Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 5 Cents 1955-1962, KM# 50a, Canada, Elizabeth II
  • 5 Cents 1955-1962, KM# 50a, Canada, Elizabeth II
  • 5 Cents 1955-1962, KM# 50a, Canada, Elizabeth II, 1957 Bugtail Reverse Variety
Description

The beaver has a long history in Canada as both commodity and cultural icon. The Hurons honoured the beaver hundreds of years ago as the totem of their tribe. Native peoples used the beaver emblem to sign treaties with the first colonists. Since then the beaver has appeared in the heraldic bearings of Québec City and Montreal and even marked Canada's first postage stamp. The beaver coin design was created by Canadian artist G.E. Kruger Gray and was first used in 1937.

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 1926–2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and of 14 other Commonwealth realms. Her reign of 70 years and seven months, which began on 6 February 1952, was the longest of any British monarch in history.

When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth—then 25 years old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonisation of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union. The number of her realms varied over time as territories have gained independence and some realms have become republics.

Times of personal significance have included the births and marriages of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, her coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively.

Obverse

First portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II (laureate bust) facing right, wearing a wreath. It was introduced in 1953, one year after the Queen acceded to the throne. It captures the grace and youth of the 26-year-old new Queen. Her hair is restrained by a laureate crown which is tied with ribbons at the back of her head. The Queen's shoulders are bare and the truncation follows the curve of the coin. The engravers initials M.G. are incuse, generally faint, and are located on the raised edge found at the base of the bust.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen

Engraver: Mary Gillick

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA
M·G·

Reverse

Depicts a beaver (left) on a rock in a river, over the country name and date, facial value above, flanked on both sides by a maple leaf.

The beaver (genus Castor) is a large, primarily nocturnal, semiaquatic rodent. Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges (homes). Their colonies create one or more dams to provide still, deep water to protect against predators, and to float food and building material.

Engraver: George Edward Kruger Gray

5 CENTS
K·G
CANADA
1962

Edge

5 Cents

1st portrait, Polygon
KM# 50a Schön# 49a
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Characteristics
Material Nickel
Weight 4.54 g
Diameter 21.234 mm
Thickness 1.7 mm
Shape polygon
Sides 12
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM)

Related coins

Silver, 1.167 g, ⌀ 15.494 mm

Silver, 1.167 g, ⌀ 15.494 mm

Silver, 1.167 g, ⌀ 15.494 mm