In 1946, the Canadian five-cent coin, known as the "nickel," returned to its traditional nickel composition after wartime adjustments. The 1946 five-cent coin featured a beaver design on the reverse, symbolizing Canadas fur trade heritage. The obverse displayed a portrait of King George VI. These design elements reflected Canadas national identity and economic history. The use of nickel in the coins composition marked a return to pre-war practices, highlighting the economic and political priorities of the era.
The 1946 Canadian five-cent coin was produced in large quantities, with a mintage of 6,952,684. This high mintage indicates that the coin was widely circulated and used in everyday transactions. The return to nickel composition in the 1946 five-cent coin was a significant development in Canadas coinage history, reflecting the countrys recovery and return to normalcy after the war.