Recently I almost spent this 5 cent piece as a penny. I noticed it was a bit larger than 1 cent and discovered it was 5 cents. I took it home & tried to pick it up with a magnet but couldn't pick it up. I believe this 1998 Canadian 5 cent is copper. Can anyone tell me about it. I have never saw one like this before. I know that in the 1940's some 5 cent pieces were tombac, but this is a 1998. I would appreciate any information you can give me about this.

It is possible that it is an off-metal strike. What can you tell us about its weight, and thickness?

I don't know how much weight is. It is the same size and thickness and appearance as an ordinary 1998 Cdn. Nickel, only this is copper.

The 1998 nickel was 75% copper, Correct? Looks like its discolored from Maybe being in the ground. Or maybe an acid treatment?

No I don't believe that is correct because a magnet will pick up a regular 1998 nickel, but not this one.

If a coin is minted in 100% nickel, it will get attracted to a magnet, or else alloyed, a magnet will not pick it up.

Correct. Canadian 5c from 1982 onwards are copper-nickel.



I like that theory.

A manget shouldn't be picking up any 1998 nickel, only those from 1981 and earlier, and those 1999 and later that have a "P" under her majesty's head.

Regular 5 cent pieces of 1998 are copper- nickel- 75%copper, 25% nickel. Copper -nickel coins are not magnetic, but the earlier pure nickel pieces are magnetic. The later plated pieces are also magnetic.
This piece appears discoloured, as if it had been buried or had been chemically treated. Some copper-nickel coins can discolour or tone a copperish colour, but they don't look like this one.