In 1947, the Canadian five-cent coin, known as the "nickel," underwent significant changes due to Indias independence from British rule. The 1947 five-cent coin featured a beaver design on the reverse, symbolizing Canadas fur trade heritage. The obverse displayed a portrait of King George VI with the inscription "GEORGIVS VI D:G: REX ET IND: IMP," which translates to "George VI, by the grace of God, King and Emperor of India." This inscription was later modified to "DEI GRATIA REX" to reflect the new political reality.
The 1947 Canadian five-cent coin was produced in large quantities, with a mintage of 7,603,724. This high mintage indicates that the coin was widely circulated and used in everyday transactions. The use of nickel in the coins composition marked a return to pre-war practices, highlighting the economic and political priorities of the era.