• Prior to World War II, Canada’s 5 Cents coin was made in 1.000 nickel.

• Nickel was important to Canada’s World War II effort.

• It is a component in stainless steel and other alloys vital for producing war materiel.

• In 1942, it was decided to suspend nickel coinage for the duration of the war.

• An alloy known as tombac was developed to replace nickel in the 5 Cents coin.

• Tombac is a type of brass made from .880 copper and .120 zinc.

• The first tombac 5 Cents coin was made in 1942.

• The 1942 coin was the first 12-sided 5 Cents coin;  the shape distinguished it from other coins.

• The reverse shows the beaver design.

• In 1943, a new reverse design was used – a torch and “V” for “victory” to help promote the war effort.

• A code message “We Win When We Work Willingly” is inscribed around the rim on the reverse.

• Copper and zinc were also needed for the war effort, so in 1944 and 1945 the composition of the 5 Cents coin was changed to steel.

• The 1944 and 1945 steel coins also show the torch and “V” design.

• The nickel coin returned in 1946, after the war ended.

• There are 4 coins in the set – one from each year from 1942 to 1945.

• Two coins are tombac and two are steel.

• The obverse of each coin shows the portrait of King George VI.

• The collection comes in a custom display with a Certificate of Authenticity.