5 cents 1951
The date on the image can be different from the year selected.
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the discovery and naming of the element nickel by Swedish chemist A.F. Cronstedt, it was decided to produce a special circulating 5-cent coin. During World War I, Canada had become the world's largest producer of nickel with over 90% of global production (95% exported). Read more »
Because nickel was needed for the Korean War, the production of 1952 5 cents coins began in 1951 with the design of the beaver and a composition of mostly steel. Missing chrome variety exist, but chrome can be chemically removed from coins and this variety is no longer recognized by the third party grading services.
5 cents 1951 prices and values
The value of a Canadian coin depends on several factors such as quality and wear, supply and demand, rarity, finish and more.
- Circulated
- Mint state
- Not for circulation
| Variety | AG-3 | G-4 | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 - Low Relief | - | - | $0.25 | $0.30 | $0.50 | $1.00 | $1.95 |
| 1951 - High Relief | - | - | $441 | $621 | $788 | $1,320 | $2,120 |
| 1951 - Comm. (1751-1951) | - | - | $0.25 | $0.35 | $0.40 | $1.00 | $2.20 |
| 1951 - Comm. (1751-1951) - Half moon | - | - | - | - | $1.00 | $1.95 | $3.00 |
Circulated: 5 cents 1951 coins are business strike coins showing signs of circulation and/or wear.
Values and details of proof-like, specimen and proof coins are grouped under not intended for circulation tab. Select a date or variety to find the values and prices of all grades available.
| Variety | MS-60 | MS-62 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 - Low Relief | $3.90 | $6.40 | $13.00 | $22.00 | $114 | $572 | - |
| 1951 - High Relief | $2,940 | $3,590 | $4,080 | $4,490 | $4,680 | - | - |
| 1951 - Comm. (1751-1951) | $4.00 | $4.50 | $10.30 | $22.30 | $89.70 | $192 | - |
| 1951 - Comm. (1751-1951) - Half moon | $9.80 | $14.70 | $24.50 | $125 | - | - | - |
Mint state defines business strike coins that barely or never has been in circulation.
Values and details of proof-like, specimen and proof coins are grouped under not intended for circulation tab. Select a date or variety to find the values and prices of all grades available.
Varieties and features
5 cents 1951 - Low Relief
The last "A" of GRATIA points between two denticules. The reverse must show a beaver.
- Mintage:
- Circulation: Included above.
- Alloy and composition: Nickel and chrome-plated steel
- Magnetism: Magnetic
- Weight: 4.54 g
- Diameter: 21.3 mm
- Edge: Plain (smooth)
- Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
- Minted by: Royal Canadian Mint
- Finish(es) (types):
- Circulation
- Legend (lettering):
- Obverse: GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA REX
- Reverse: 5 CENTS CANADA 1951
- Design(s):
- Obverse: Bust of King George VI.
- Reverse: Beaver on log.
- Designer(s):
- Obverse: Thomas Humphrey Paget
- Reverse: G. E. Kruger-Gray
5 cents 1951 - High Relief
The last "A" of GRATIA points to a denticule. The reverse must show a beaver.
- Mintage:
- Circulation: 4,313,410
- Alloy and composition: Nickel and chrome-plated steel
- Magnetism: Magnetic
- Weight: 4.54 g
- Diameter: 21.3 mm
- Edge: Plain (smooth)
- Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
- Minted by: Royal Canadian Mint
- Finish(es) (types):
- Circulation
- Specimen
- Legend (lettering):
- Obverse: GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA REX
- Reverse: 5 CENTS CANADA 1951
- Design(s):
- Obverse: Bust of King George VI.
- Reverse: Beaver on log.
- Designer(s):
- Obverse: Thomas Humphrey Paget
- Reverse: G. E. Kruger-Gray
5 cents 1951 - Comm. (1751-1951)
This coin was produced to commemorate the nickel element discovered by A.F. Cronstedt in 1751. The design depicts a nickel refinery.
- Mintage:
- Circulation: 8,239,321
- Alloy and composition: Nickel
- Magnetism: Magnetic
- Weight: 4.54 g
- Diameter: 21.3 mm
- Edge: Plain (smooth)
- Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
- Minted by: Royal Canadian Mint
- Finish(es) (types):
- Circulation
- Specimen
- Legend (lettering):
- Obverse: GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA REX
- Reverse: CANADA NICKEL 1751-1951 5 CENTS
- Design(s):
- Obverse: Bust of King George VI.
- Reverse: A nickel refinery.
- Designer(s):
- Obverse: Thomas Humphrey Paget
- Reverse: Stephan Trenka
5 cents 1951 - Comm. (1751-1951) - Half moon
- Mintage:
- Circulation: Included above.
- Alloy and composition: Nickel
- Magnetism: Magnetic
- Weight: 4.54 g
- Diameter: 21.3 mm
- Edge: Plain (smooth)
- Axis (orientation): ↑↑ (medal alignment)
- Minted by: Royal Canadian Mint
- Finish(es) (types):
- Circulation
- Legend (lettering):
- Obverse: GEORGIVS VI DEI GRATIA REX
- Reverse: CANADA NICKEL 1751-1951 5 CENTS
- Design(s):
- Obverse: Bust of King George VI.
- Reverse: A nickel refinery.
- Designer(s):
- Obverse: Thomas Humphrey Paget
- Reverse: Stephan Trenka
Errors and varieties from the community
Most of the following pictures come from the generous contribution of the community. Titles attributed to them doesn't always reflect the exact error or variety on them. Feel free to let us know in the discussion board if you see one picture that need to be fixed.
| Miscellaneous / Unclassified | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| #2244 | 5 cents 1951 - Chimney | patrick66patrick450 |
| #1490 | 5 cents 1951 - Double CentsZoell #R183c - Canadian Coin - Variety Catalog - 2nd Edition - 1962 | lamothe |
| #1737 | 5 cents 1951 - Fading R of Georgivs | centurion |
| #2259 | 5 cents 1951 - Line on king's headZoell #F182b - | centurion |
Auctions prices and values
Renowned collections
Recent sales of coins from famous collections and identified on third party holders are listed below.
- October 22, 2023 - Victoria North - $145 - ICCS (MS-65) Comm. (1751-1951)
- April 30, 2020 - Pittman - $276 - ICCS (SP-64) Comm. (1751-1951)
- February 21, 2020 - Pittman - $1,904 - NGC (MS-61) High Relief
- September 9, 2019 - Belzberg - $1,264 - PCGS (SP-67) Comm. (1751-1951)
- August 25, 2019 - Cook - $509 - PCGS (SP-65) Comm. (1751-1951)
- August 15, 2019 - Cook - $3,354 - PCGS (SP-66) High Relief
- August 15, 2019 - Cook - $4,792 - PCGS (SP-66) High Relief
View the average prices of certified 5 cents 1951 sold at auctions »
Last update : Sunday, January 21, 2024
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