out of hiding.
"We Will Win When We Work Willingly"

Jud wrote:

Alan Williams wrote:

I am fortunate enough to have one. There's a morse code message on it,
too. ;-)

Alan
'just enough to tease ya'

Good to see you back again Alan. Figures that a 'nickel' thread would
bring you out of hiding.
"We Will Win When We Work Willingly"

Hi Jud! Work's been a bear but I've been still roll-searchig and buying
Mint products, just no time to post! Don't care for the three lense
proof set that wont fit in my 'collectors box' (and so close to the ten
year mark, too!) blinked and missed the First Spouse gold. ;-)

Alan
'look! a coin in the street!'

On Aug 21, 11:07�pm, Alan Williams wrote:
jasthorn wrote:

WW II created a nickel shortage in Canada, so starting part way through
1942, and through all of 1943, Canadian 5 cent coins were struck from a
brass alloy called "tombac". The designers of these coins much have realized
the color would make them easy to confuse with a one cent coin, so they
changed the shape from round to 12 sided. This proved not enough, so in 1942
the traditional beaver design was replaced by the "V" (for victory) design
which was used until the war ended in 1945. But even with the 12 sides and
the new design there was still confusion, so in 1944 the "tombac" alloy was
abandoned and 5 cent coins were struck from chrome plated steel in 1944 and
1945.

This is from the website -http://www.calgarycoin.com/modern/cd5cent.htm

I am fortunate enough to have one. *There's a morse code message on it,
too. ;-)

Alan
'just enough to tease ya'

It's about time, Alan! You've been conspicuously absent for a while.
Glad to have you home.

Jerry

On Aug 21, 10:43 am, Stefano MacGregor wrote:
I remember back in the 1950s that Canadian 5¢ pieces were 12-sided
instead of round (in imitation of English three-penny bits, I've been
told). Does anyone know why they changed to round?

I heard it was due to die cracking by the angles.

In a recent message RWF wrote:

On Aug 21, 10:43 am, Stefano MacGregor wrote:
I remember back in the 1950s that Canadian 5¢ pieces were 12-sided
instead of round (in imitation of English three-penny bits, I've been
told). Does anyone know why they changed to round?

I heard it was due to die cracking by the angles.

There was a similar problem with the UK 3d pieces, so during the war the
corners of the coin were rounded to ease the pressure on the collars.

There is another problem that may be relevant - 12 sided coins do not show
an even diameter for coin operated machines. This is why the seven sided UK
coins have curved sides centred on the opposite apex, so that the diameter
always appears the same, regardless of the orientation when put into the slot.


--
Tony Clayton
Coins of the UK : http://www.coins-of-the-uk.co.uk
Sent using RISCOS on an Acorn Strong Arm RiscPC
.... There's nothing quite so wonderful as money.