Canadian World War II Collection

This collection includes two of the major changes to Canadian coinage during World War II, both to accommodate material shortages and to boost wartime morale.

Victory Nickel:

By 1943, Canada had become fully enmeshed in World War II, and much of Canada’s war efforts focused on industrial production. As men went on duty overseas, women entered the labor force, many of whom worked in the nation’s factories. Canada provided a variety of arms, ships and aircrafts, typically provided to Britain. During the early 1940s, Canada was providing as much as 85% of the world’s nickel resource for the war effort. 

Internally, the country rationed raw materials such as nickel, as it sent much of these resources overseas. These commemorative issue 5 cent coins were minted from Tombac, a type of copper-zinc alloy, and were used until 1946. Nickels were 12 sided coins so as to distinguish them from the 1 cent coin. A “V” for victory was a prominent mark to distinguish war time nickels, with the Canadian Beaver taking a momentary hiatus from its place on coinage. Around the rim of these coins, stamped in morse code reads the message, “We win when we work willingly.”

Meat Ration Token:

Internal rationing of resources within Canada became a necessity, due to considerable financial costs from the war effort. From 1939-1940, they incurred $118,291,000 in cost, but the following year this cost jumped to $752,045,000 and the accumulated costs by 1949-1950 was a staggering $21,786,077,519.12.

A token system was implemented for consumers to obtain rationed goods. Eight of these blue meat ration tokens were equal to one ration, and offered a method to make change should the consumer require a half portion.

All items include a Certificate of Authenticity.