Canadian 1, 2 and 5 Dollar Coins

SILVER DOLLARS

All Canadian silver dollar coins struck for circulation between 1935 and 1967 were struck to a standard of 23.33 grams of 80% silver with 20% copper, and are 36 mm diameter and 2.8 mm thick. Each coin contains 0.6 troy ounces actual silver. Most have the standard voyageur design by Emanuel Hahn, 1939, 1949, 1958, 1964 and 1967 have other commemorative designs which will be noted below.

The price of silver has fallen back recently and at the time I am writing this spot silver price is now $28.000 per ounce in Canadian fund. With 0.6 ounces of silver in each of the 800 fine dollars from 1935 to 1967, the coins contain about $16.80 worth of silver. Considering the time and costs involved in listing, processing payments, and shipping, the base price at which I can afford to list even the commonest dates of these 800 fine dollars is now $21.50 plus applicable postage and taxes. This will change as the price of silver changes and I will make adjustments here from time to time after major changes.

I am finding many people just want average examples of dates that we would normally sent out to be melted for these silver and not list on this site. I have decided to list such coins were availabe, where in the grade section I will list them simple as "average" and list them at the minimum price that makes it worth while for me to do so even if it is technically a little more than the coins are actually worth. Think of the difference as my service charge for making them available.

GEORGE V
1911 to 1936

Although patterns were struck for a silver dollar in 1911, none were issued for circulation and the two examples known to still exist cannot be considered "Coin of the Realm", but rather are patterns for a proposed design that was never actually issued.


IMAGE OF 1935 TYPE ONLY

The first true circulating Canadian silver dollar was in 1935 with the voyageur reverse design. The obverse design by Percy Metcalfe shows a special commemorative crowned bust of George V with the inscription "GEORGIVS V REX IMPERATOR ANNO REGNI XXV" which can be translated as "GEORGE 5th, KING AND EMPEROR FOR THE 25th YEAR". (Emperor refers to his title as Emperor of India.)

 1935 25th year of George V ............. MS-63    $67.50
 1935 25th year of George V ........ ICCS MS-64   $110.00

1936 dollars looks much like the 1935, except it uses the slightly modified bust of George V, and the inscription around the bust now reads "GEORGIVS V DEI GRA REX ET IND IMP" (Latin for "GEORGE V BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING AND EMPEROR OF INDIA").


IMAGE OF 1936 TYPE ONLY



 1936 .................................... F-15    $25.00
 1936 ................................... VF-20      SOLD
 1936 ................................... VF-30    $31.50
 1936 ................................... XF-40    $33.00
 1936 ................................... AU-50      SOLD
 1936 ................................... AU-55      SOLD
 1936 ................................... MS-63   $100.00
 1936 ..................... tiny rim bump MS-64   $125.00
 1936 .............................. ICCS MS-64   $195.00




GEORGE VI
1937 to 1952


IMAGE OF 1937 to 1938 and 1945 to 1947 TYPE ONLY

1937 saw George VI come to the throne. The reverse design remains the same but we have the new George VI bust and the inscription is now shortened to "GEORGIVS VI D G REX ET IND IMP" (latin for "GEORGE VI BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING AND EMPEROR OF INDIA".)






 1937 .............................. ICCS VF-30      SOLD
 1937 ................................... XF-40    $32.50
 1937 ................................... AU-50      SOLD




 1938 ................................... XF-45      SOLD
 1938 ................................... AU-50      SOLD
 1938 ................................... MS-60      SOLD
 1938 ................................... MS-62   $150.00
 1938 .............................. PCGS MS-63   $255.00
 1938 .............................. ICCS MS-63   $255.00




In 1939, a special silver dollar was issued with an image of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, with an inscription above the buildings that reads "FIDE SVORVM REGNAT", meaning "He reigns by the faith of his people". This coin actually commemorates the Royal Visit to Canada that year by George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen mother to the current Queen Elizabeth).


IMAGE OF 1939, TYPE ONLY



 1939 ................................. AVERAGE      SOLD
 1939 .............................. ICCS MS-64    $82.50




From 1940 to 1944, due to the second world war, no silver dollars were issued by Canada, but in 1945 they were again struck with the normal voyageur design, although from 1945 to 1948 the mintages were small.




 1945 ................................... XF-40   $240.00
 1945 ................................... XF-45   $265.00
 1945 .............................. PCGS MS-63   $775.00

 1945 DOUBLE 5 .......... heavy rubs ICCS MS-60   $350.00




1946 was the first date of silver dollar for which both regular and Short Water Line varieties have been noted.




 1946 ................................... XF-40      SOLD
 1946 .............................. PCGS MS-62      SOLD
 1946 ................................... MS-62   $165.00
 1946 ................................... MS-63   $375.00

 1946 SWL ............................... XF-45    $95.00




The 1947 dollar comes with two different shaped 7's in the date. The Blunt 7 is has a tail that points down and slightly to the left. The Pointed 7 is slightly longer and the tail has a distinct curve at the end that makes it point down and very slightly to the right. 1947 dollars get even more complicated, because on some dies the HP below the King's head was punched in more than once, and specimens are seen with single, double, triple and even quadrupal HP's. Unless we have indicated a multiple HP, the coins should be assumed to be single HP.




