The 1858 five-cent coin is recognized as Canada's first official nickel denomination, although it was actually struck in sterling silver rather than nickel. Issued by the Province of Canada and produced by the Royal Mint in London, it formed part of the first decimal coinage created for what is now Canada, alongside the 1, 10, and 20-cent pieces.
Struck in 92.5% silver, the coin weighs just 1.16 grams and measures 15.5 mm in diameter, making it one of the smallest silver coins ever issued for Canadian circulation. The obverse features a youthful portrait of Queen Victoria wearing a laurel wreath, while the reverse displays a royal crown above two maple branches, an iconic design by Leonard Charles Wyon.
Approximately 1.46 million pieces were minted in 1858. Collectors today actively seek the various date styles and overdate varieties, including the scarce 5/5 overdate and the famous Double 8 varieties found on the large-date issues.
More than 165 years after its release, the 1858 silver five-cent coin remains a cornerstone of Canadian numismatics, representing the beginning of Canada's decimal silver coinage and the foundation of the country's five-cent denomination.
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