Which Canadian Coins Are Silver?

If you have ever dug through a jar of old Canadian change and wondered whether any of those coins are worth more than face value, the answer is almost certainly yes — if you have anything dated before 1968. Canada used silver in its circulation coinage for over a century, from the Province of Canada’s first decimal coins in 1858 through the late 1960s. This guide covers every denomination, every era, and exactly how much silver is in each coin.

The Sterling Era (1858–1919)

Canada’s earliest decimal coins were struck in sterling silver — 92.5% pure — following the British tradition. The remaining 7.5% was copper, added for durability. Four denominations contained silver during this period:

• 5 cents — 1.16–1.17g, 15.5mm diameter
• 10 cents — 2.32g, 18.034mm diameter
• 25 cents — 5.81–5.83g, 23.62mm diameter
• 50 cents — 11.62g, 29.72mm diameter

These coins are among the most collectible in Canadian numismatics. Victorian-era pieces (1858–1901) and early Edwardian issues carry substantial premiums above their silver melt value, especially in higher grades. If you are new to grading, our coin grading guide explains the Sheldon scale and what to look for.

The 80% Silver Era (1920–1967)

After the First World War, the price of silver rose to the point where the metal in a sterling coin was worth more than the coin’s face value. In 1920, Canada reduced the silver content of its coinage from 92.5% to 80%, with the remaining 20% being copper. This change affected all silver denominations.

There was one major casualty: the 5-cent coin. It was struck in 80% silver only in 1920 and 1921. From 1922 onward, the 5-cent piece switched permanently to nickel — which is how the coin earned the name “nickel” that Canadians still use today.

The 80% silver standard remained stable for nearly half a century. During this era, the silver dollar was introduced in 1935, giving collectors a fourth denomination to look for:

• 10 cents — 2.33g, 18.034mm
• 25 cents — 5.83g, 23.62–23.88mm
• 50 cents — 11.66g, 29.72mm
• 1 dollar — 23.3g, 36.06mm (from 1935)

This era produced some of the most iconic Canadian coin designs, including the Voyageur dollar, the Bluenose dime, and the Caribou quarter — images that became deeply embedded in Canadian identity. For a look at the most famous designs, see our guide to famous Canadian circulation coins.

The Transition Years (1967–1968)

By the mid-1960s, rising silver prices created the same problem again. The Royal Canadian Mint began planning a transition away from silver, but it did not happen overnight. The result was two confusing years where both silver and non-silver versions of the same coins circulated side by side.

1967: The Centennial Year

Canada celebrated its 100th anniversary with a special set of circulation coins designed by artist Alex Colville, featuring wildlife on every denomination. Early 1967 production used the standard 80% silver for dimes, quarters, and half dollars. Partway through the year, the Mint switched some production to 50% silver (50% copper). Both versions look identical — you cannot tell them apart by eye.

1968: The Final Silver Year

In 1968, the transition accelerated. Some dimes and quarters were struck in 50% silver, while others were struck in pure nickel. The 50-cent piece and dollar switched entirely to nickel in 1968.

The Magnet Test

The fastest way to sort a pile of Canadian coins is with a simple refrigerator magnet. Here is what to expect:

Era	Composition	Magnetic?
1858–1919	92.5% silver (sterling)	Usually Yes
1920–1967	80% silver	No
1967–1968	50% silver	No
1968–1999	100% nickel	No
2000–present	Multi-ply plated steel	Yes

The magnet test is extremely useful for sorting. Steel coins (2000+) are strongly magnetic, and most pure-nickel circulation coins (1968–1999) are magnetic as well. Silver coins are not magnetic. For 1967–1968 transition-year coins, confirm by date and weight.

Silver Content Reference Table

The table below shows every Canadian circulation denomination that contained silver, organized by denomination and era. The “Pure Silver” columns show how much actual silver is in each coin after accounting for purity.

5 Cents

Years	Silver %	Weight (g)	Diameter (mm)	Pure Silver (g)	Pure Silver (oz t)
1858–1910	92.5%	1.16	15.5	1.073	0.0345
1910–1919	92.5%	1.17	15.5	1.082	0.0348
1920–1921	80%	1.17	15.5	0.936	0.0301
1922+	Nickel (no silver content)

10 Cents

Years	Silver %	Weight (g)	Diameter (mm)	Pure Silver (g)	Pure Silver (oz t)
1858–1919	92.5%	2.32	18.034	2.146	0.0690
1920–1967	80%	2.33	18.034	1.864	0.0599
1967–1968	50%	2.33	18.034	1.165	0.0375
1968+	Nickel, then steel (no silver content)

25 Cents

Years	Silver %	Weight (g)	Diameter (mm)	Pure Silver (g)	Pure Silver (oz t)
1870–1910	92.5%	5.81	23.62	5.374	0.1728
1910–1919	92.5%	5.83	23.62	5.393	0.1734
1920–1952	80%	5.83	23.62	4.664	0.1500
1953–1967	80%	5.83	23.88	4.664	0.1500
1967–1968	50%	5.83	23.88	2.915	0.0937
1968+	Nickel, then steel (no silver content)

50 Cents

Years	Silver %	Weight (g)	Diameter (mm)	Pure Silver (g)	Pure Silver (oz t)
1870–1919	92.5%	11.62	29.72	10.749	0.3456
1920–1967	80%	11.66	29.72	9.328	0.2999
1968+	Nickel, then steel (no silver content)

1 Dollar

Years	Silver %	Weight (g)	Diameter (mm)	Pure Silver (g)	Pure Silver (oz t)
1935–1967	80%	23.3	36.06	18.640	0.5993
1968+	Nickel, then loonie (no silver content)

How to Calculate Melt Value

The melt value of a silver coin is the value of the pure silver it contains at today’s spot price. The formula is straightforward:

Example: 1960 Canadian Quarter

Let’s calculate the melt value of a common 1960 quarter step by step:

1. Weight: 5.83 grams
2. Purity: 80% (0.80)
3. Pure silver content: 5.83 × 0.80 = 4.664 grams
4. Convert to troy ounces: 4.664 ÷ 31.1035 = 0.1500 troy oz
5. Multiply by spot price: If silver is US$30.00/oz, then 0.1500 × $30.00 = US$4.50

That same quarter has a face value of $0.25 CAD. At US$30 silver, the metal alone is worth roughly 18 times the face value. At higher silver prices, the multiple only increases.

The Dollar Coin: A Collector’s Favourite

The Canadian silver dollar holds a special place in numismatics. Introduced in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, it became one of Canada’s most beloved coin series. At 23.3 grams of 80% silver, each coin contains just under 0.6 troy ounces of pure silver — making it the highest-silver-content Canadian circulation coin.

Key dates that collectors seek out include:

• 1935 — First year of issue, Silver Jubilee Voyageur design
• 1936 — Last year of George V, including the rare “dot” variety
• 1945 — Lower mintage wartime issue
• 1947 — Includes the “Maple Leaf” and “Pointed 7” varieties
• 1948 — Extremely low mintage (18,780), highly sought after
• 1955 — The “Arnprior” dollar variety with missing water lines
• 1967 — Centennial year, Alex Colville’s flying goose design

While common-date silver dollars (1960s issues, for example) typically trade at or near silver melt value, scarce dates and varieties can command prices from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Royal Canadian Mint — Official coin specifications and mintage records
• Coins and Canada — Historical composition tables for Canadian circulation coinage
• Numista — World coin catalog with technical specifications

Guide compiled for educational purposes by Canadian Coin Heads from the sources cited above. Silver content data verified against official Royal Canadian Mint records. This is not financial advice.