Newfoundland five cents facts for kids
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The Newfoundland five-cent coin was a small silver coin used in Newfoundland (now part of Canada) a long time ago. It was first made in 1865. This coin was special because the tools to make it were designed after the one-cent coin, so it didn't have much text or "legend" on it. The very first design was similar to a coin from New Brunswick, but with "Newfoundland" instead.
Contents
Queen Victoria's Five-Cent Coin (1865-1896)
The first five-cent coins showed Queen Victoria with a laurel wreath on her head. These coins were made for many years.
What it Looked Like
These coins were designed by Leonard C. Wyon. They were made mostly of silver (92.5% silver and 7.5% copper). Each coin weighed about 1.18 grams and was about 15.49 millimeters wide. That's about the size of a modern dime!
| Years | Designer | What it was made of | Weight | Size (Diameter) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1865–1876 | Leonard C. Wyon | .925 silver, .075 copper | 1.18 grams | 15.49 mm |
How Many Were Made
Many of these coins were produced over the years. The number of coins made each year is called the "mintage."
| Year | Number Made |
|---|---|
| 1865 | 80,000 |
| 1870 | 40,000 |
| 1872H | 40,000 |
| 1873 | 44,260 |
| 1876H | 20,000 |
| 1880 | 40,000 |
| 1881 | 40,000 |
| 1882H | 60,000 |
| 1885 | 16,000 |
| 1888 | 40,000 |
| 1890 | 160,000 |
| 1894 | 160,000 |
| 1896 | 400,000 |
King Edward VII's Five-Cent Coin (1903-1908)
After Queen Victoria, her son Edward VII became king. New five-cent coins were made with his portrait.
Coin Design
The front side (called the "obverse") of these coins was the same as the coins used in the rest of Canada. The back side (called the "reverse") had a brand new design created by George W. DeSaulles. This was one of the last coin designs he made before he passed away.
How Many Were Made
Here's how many five-cent coins were made during King Edward VII's reign:
| Year | Number Made |
|---|---|
| 1903 | 100,000 |
| 1904H | 100,000 |
| 1908 | 400,000 |
King George V's Five-Cent Coin (1912-1929)
Next came George V, Edward VII's son. The five-cent coin designs changed again to show his portrait.
Coin Details
The front of these coins was the same as the Canadian coins of that time. The back of the coin kept the same design as the earlier Newfoundland Edward VII five-cent coin.
| Designer | Engraver | What it was made of | Weight (1912) | Weight (1917-1929) | Size (1912) | Size (1917-1929) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir E.B. MacKennal | George W. DeSaulles | .925 silver, .075 copper | 1.18 grams | 1.17 grams | 15.49 mm | 15.69 mm |
How Many Were Made
Here are the numbers for the five-cent coins made during King George V's time:
| Year | Number Made |
|---|---|
| 1912 | 300,000 |
| 1917C | 300,319 |
| 1919C | 100,844 |
| 1929 | 300,000 |
King George VI's Five-Cent Coin (1938-1947)
When George VI became king, there was a big discussion in Newfoundland. Should they keep making silver five-cent coins, or switch to nickel ones? In the end, they decided to only change the one-cent coin. The five-cent coin kept its old back design. The front of the coin showed King George VI's portrait (called an "effigy"), which was standard for British colonial coins.
The 1946 five-cent coin had the lowest mintage (meaning the fewest coins made) of any five-cent coin. It's thought that the 1946 coins were actually made in 1947. Because of this, the numbers for 1946 and 1947 are not considered official.
Coin Details
The coins from 1938 to 1944 were made of 92.5% silver. From 1945 to 1947, they used a bit less silver, with 80% silver and 20% copper.
| Designer | Engraver | What it was made of (1938-1944) | What it was made of (1945-1947) | Weight | Size (1938) | Size (1940-1947) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percy Metcalfe | George W. DeSaulles | .925 silver, .075 copper | .800 silver, .200 copper | 1.17 grams | 15.69 mm | 15.49 mm |
How Many Were Made
Here are the mintages for the five-cent coins during King George VI's reign:
| Year | Number Made |
|---|---|
| 1938 | 100,000 |
| 1940C | 200,000 |
| 1941C | 612,641 |
| 1942C | 298,348 |
| 1943C | 351,666 |
| 1944C | 286,504 |
| 1945C | 203,828 |
| 1946C | 2,041 |
| 1947C | 38,400 |
