DESIGN IN CANADIAN COINS
In keeping with the war measure which necessitated the change in the metallic content of the five cent coins temporarily from nickel to tombac, a new design for the five cent piece having a "Victory" motif was evolved by the Mint staff late in 1942. The (then) Minister of finance selected the most appropriate design from the sketches submitted and the master die was cut in steel direct by the Mint engraver, Thomas Shingles, in time for issue on the 1st of January, 1943.
All designs and master dies for Canadian coins had previously been prepared in the Royal Mint, London, and this was the first occasion that the original matrix and punch for a coin had ever been engraved by the Ottawa Mint.
The design has a impression of the character "V," which indicates the denomination, the Roman numeral for "Five," and is also the symbol "V" for Victory made so popular during that period by Mr. Winston Churchill. To this is conjoined a Torch, emblematic of Sacrifice, the whole designed to convey the idea that victory cometh by sacrifice and willingness to work. The design is surrounded by a Morse code message that reads -
"We win when we work willingly."
It starts at 6 o’clock and runs clockwise. This design was used from 1943 to 1945.
Page created by: muckwa
Changes last made on: 15/01/02