 1947 blunt ........................ ICCS XF-40      SOLD




 1947 point .......... .......... cleaned XF-45      SOLD
 1947 point, double HP ............. ICCS MS-63  $2250.00




In 1947 India received its independence and George VI was no long Emperor of Indian. This meant the obverse had to be redesigned without "IND IMP" in the inscriptions on any 1948 or later issues. The redesign had to be done in England and it had to be done for every country in the British Commonwealth, and it was late in 1948 before the new half dollar dies were ready. During 1948, while waiting for new dies the mint needed to strike coins using the old design, so Canadian coins dated 1947, with "IND IMP", were struck with a small maple leaf behind the date to indicate they were actually minted in 1948.




 1947 maple leaf, double HP ........ PCGS MS-62   $525.00




Late in 1948 dies for the 1948 dates silver dollars with the new obverse inscription arrived but only about 18,600 coins were struck, resulting in the rarest date Canadian silver dollar issued for circulations (only the 1911 pattern is rare). The new dies not only had the new "GEORGE VI DIE GRATIA REX" inscription, but a re-designed portrait with more deeply engraved hair on the King. While most grading guides show the same grading standard for all George VI silver dollars, this is incorrect because of these deeper hair lines. Dollars from between 1948 and 1952 would have to wear to VF before the hair looks a muted as it does on 1937 to 1947 dollars when still uncirculated.


IMAGE OF 1948 and 1950 to 1952 TYPE ONLY



 1948 ................................... VF-20   $1095.00
 1948 ................................... XF-40   $1275.00
 1948 ................................... AU-55      SOLD




In 1949 Newfoundland (up to then a separate country) joined with Canada to become the 10th province. To commemorate this event, silver dollars were issued with an image of the "Matthew", the ship sailed by the explorer John Cabot when he first visited Newfoundland in 1497. These coins tended to be saved so are seldom seen with significant wear on them. They were also handled more carefully for shipping from the mint than other coins in this period, and so have much fewer bag marks than other dollars of this period, and tend to be very nice looking coins in the high grades.


IMAGE OF 1949 TYPE ONLY



 1949 ................................... XF-40      SOLD
 1949 ................................... AU-50      SOLD
 1949 .............................. ICCS MS-65      SOLD
 1949 .............................. ICCS MS-66   $215.00




In 1950 the regular voyageur reverse design was resumed. During the early and mid-1950's, silver dollar dies were at times re-polished in the mint, and parts of the designs were weakened or removed. This resulted in many variations on the number and length of the water lines in front of the canoe.




 1950 regular water lines ............... AU-55      SOLD




 1950 short water line .................. XF-40      SOLD
 1950 short water line .................. AU-50      SOLD
 1950 short water line ............. ICCS MS-62    $47.50




As explained below for the 1955 Arnprior dollars, some 1950 and 1951 dollars exist with only 2 1/2 water lines, and are also known as Arnprior varieties, but in 1951 you also get a short water line variety which is often confused with the much rarer Arnprior variety. The 1951 short water line dollar cannot have any of the water lines touching the front of the canoe. I have been told that all PL 1951 dollars are of the short water line variety, although ICCS does not always mark it on the holders.




 1950 arnprior .......................... AU-55      SOLD




 1951 ................................... AU-50      SOLD
 1951 ................................... AU-55      SOLD




 1951 short water line ............. ICCS MS-62      SOLD




The 1952 silver dollars exists with both long (regular), short, and no water lines in front of the canoe. The short water line variety is listed in the trend sheet, but not the Charlton catalogue. ICCS will now only certify varieties listed in the Charlton catalogue, and so will not certify the short water line variety as to variety.




 1952 regular water line ................ AU-50      SOLD
 1952 regular water line ........... ICCS MS-63      SOLD




 1952 short water lines ................. MS-62    $67.50
 1952 short water lines . minor hairlines MS-63    $67.50
 1952 short water lines ................. MS-63   $110.00
 1952 short water lines ................. MS-64   $850.00




 1952 no water lines .................... XF-40    $24.00
 1952 no water lines .................... AU-50    $26.00
 1952 no water lines .................... AU-55    $29.00





ELIZABETH II
1953-present

Young Head Series


IMAGE OF 1953 to 1957 AND 1959 TO 1963 TYPE ONLY



You may note that there are many dates of the 1953 to 1967 dollars which we often not have available. This does not mean they are rare or scarce but in fact for many of the dates they are so common that at todays high silver prices ordinary ones even in mint condition are often worth more for their silver than any collector value. Thus only for scarcer varieties (as noted below) or for higher than usual quality examples, do we list them here. If you can into our store we often have them available in our scrap silver bin where we sell them for the price of the silver plus GST (we do not sell those by mail).





When the first issue of Elizabeth appeared in 1953, it was quickly noticed that her shoulder appeared to be bare. It was not actually bare as there was a faint shoulder fold present by engraved so shallow that it was normally not visible on most coins. This appearance was considered inappropriate, so new dies were made with the shoulder fold of cloth deeper into the die that it was was obviously present, and at the same time some of the letter forms were changed slightly. This resulted in two varieties of the 1953 silver dollars : NSS (or NSF) - no shoulder strap (serrifed "I") SS (or SF) - shoulder strap (non-serrifed "I")




 1953 SS ............................ICCS MS-62      SOLD




 1954 .............................. ICCS MS-60      SOLD
 1954 ................................... MS-62      SOLD
 1954 .............................. ICCS MS-63    $47.50




