Canadian silver follows a different map than US coinage: sterling (92.5%) before 1920, then 80% silver for nearly five decades, then a messy two-year transition through 50% silver before pure nickel took over in 1968. Huge amounts of it crossed the border, so Canadian silver turns up constantly in US coin lots — often unrecognized.
Date and purity map
| Denomination | Dates | Purity | Silver content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10¢ dime | 1858–1919 | 92.5% | 0.0691 ozt |
| 10¢ dime | 1920–1966 | 80% | 0.0600 ozt |
| 10¢ dime | 1967–1968 | 80% / 50% | 0.0600 / 0.0375 ozt |
| 25¢ quarter | 1870–1919 | 92.5% | 0.1728 ozt |
| 25¢ quarter | 1920–1966 | 80% | 0.1500 ozt |
| 25¢ quarter | 1967–1968 | 80% / 50% | 0.1500 / 0.0937 ozt |
| 50¢ half | 1920–1967 | 80% | 0.3000 ozt |
| $1 dollar | 1935–1967 | 80% | 0.6000 ozt |
From 1968 onward, circulating Canadian coins are nickel (later nickel- or steel-plated) with no silver, apart from collector issues sold by the Royal Canadian Mint.
The 1967–1968 trap years
Canada’s centennial year is the tricky one. 1967 dimes and quarters exist in both 80% and 50% silver, struck to the same design with no visible difference. 1968 dimes and quarters exist in both 50% silver and pure nickel. Two practical rules:
- For 1968 coins, a magnet settles it — nickel sticks, silver does not.
- For 1967 coins there is no home test; buyers commonly assume the conservative 50% unless coins are certified otherwise.
Valuing Canadian silver
The math is the same as any silver coin — weight × purity × spot (see the melt-value formula). The shortcut for the 1920–1966 era: $1 face value of 80% Canadian silver contains 0.600 troy ounces. The Canadian silver calculator has every denomination and era built in, valued at the live silver spot price.
Don’t overlook the big coins: the 80% silver dollars (Voyageur design) hold 0.6 ozt each, and many — like the 1958 “Death Dollar” or low-mintage 1948 — carry collector value well above melt.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 1967 Canadian quarter silver?
Yes, but in one of two purities: 1967 dimes and quarters were struck in both 80% and 50% silver as Canada transitioned away from silver. They look identical; dealers typically price mixed 1967 coins conservatively as 50%.
How can I tell a silver 1968 Canadian coin from a nickel one?
Use a magnet. 1968 dimes and quarters were struck in both 50% silver and pure nickel — the nickel ones stick to a magnet, the silver ones do not.
Are Canadian silver coins worth less than US junk silver?
Per ounce of contained silver the metal is identical, but 80% and 50% Canadian coins usually trade at slightly lower premiums than US 90% because the US market is larger. That can make Canadian silver a cheap way to stack.