Page "Nickel (Canadian coin)" Paragraph 7

The nickel's composition has changed several times, most notably during World War II and the Korean War when nickel was redirected to the war effort, where it was essential for armor production.

In the latter part of 1942 and throughout 1943, the coins were minted in tombac, a copper-zinc alloy ; in 1944 and 1945, and again from mid-1951 to 1954, coins were made of steel which was plated twice, first with nickel and then chromium.

The plating was applied before the blanks were struck, so the edges of these coins are dull or even rusted.

The composition was returned to pure nickel after both wars.

More recently, in 1982, the same copper-nickel alloy used in the American coin was adopted in the Canadian coin, with the ironic result that the nickel then contained less nickel than any other circulating Canadian coin except the cent.

Since late in 2000, the nickel is now generally made with plated steel.

Since the plating is now done after the blanks are punched, the edges of the modern coins receive the plating.

Portions of the 2001 and 2006 issues were struck in cupro-nickel, and can be identified by the lack of the letter P under Queen Elizabeth's portrait, and their non-magnetic quality.