Sudbury's Big Nickel turns 60

It’s a unique landmark that has become synonymous with the name ‘Sudbury’ and July 22 marks a special birthday.

The Big Nickel in Sudbury, Ont. is shown on Sunday May 22, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Gino Donato)

Dignitaries from all over the city and region will likely gather at Dynamic Earth as the iconic piece of the city’s skyline turns 60-years-old.

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For Jim Szilva, who was born and raised in Sudbury, it’s not just part of his own community – it is a part of his family’s legacy. It was July 22, 1964, when his father Ted Szilva opened his Centennial Park that featured ‘The Big Nickel.’

“He was just so awesome, he was passionate about the city, he was passionate about life, he was passionate about helping people,” Szilva told CTV News.

Ted Szilva was a 28-year-old firefighter at the time, who had the idea of opening up a park that would focus on coin collecting and mining. He wanted something that paid tribute to the city’s roots.

He helped to find the funds himself to build a nine-metre tall, 1951 Canadian nickel that remains the world’s largest depiction of a coin as of the date of this publication.

Given its current status in Greater Sudbury, it’s almost hard to believe the city didn’t originally want it and fought Szilva tooth and nail.

“The city of Sudbury at the time would not give me a building permit, when I started to build, they took a court injunction out and said that I couldn’t build it in the city limits but I got a three-acre lease from Inco,” Ted Szilva told CTV News back in 2009.

It didn’t deter the former and original owner. He built his part on the edge of the former city with Inco’s blessing.

A young Ted Szilva in front of his legendary coin. (Sudbury Tourism)

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There were several coins that joined that originally joined the Big Nickel along with a mine and a train that would ferry you around the park. But it was the Big Nickel that’s endured.

“He had to overcome so many challenges, so many obstacles and when you learn about how things would just fall into place, it certainly just wasn’t luck,” said Jim Szilva.

Sudbury lost Ted Szilva in 2016, he passed away at the age of 81 but was alive long enough to help celebrate the coin’s 50th anniversary.

His family still calls the city home and still … is witness to the legacy he helped create.

“It just gives you a great feeling, I know all of us are so proud of my Dad,” Jim said.

“I know if he were still here, he’d be just as proud.”

The father and son were able to create a book detailing the history of the iconic landmark called ‘The Big Nickel: The Untold Story’ which is still available through Amazon.

Inside the book, it tells the story of how former Sudbury Regional Chair Tom Davies visited the Honolulu mayor, who had a picture of himself with the Big Nickel.

It’s drawn tourists from all over the world.

The Big Nickel is a unique landmark that has become synonymous with the name ‘Sudbury.’ (Sudbury Tourism)

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Nickel may not be worth as much today as it was then, but the one in Sudbury to this city, will always be priceless.