5 Cents - Elizabeth II (D-Day)

The 2004 Canadian five-cent coin, featuring a large 'P' mark beneath the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, was issued to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, this coin was part of a broader effort to honor the significant role played by Canadian troops during the Second World War. The 'P' mint mark signified that the coin was produced using a specific plating process, marking a technical shift in how the mint manufactured its circulation currency during that era.

The design of the coin retains the iconic beaver emblem on the reverse, a staple of Canadian nickel coinage since 1937, which was originally created by artist G.E. Kruger-Gray to represent the importance of the fur trade in Canadian history. While the reverse remained consistent with tradition, the inclusion of the commemorative mark on the obverse—designed by Susanna Blunt—anchored the coin to the historic 1944 events. It was well-received by the numismatic community as a subtle but meaningful way to integrate military remembrance into daily commerce.