500th Post Contest

This should be my 500th post as I make this contest. I have been wondering what to do for some time now and cannot come up with anything I really like. So this will have to do!

Prizes
The prizes are in honor of the just-past Veteran's Day. And I can assure you my lousy pics are a mockery to the actual coins.


First of all we have a silver-dollar-sized, 1978 Veteran's Memorial Medal/Token featuring the American flag being raised on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima. I thank God for the men who fought so you and I could have the privileges we enjoy - extending even to having fun like this on CCF.

I am from the US. However, Canadians and their country are also very dear to my heart. Our nations share a unique friendship, and Canadians have shown (so) many times that they love the US. So what better thing to do than make this a Vets memorial for our Northern Neighbors also? So I am giving away an example of one of my favorite coins ... a Canadian, wartime 1943 Tombac Nickel.

The ingenious design on this nickel primarily displays Winston Churchill's "V for Victory" on the REV. However, instead of rim denticles around the edge, there is a (hidden) message in Morse Code! How many millions of people used/have seen these coins with no idea the message is there?

This nickel is from an original bank roll and still has some luster. Unlike the pic, it looks really nice in hand.

RULES:
OK - so what do you do to win?
Two things must be answered:
1. The easy part - what is the message in Morse code the Canadian mint put on their wartime nickels?

2. The hard part - The first coin I ever bought was in the early 70's, was labeled "UNC," and cost me 9.00 (a decent price at the time).
a. What was the coin?
b. What was the date?

Obviously number 2 is not deducible. So answers will be random guesses. As time goes on, I will narrow the field.

Please, one guess per day person per day. Also, to participate, make sure you have enough posts per forum rules.

I will be checking at least once a day. The first post displayed with all 3 answers correct is the winner.




edited for syntax (wanna be picky? Subject verb agreement )