Canada: George V Specimen 5 Cents 1921 SP66+ PCGS,...

Description

Finest Certified Specimen 66+ 1921 5 Cent

George V Specimen 5 Cents 1921 SP66+ PCGS, Ottawa mint, KM22a. From our January 2003 sale of the Sid and Alicia Belzberg Collection where it was described, "Slightly mottled, ash-gray toning with bold devices and no substantial flaws. Often called the "Prince of Canadian coins," this issue stands alone within the entire Canadian 5 Cent series. Over two million pieces were melted, and it appears that only a few hundred were released by the mint with almost all of these going into circulation. Common knowledge suggests that the few surviving high-grade pieces were given to visitors to the Ottawa Mint in 1921 or sold to numismatists. This coin was sold by John Pittman, at the 1959 CNA Convention, to Roger Boulais for the exorbitant sum of $1,000." All of these details remain the same today as they were 12 years ago. The astounding story of this legendary 5 Cent piece begins in May of 1921 with Canadian government legislation to change the 5 Cent piece, from the previous silver, to nickel. Over 2,500,000 pieces of silver 5 Cents had been struck and a decision was made to melt these coins, as well as all silver 5 Cents being held in reserve. Many of these were dated 1920, and virtually all of the 1921 mintage went in the melting pot. It is generally thought that a small number of 1921 pieces were given as souvenirs to mint visitors, mint employees, etc. Hardly more than 400 regular issue coins survive, with possibly 6-8 Specimens. Only 4 Specimen pieces have been certified by PCGS, with this piece being much the finer of the 4 coins.
Ex. Belzberg Collection
From The Eric Beckman Collection of Canadian Coins


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