5 Cents - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait modified

The "modified" designation refers to a subtle but deliberate repositioning of Machin's effigy, reduced in size and shifted to better suit Canadian striking equipment. The change was implemented quietly across denominations starting in 1979 — no announcement, no fanfare — as the Mint worked through ongoing problems with die wear and strike consistency on the nickel planchets.

By 1982, the entire portrait question became moot when Dora de Pédery-Hunt's third effigy replaced Machin's entirely.