The term "Arnprior" was first applied to 1955 silver dollars with only one and a half water lines in front of the canoe, instead of the usual three, with no trace of a third waterline visible even at 10 x's magnification. Some references state that there are 2 1/2 water lines on the Arnprior, but they are confusing the bottom of the island with a water line. The first examples noted were among a group 2000 1955 dollars struck to order for a business in Arnprior Ontario, which handed them out as bonuses to their employees. The mint did not have any 1955 dollars available, so to fill that order set up for a special production run using a deteriorated reverse die that they had to re-polish, which is what removed one and a half of the water lines. That re-polished reverse die was used with two different obverse dies, one of which had a small crack between the "T" and "I" of "GRATIA", and was a fresher die with no die cracks. The Arnprior dollars with the die crack are considered to be more desirable and so command a higher price. It is commonly accepted that all 1955 dollars with that obverse die crack are of the 1 1/2 water line Arnprior variety, but this is not correct. There are non-Arnprior dollars with that die break in the occasional Proof-like set, and today (August 29, 2008) I was shown a partial roll of circulation strike 1955 dollars in which I saw two examples with the die break, but which were not of the Arnprior variety (the die breaks were slightly weak, but clearly visible).




 1955 .............................. ICCS MS-60      SOLD
 1955 .............................. PROOF-LIKE   $120.00




 1955 ARNPRIOR without die break ........ MS-62    $85.00

 1955 ARNPRIOR with die break ...... ICCS MS-62      SOLD
 1955 ARNPRIOR with die break ........... MS-63      SOLD




 1956 ................................... XF-40      SOLD
 1956 ................................... AU-50    $29.50
 1956 ................................... AU-55      SOLD
 1956 .............................. ICCS MS-60    $35.00
 1956 ................................... MS-63    $77.50




Unlike other dates in this series, 1957 dollars do not occur with a strong cameo effect and those rated as cameo will only be a weak cameo effect. Only recently has ICCS began to certify any 1957 dollars as being cameo.




 1957 ................................... AU-50      SOLD
 1957 ................................... MS-62      SOLD
 1957 .............................. ICCS PL-64    $75.00
 1957 .............................. ICCS PL-65      SOLD




In 1958, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of British Colombia becoming a British Territory, silver dollars were issued with an image of a Totem Pole (beaver totem) similar to those for which the Coastal Indians of British Colombia are well known. We are told that to some tribes, this is the "Death Totem", and many Native North Americans refuse to handle these dollars, due to their religious beliefs. This may be an Urban myth.


IMAGE OF 1958, TYPE ONLY



 1958, Totem pole ..................... AVERAGE    $21.50
 1958, Totem pole .................. ICCS MS-63      SOLD




In 1959 the standard Voyageur design resumes.




 1959 ................................... MS-60      SOLD




 1960 .............. areas of toning Proof-like      SOLD




 1961 .............................. Proof-like      SOLD
 1961 .............................. ICCS PL-66    $35.00




 1962 .............................. Proof-like      SOLD




 1963 .............................. Proof-like    $24.00




In 1964 silver dollars were issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference where, in 1864, the negotiations were started that led to Canadian Confederation as a distinct country. Some 1964 dollars are missing the "dot" between T and S of the designers initials, and are known as the "NO DOT" variety.


IMAGE OF 1964, TYPE ONLY



 1964 ...... mottled tone on obverse ICCS MS-64    $80.00
 1964 .............................. Proof-like    $24.00

 1964 missing dot in TS ................. PL-64      SOLD





ELIZABETH II

Mature Head Series




In 1965, it was decided that the portrait of Elizabeth should be brought up to date, with a more mature look, and with the addition of a tiara on her head.


IMAGE OF 1965 to 1966 TYPE ONLY



 1965 type 2 (blunt) ......... cameo Proof-like      SOLD

 1965 type 5 (detached jewel) ........... MS-60    $35.00
 1965 type 5 (detached jewel) ........... MS-62      SOLD




1966 dollars are found with both large and small beads on the obverse. The large bead variety is very common and most examples are worth only the value of the silver they contain, with very high grade examples with somewhat more. The 1966 small bead dollars are extremely rare to the point that in 25 years in the business no one has every brought one into our store, and the only one I have ever owned I bought from another coin dealer at a coin show very recently. When looking for a small bead dollar, the way you tell if from the A in REGINA, where on the rare small bead that A points directly between two beads, while on the common large bead variety it points at the left edge of one of the beads but clearly at the bead (this is more distinctive then most published ways to tell). Another feature is that all 1966 small bead dollars have a Proof-like mirror finish even though none of them come from Proof-like sets. There is debate on what grading term should be applied to them. The finish is Proof-like and some feel they should be graded as PL's. However, none of came from PL sets, so others feel they should be graded as MS coins. I personally feel they should be graded as PL coins, but there is no clear cut answer to this. Since there is only one type, it does not matter if the price guide calls them PL or MS, the same numeric grading applies either way. Unless otherwise noted, the examples listed below are the common large bead variety.




 1966 ........................ cameo Proof-like      SOLD

 1966 small bead ............. ICCS cameo PL-64  $5250.00





IMAGE OF 1967 TYPE ONLY



In 1967, to celebrate Canada's 100th anniversary as a country, all of the standard circulating coins were issued depicting various animals common to Canada, with a flying Canada goose on these silver dollar coins. Please note that the examples of this type we offer here are exceptional examples, either Proof-likes, Specimens or high end MS examples, often with a cameo portrait and/or goose. Normal examples, even in MS-60 to 62, or examples from proof-like or specimens sets with any problems, are very common and only worth the value of the silver they contain so we do not list them here. For most coins if listed as cameo it is only the portrait side where the cameo effect is important. On these 1967 coins many people like the cameo effect on the animals, so for these we will note if the cameo is on the portrait, on the Canada Goose, or both (you seldom get it on both, but they do show up sometimes in the specimen sets).





