Reverse At the top is a crown – the symbol of British rulers. To the left, bottom, and right along the rim are crossed maple branches, tied together with a ribbon forming a bow. In the central part is a three-line inscription in English: '5 cents 1891'.
Obverse To the left, top, and right along the rim is the inscription 'VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA', which translates from Latin as 'Victoria, by the grace of God, Queen'. In the central part is a left-facing portrait of Queen Victoria, below it the country name Canada in English: 'CANADA'.