1942 Tombac Canada 5-cents Extra Fine (EF-40)

1942 Tombac Canada 5-cents Extra Fine (EF-40)

Tombac: As nickel is an important component of stainless steel and other alloys needed for producing war materials, World War II put a large strain on nickel producers. By 1942 it was decided that nickel would have to be suspended as material for coinage for the duration of the war, and experiments were initiated to find a substitute metal for the Canadian 5-cent piece. This led to the adoption of a 12-sided coin made of tombac, a kind of brass. The idea had come from the British 3-penny piece first issued in 1937. The tombac 5-cent coin was given it's shape so that when tarnished it would not be confused with the 1-cent pieces.

Specifications:
Monarch: George VI
Designer and Engraver: Obv.: T.H. Paget, Thomas Shingles, Rev.: G.E. Kruger-Gray, Thomas Shingles
Composition: 0.88 copper, .012 zinc
Weight: 4.54 g
Diameter (12-sided): 21.3 mm (opposite corners), 20.0 mm (opposite sides)
Edge: Plain
Die Axis: ↑ ↑
Mintage: 3,396,234