 1967 Goose ............................. MS-63    $26.50
 1967 Goose ........ purple toned reverse MS-63      SOLD
 1967 Goose ........................ PROOF-LIKE    $24.00
 1967 Goose .................. ICCS cameo PL-66    $77.50
 1967 Goose .......... dark blue toned SPECIMEN    $40.00




The 1967 dollar was the last circulating SILVER dollar. From 1968 until 1986 similar dollar coins continued to be struck for circulation, but of nickel with no silver content. A listing of these issues will be found further below.






SILVER COMMEMORATIVE DOLLARS




From 1968 to 1970 only nickel dollars were struck, but in 1971 the mint realized there was collector demand for actual SILVER dollars and began a series of special commemorative silver dollars never meant for circulation. They are 36 mm diameter just as the earlier circulating silver dollars, so are easy to differentiate from the 32 mm nickel dollars made at the same time. From 1971 to 1991 they were struck from a 500 fine silver alloy (50% silver and 50% copper) with each coin containing 0.375 of an ounce of silver. In 1992 the purity was increase to 925 fine (Sterling or 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper) with 0.75 ounces of silver in each coin. From 2003 and 2006 they were struck pure (99.99%) silver and contained 0.81 ounces of silver. In 2007 they returned to the sterling silver alloys at 0.75 ounces in each coin, and continue with that alloy to the present. From 1971 to 1980 these dollars were struck in only Specimen quality available either as single coins in black imitation leather boxes, or as part of the double dollar black leather box sets. Beginning in 1981 both Brilliantly Uncirculated (BU) and Proof quality (mirror fields with frosted images) were struck, with the BU coins available only as single coins, but the Proofs available either as single coins in the black imitation leather boxes (later dates are in green boxes for both types) or included in the boxed Proof sets. The examples we offer below have been removed from their boxes or proof sets and either card 2x2's or plastic capsules. This allows us to package them for shipment at reasonable rates (our standard shipping rates). If you want one in the original boxes we can usually provide them, but it means the packages will be too thick to go letter mail and will have to be sent by parcel post making the postage cost far higher, and to some countries cannot be sent registered mail. We will ship that way if you wish (please let me know when ordering) but postage will be charged at actual costs.





Please note that the following 1971 to 1991 silver dollars contain 0.375 ounces. At the time I am writing this silver is $18.00 per ounce in Canadian funds so each coin contains $10.50 worth of silver. Considering the time and costs involved in listing, processing payments, and shipping, the base price at which I can afford to list even the commonest dates of these 500 fine dollars is now $15.00 plus applicable postage and taxes. Please note this base price will change as the price of silver changes, and we will periodically update the site to major changes.I have listed prices for all of them below. My supply of these varies considerably and at any given time I may or may not have all the dates available. If interested in these, please e-mail to confirm availability.





From 1971 and 1973 the silver dollars were issued only in the black leatherette boxes and the coins were not encapsulated. A foam rubber insert rested against the coins to hold them in place causing many of them to tone, sometimes in an ugly way and sometimes in a very attractive way. When the toning ugly we scrap them so any listed below as toned will be will be fairly attractively so. The 1973 dollars come both toned from the single cases, and very white from the double dollar sets which remained un-toned. Starting in 1974 the single cased dollars were encapsulated and usually remain un-toned.




 1971, B.C. .......................... SPECIMEN    $16.00
 1971, B.C. ... very attractive toning SPECIMEN    $20.00
 1972, Voyageur ...................... SPECIMEN    $16.00
 1972, Voyageur ................ toned SPECIMEN    $20.00
 1973, RCMP .......................... SPECIMEN    $15.00
 1973, RCMP ... very attractive toning SPECIMEN    $20.00
 1974, Winnipeg ...................... SPECIMEN    $15.00
 1975, Calgary stampede .............. SPECIMEN    $15.00
 1976, Library of Parliament ......... SPECIMEN    $15.00
 1977, Queen's silver Jubilee ........ SPECIMEN    $15.00
 1978, Commonwealth games ............ SPECIMEN    $15.00
 1979, Griffon (ship) ................ SPECIMEN    $16.00
 1980, Polar bear .................... SPECIMEN    $18.00
 1981, Trans-Canada Railway ............. PROOF    $18.00
 1982, Regina (Cow skull) ............... PROOF    $15.00
 1983, World University games ........... PROOF    $15.00
 1984, Toronto Sesquicentennial ......... PROOF    $15.00
 1985, National Parks ................... PROOF    $15.00
 1986, Vancouver train .................. PROOF    $15.00
 1987, John Davis ....................... PROOF    $17.50
 1988, Iron workers ..................... PROOF    $15.00
 1989, Mackenzie ........................ PROOF    $20.00
 1990, Henry Kelsey ..................... PROOF    $20.00
 1991, Frontenac ........................ PROOF    $20.00





Most 1992 and newer silver dollars that are 92.5% silver contain 0.75 ounces of silver, except for 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 which are pure silver and contain 0.81 ounces of silver. At the time I am writing this silver is $33.50 per ounce in Canadian funds so each 92.5% pure coin contains $25.12 worth of silver, and each pure coin contains $27.15 worth of silver. Considering the time and costs to list them, process payments, and then shipping them, the base price at which I can afford to list even the commonest dates of these is $29.50 for a 92.5% silver ones, and $30.00 for pure silver coins, plus applicable postage and taxes. As with the examples above, I have listed prices for most of them, but my supply of these varies considerably and at any given time I may or may not have all the dates available. If interested in these, please e-mail to confirm availability. Please note that base price will change as the price of silver changes, and we will periodically update the site to major changes.




