‘Any history behind them’. Yes >
From that link above:
To help promote the war effort, this new design consists in a central "V", meaning
both victory and the value underneath flanked by two maple leaves,
on which is superimposed a torch, with on both sides a part of the year and
above the country name. Around the rim is the Morse code message.
Also:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tombac
A metal not often used for coins.