5 Cents - George VI (Victory; steel)

The 1944 Canadian five-cent coin, featuring the iconic 'Victory' design, was minted during a period of critical metal shortages necessitated by the Second World War. As nickel was a vital strategic material required for the production of armor plating and munitions, the Royal Canadian Mint transitioned to a chromium-plated steel composition to support the war effort. This marked a significant departure from the traditional nickel-based coinage, reflecting the resourcefulness required to maintain domestic currency circulation during the conflict.

The reverse design was created by the Canadian artist Thomas Shingles, who served as the chief engraver for the Royal Canadian Mint. Shingles incorporated a large V, representing both the numeral five and the 'V for Victory' symbol popularized by Winston Churchill. The design features a flaming torch flanked by the V, with a message in Morse code around the rim that translates to 'We win when we work willingly.' It was a highly patriotic piece of propaganda that resonated with a public deeply invested in the Allied cause, standing as a permanent emblem of Canadian morale during the mid-1940s.