 1992, Kingston to York stage coach ..... PROOF    $29.50
 1993, Stanley Cup Hockey ............... PROOF    $29.50
 1994, RCMP dog team .................... PROOF    $32.50
 1995, Hudson's Bay Company ............. PROOF    $29.50
 1996, John McIntosh Apple .............. PROOF    $32.50
 1997, USSR-Canada hockey, 25 years  .... PROOF    $29.50
 1997, Flying loon, 10th anniversary .... PROOF   $100.00
 1998, RCMP Anniversary ................. PROOF    $29.50
 1999, Juan Perez ....................... PROOF    $29.50
 2000, year of older people ............. PROOF    $35.00
 2000, Voyage of Discovery .............. PROOF    $31.50
 2001, National Ballet of Canada ........ PROOF    $29.50
 2001, 90th Anniversay (1911) ........... PROOF      SOLD
 2002, 50th Anniv. Elizabeth ............ PROOF    $31.50
 2002, 50th Anniv. Elizabeth, gold plated PROOF    $50.00
 2002, Queen Mother ..................... PROOF      SOLD
 2003, Cobalt silver (artic fox) ........ PROOF    $32.50
 2003, Coronation Anniv. double date obv, PROOF      SOLD
 2003, Coronation Anniv. 2003 on reverse, PROOF    $40.00
 2004, French Settlement ................ PROOF    $35.00
 2004, French Settle, PRIVY MARK ... CCCS MS-65      SOLD
 2004, Poppy ............................ PROOF    $55.00
 2005, Flag ............................. PROOF      SOLD
 2005, Flag .......... gold plate on flag PROOF    $60.00
 2006, Victoria cross ................... PROOF      SOLD
 2006, Victoria cross gold plate on cross PROOF      SOLD
 2006, Medal of Bravery ................. PROOF      SOLD
 2006, Medal of Bravery ...... red enamel PROOF      SOLD
 2007, Thayendanega ..................... PROOF      SOLD
 2007, Thayendanega, select. gold plating PROOF    $90.00
 2007, Celebration of the arts .......... PROOF      SOLD
 2008, Quebec City ........... .......... PROOF      SOLD
 2008, Quebec city .. selec. gold plating PROOF      SOLD
 2008, Poppy ............................ PROOF      SOLD
 2009, Flight ........................... PROOF      SOLD
 2009, Flight .... selective gold plating PROOF      SOLD
 2010, Navy ............................. PROOF      SOLD
 2010, Navy ...... selective gold plating PROOF      SOLD
 2011, Parks Canada ....................... UNC    $45.00
 2011, Parks Canada ..................... PROOF    $55.00
 2011, Parks Can.  selective gold plating PROOF      SOLD
 2012, War of 1812 ...................... PROOF      SOLD
 2010, War of 1812 selective gold plating PROOF      SOLD





NICKEL DOLLARS


Voyageur design used from 1968 to 1987.



The following 1968 to 1987 dollar coins are struck in pure nickel and at 32 mm are smaller than the 36 mm actual silver dollars made during this same period. They will also attract to a magnet while the silver ones will not. During this period may dates are the standard voyageur design, but others were special commemorative's. We will note the special commemorative's in their listings, and if such is not noted you can assume it is the voyageur design. From 1968 to 1980 these come as standard circulation strikes (MS, AU, XF, etc) which were issued in rolls through the banks, Proof-like quality strikes issued in the standard official poly-pack Proof-like sets (selected very nice coins), and Specimen strikes which were double struck to give them sharper images and higher lustre and which were issued in both the double dollar black leather box sets, and special specimens sets which in early years were in red leatherette double penny sets, and later years in the hard blue boxed sets. From 1981 to 1986 they still come as standard circulation strikes to issue through the banks, proof-like strikes in the standard poly-pack PL sets, specimen strikes in the blue boxed sets, but in the double dollar black leather box sets they changed to Proof strikes which have mirror like fields and frosted images. A few special commemorative's were also issued in either proof and/or specimen strike in various types of single coin boxes. 1987 is different because there are no circulated strikes, but rather only Proof-like, specimen and Proof strikes in the sets. As with the cased silver dollars, these nickel dollars from sets or issued with boxes will not be shipped without the boxes as it makes the shipping costs too high (and those from sets have to be removed from the sets). We don't have capsules for most of these so they will be in standard card 2x2's.




In 1968 there are six varieties of the nickel dollar. The first three describe the nature of the tip of the island that sticks out in front of the canoe, and the last two describing variations in the water lines in front of the canoe. Please note that we refer to the upper two water lines as the "horizon lines" and the bottom water lines as "water lines" (some references call them all horizon lines) : 1) REGULAR ISLAND 2) SMALL ISLAND 3) NO ISLAND 4) DOUBLED HORIZON LINES. 5) DOUBLED WATER AND DOUBLE HORIZON LINES. 6) EXTRA WATER LINE (above the regular ones, and found only in PL sets).




We have noticed that a significant portion of the 1968 proof-like dollar, both in the single proof-like packaging and in the proof-like sets, have flan defects in the form of parallel horizontal lines that were on the flans prior to striking and which were not obliterated during striking. I will select specimens to offer below that have as few of these marks as possible (hopefully none) but if you are interested in one that has such marks clear and strong, please let me know and I can select for that feature.




 1968 regular island ............... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00

 1968 small island ................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 7.00

 1968 no island ......................... MS-60      SOLD

 1968 double horizon lines #2 ...... ICCS MS-64    $16.50

 1968 extra water line ............. ICCS MS-64    $50.00




 1969 .............................. ICCS MS-64    $20.00
 1969 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
 1969 .............................. ICCS PL-65      SOLD




The 1970 nickel dollar commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Province of Manitoba's entry into Canadian confederation, and shows official Provincial flower of the prairie crocus. The standard Queen's portrait is on the obverse. All examples of this type are made of nickel.


1970 nickel dollar reverse type



 1970 Manitoba commemorative ....... ICCS MS-64    $12.50
 1970 Manitoba commemorative ....... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
 1970 Manitoba commemorative . cameo PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.50




Beginning in 1971, the mint begins striking three different striking qualities of coins, with a fourth added in 1981 : Mint state (abbreviated MS) which are coins struck for issue through the banks and have average lustre and surface qualities. In most cases MS coins have little value unless in the highest range of the MS coins, and those are seldom seen. We don't list most dates in MS because they are not of high enough value to justify the time and trouble to list and/or ship them. Proof-like (abbreviated PL) are standard mint set coins, usually from the pliofilm packaged sets, red double penny sets, and later the blue book set, but in later dates there were a variety of other types of sets they can come from. PL coins coins have a much higher lustre than MS coins, mostly because they are struck from dies in their newest die state. They also have very minimal marks (the average PL is a PL-64) as they did not go through as many of the mint handling processes as MS coins do, but they are not perfect coins and one should not expect them to be absolutely mark free. Specimen (abbreviated SP or SPEC) which were in the black leather double dollar sets from 1971 to 1980, and for later dates in various types sets. Like PL coins they are struck from dies in their freshest die state but differ in being double struck to give them a higher lustre and sharper images, and they do not go through any mint handling processes before going into the sets so are nearly mark free. The rims tend and edges tend to be a little sharper although this is not obvious on a casual inspection. When we list a coin as being a specimen, it is because we personally took it from a specimen set before listing it here. Proof (abbreviated PR) coins are very nice coins found mostly issued in the double dollar black leather boxed proof sets starting in 1981, although some specialty coins did come other ways. The coins are clearly differing from the other striking qualities by being double struck from specially prepared dies so they have mirror fields and frosted images (and ultra cameo effect) and are specially handled so they go into the sets in near perfect condition as possible.




The 1971 nickel dollar commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Province of British Columbia's entry into Canadian confederation, and shows the Provincial crest with the Provinces official flower of the Dog Wood above. The standard Queen's portrait is on the obverse. These nickel examples are only 32 mm, but the same design was also struck in 500 fine silver at 36 mm.


1971 nickel dollar reverse type



 1971 British Columbia commem. ..... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
 1971 British Columbia commem. cameo PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.50




 1972 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00




The 1973 nickel dollar commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Province of Prince Edward Islands entry into Canadian confederation, and shows the provincial legislature building. The standard Queen's portrait is on the obverse, although it uses a slightly modified "small bust" design as one also see's on the 1973 quarters. These were only struck of nickle.


1973 nickel dollar reverse type



 1973 PEI commemorative ............ ICCS MS-64    $12.50
 1973 PEI commemorative ............ ICCS MS-65    $65.00
 1973 PEI commemorative ............ PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00




The 1974 nickel dollar commemorates the 100th anniversary of the city of Winnipeg, showing a large 100 with a typical view of how the city looked in 1874 in the left O and how it looked in 1974 in the right. The standard Queen's portrait is on the obverse. The same type was also struck in silver, but the silver ones are larger.


1974 nickel dollar reverse type



 1974 WINNIPEG COMMEM. ............. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50

Inside the left 0 there is a Red River cart and on nearly all of these the the oxen's yoke has only a single upright shown (as below on the right) but a small number have two uprights and are known as double yoke varieties. There are a number of variations of how the second yoke upright is positioned, but most that we see have it slightly to the left of the first upright (as below on the left) and are known as the "double yoke #2" variety.


1974 nickel dollar, double yoke details on left, single yoke on right.



 1974 WINNIPEG COMM. double yoke #2 ..... AU-50    $45.00
 1974 WINNIPEG COMM. double yoke #2 ..... MS-60    $55.00
 1974 WINNIPEG COMM. double yoke #2 ..... MS-62    $75.00
 1974 WINNIPEG COMM. double yoke #2 ..... MS-63    $85.00
 1974 WINNIPEG COMM. double yoke #2, ICCS MS-64   $120.00

There are many other minor varieties in the 1974 Winnipeg nickel dollars, and you will find a fairly detailed discussion of them with better images than I can provide, on Ken Potters website. When we have them, we will list them below referencing his varieties numbers.




 1974 WINNIPEG object on roof VCR#6/DDR#6 XF-45    $ 8.00
 1974 WINNIPEG object on roof VCR#6/DDR#6 AU-50    $10.00
 1974 WINNIPEG object on roof VCR#6/DDR#6 . UNC    $15.00




From 1975 to 1981 only voyageur design nickel dollars were struck although there were minor changes in the design. In 1977 the denticle border around the voyageurs was replaced with a beaded border but it was only used the one years as the denticle border resumes in 1978. But also starting in 1977 but continuing on until this series ends in 1987, the northern lights behind the voyageurs which had previously been shown via recessed lines is now shown via raised lines.




 1975 .............................. ICCS MS-64    $16.50
 1975 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
 1975 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 3.00




 1976 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
 1976 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 3.00




In 1977 there are three nickel dollar varieties in the length of the water lines in front of the canoe, and if the first jewel at the front of the Queen's crown is attached or detached. Detached jewel with long water lines is the most common type. Type #1 - attached jewel with short water lines Type #2 - detached jewel with long water lines Type #3 - detached jewel with short water lines




 1977 Type 1 SWL attached jewel ......... MS-63      SOLD

 1977 Type 2, long water lines ..... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
 1977 T-2  ICCS numis. BU MS-67 (PROOF-LIKE-67)    $30.00




 1978 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
 1978  ICCS numismatic BU MS-66 (PROOF-LIKE-66)    $12.50
 1978 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 3.00




 1979 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
 1979  ICCS numismatic BU MS-67 (PROOF-LIKE-67)    $30.00
 1979 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 3.00




 1980 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
 1980  ICCS numismatic BU MS-65 (PROOF-LIKE-66)    $16.50
 1980  ICCS numismatic BU MS-67 (PROOF-LIKE-67)    $30.00
 1980 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 3.00




 1981 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
 1981 ................................... PROOF    $ 4.00




In 1982 there were two types of nickel dollar made. The first is standard voyageur design and the second a commemorative for Canada's new constitution. 1982 and 1984 are the only years where both voyageur and commemorative dollars were struck in nickel.




 1982 voyageur ..................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
 1982  ICCS numismatic BU MS-66 (PROOF-LIKE-66)    $12.50
 1982 Voyageur .......................... PROOF    $ 4.00




The second 1982 nickel dollar design commemorates Canada establishment of a Constitution that year. It shows an image of the fathers of confederations from 1867 taken from a famous painting of them. While we have not illustrated the obverse of one of these, it had a modified design with a small Queen's head, and an inscription that reads "CANADA 1982 DOLLAR" above, and "ELIZABETH II" below. These were only struck of nickel and exists in circulation, specimens and proof strikes.


1982 nickel dollar Constitution reverse type

 1982 Constitution ........................ UNC      SOLD
 1982 Constitution ................. ICCS MS-64    $12.50
 1982 Constitution ................... SPECIMEN    $ 5.00




In 1983, only voyageur design nickel dollars were struck.




 1983 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
 1983  ICCS numismatic BU MS-66 (PROOF-LIKE-66)    $12.50
 1983 ................................... PROOF    $ 4.00




In 1984, there were also two types of nickel dollar made. The first the standard voyageur design, and the second type is a commemorative for Jacques Cartier. 1982 and 1984 are the only years where both voyageur and commemorative dollars were struck of nickel.




 1984 voyageur ..................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
 1984, ICCS numismatic BU MS-67 (PROOF-LIKE-67)    $30.00
 1984 voyageur .......................... PROOF    $ 4.00




The second 1984 nickel dollar design commemorates the 450'th anniversary of Jacques Cartier's landing at Gaspe, Quebec. It shows an image of Jacques Cartier standing in front of a cross and two soldiers behind and to the sides. The reverse uses the same obverse as the 1982 Constitution dollar but with the inscriptions "CANADA 1984 DOLLAR" above, and "ELIZABETH II" below. These were only struck of nickel and exist in circulation, Specimens and proof strikes.


1982 nickel dollar Constitution reverse type

 1984 Jacques Cartier ................... PROOF      SOLD




1985 saw a return to the standard Voyageur design, and nickel dollars remained that design until the series ends in 1987.




 1985 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
 1985  ICCS numismatic BU MS-66 (PROOF-LIKE-66)    $12.50
 1985 ................................... PROOF    $ 4.00




 1986 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 3.50
 1986  ICCS numismatic BU MS-67 (PROOF-LIKE-67)    $30.00
 1986 ................................... PROOF    $ 5.00




1987 nickel dollars were struck only for inclusion in the Proof-like, Specimen and Proof sets. None were issued through the banks as the aureated-bronze plated nickel "LOONS" were introduced that year for general circulation.




 1987 voyageur ..................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.00
 1987 voyageur .......................... PROOF    $ 6.00






BRASS "LOON" DOLLARS




In 1987 a new type of $1.00 circulating coin was issue to replace both the older nickel dollars and the paper $1.00 bills. The coins are sometimes refereed to as "brass" dollars but are actually bronze plated over pure nickel cores with a total of 91.5% nickel and 8.5% bronze. The obverse design was the tiara head design by Arnold Machin, while the new swimming loon reverse design was a joint effort of Robert Carmichael and Terrance Smith. As soon as they appeared people started calling them "loonies" which has stuck to this day. Special commemorative designs were used in some years and will be discussed below. In 1987 they were issued 7.0 grams, 26.72 mm diameter and 1.95 grams thick, only slightly heavier and larger than a quarter which would make them easily mistaken for a quarter when pulling from one's pocket feel alone, so they were made 11 sided with a smooth edge to allow blind people to easily differentiate them. All of these that we offer, including those in Proof or Specimen quality, are in standard 2x2 card holders unless otherwise specified. In 1987 Loon dollars were only issued in MS and Proof quality, but even the Proof quality examples came in single coin boxes. Mint sets in 1987, proof, specimen and Proof-like, still contained the Nickel Voyageur dollars and not a Loon dollar.




 1987 ................................... MS-62    $ 2.50
 1987 .............................. ICCS MS-65    $17.50
 1987 ................................... PROOF    $12.00

In 1988 the size of the loon dollars was reduced to 26.50 mm diameter and 1.75 mm thick, while the weight was retained at 7.0 grams. I have not done the measurements to find out how they managed to reduce both the diameter and thickness without reducing the weight, but I assume the designs and rims have to be lower relief making the body thicker. The alloys remained the same as the 1987's, and all of these specifications remain the same for all "loonie" dollars up to the current year.




 1988 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 3.50
 1988 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 4.00
 1988 ................................... PROOF    $ 7.00




 1989 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 3.50
 1989 ................................... PROOF    $ 7.00

A new obverse design by Dora De Pedery-Hunt and Ago Aarand was introduced in 1990 and used until 2003, showing Queen Elizabeth wearing a diamond diadem and necklace. The reverse design remained the same as in 1987.




 1990 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 3.50
 1990 ................................ SPECIMEN      SOLD
 1990 .......................... IMPAIRED PROOF    $ 4.00
 1990 ................................... PROOF    $ 7.00




 1991 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
 1991 ....................... SLIGHT TONE PROOF    $ 6.00
 1991 ................................... PROOF    $ 8.00

In 1992 two different dollar designs were issued at the same time for circulation. The first has the standard swimming loon design used in previous years, except that the date below the loon was change from a single date to a double date of 1867 - 1992 to commemorate Canada's 125 anniversary as a country. The second was the first in a series of special commemorative loon dollars, in this case designed by Rita Swanson and Ago Aarand showing three children seated on the ground in front of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa. The standard loon was struck in Mint state for circulation as well as in Proof-like, Proof and Specimen quality for collector sets. The Parliament design was struck in Mint state for circulation and Proof quality for sets, but not in Proof-like or Specimen quality.




 1992 loon ......................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.00
 1992 loon ........................... SPECIMEN    $ 5.00
 1992 loon .............................. PROOF    $ 7.00




 1992 parliament ........................... MS    $ 2.50
 1992 parliament ........................ PROOF    $10.00

In 1993 only the standard swimming loon design was issued, in all striking qualities,




 1993 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 3.50
 1993 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 4.00
 1993 ................................... PROOF    $ 7.00

1994 saw two different loon dollar designs, both issued for circulation. The first has the standard swimming loon design, found in all striking qualities of MS, PL, Specimen and Proof. The second depicts the national War Memorial in Ottawa, struck only in MS and Proof finishes.




 1994 loon ......................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 3.50
 1994 loon ........................... SPECIMEN    $ 4.00
 1994 loon .............................. PROOF    $ 7.00




 1994 war memorial ......................... MS    $ 2.50
 1994 war memorial ...................... PROOF    $ 8.00

1995 again saw two different designs for circulation. The first has the standard standard swimming loon design issued in all striking finishes. The second commemorates the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and Canada's service as UN peace keepers and depicts the Peacekeeping Monument in ottawa which had been unveiled three years earlier. The peacekeeper design was struck only in MS and Proof finishes.




 1995 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 3.50
 1995 ................................... PROOF    $ 6.50




 1995 peace keeper ......................... MS    $ 2.50
 1995 peace keeper ...................... PROOF    $ 8.00

In 1996 only the standard swimming loon type was issued, and was issued in Mint State for circulation as well as in Proof-like, Specimen and Proof quality for collector sets.




 1996 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 6.00
 1996 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 7.00
 1996 ................................... PROOF    $ 8.00




From 1997 to 2001 no standard loon dollars were struck for circulation so do not exist in standard Mint State, but were issued in Proof-like and Proof collector sets. In 1997 a special flying loon dollar was issued to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the loon dollars, which were included in place of the standard loon dollar in the Proof-like quality red card Canada Day sets, and in specimen quality in the blue box specimen sets. While we do know which set we take these flying loon coins out of, and thus if they are specimen or PL quality, I see no significant difference in the appearance of the coins and really cannot tell them apart after they have been removed from the sets, so we price them the same.




 1997 regular loon ................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 6.50
 1997 regular loon  ICCS numis BU MS-66 (PL-66)    $16.50
 1997 regular loon ...................... PROOF    $ 8.00


IMAGE OF 1997 Flying Loon, TYPE ONLY



 1997 flying loon .................. PROOF-LIKE    $30.00
 1997 flying loon .................... SPECIMEN    $30.00




Starting in 1998 to differentiate the coins struck at Ottawa from those struck at the Winnipeg mint, a small "W" mint mark was placed in front of the Queen's neck on Winnipeg mint coins, but that area is blank on Ottawa mint coins. Loon dollar coins with the "W" mint mark are only seen in 1998, 2000 and 2003.




 1998 W ............................ PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 1998 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 8.00
 1998 ................................... PROOF    $10.00




 1999 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 1999 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 7.50
 1999 ................................... PROOF    $17.50




 2000 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 2000 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 7.00
 2000 ................................... PROOF    $12.50




 2000 W ............................ PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




 2001 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 2001  ICCS numismatic BU MS-65 (PROOF-LIKE-65)    $10.00
 2001 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 6.00
 2001 ................................... PROOF      SOLD




In 2002, to commemorate Queen Elizabeth's 50th anniversary as Queen, nearly all Canadian coins including the $1.00 coins were struck with the date moved to the obverse below the Queen's head, shown as a double date "1952 2002". To commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Loon dollars a special design of a family of loons swimming with the male doing a "loon dance", was issued in the specimen sets. Thus the standard loon design was only issued as MS, PL and Proof and the loon family only in specimen quality.




 2002 standard loon ................ PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 2002 standard loon ..................... PROOF    $10.00

 2002 loon family .................... SPECIMEN      SOLD




2003 a new Queen's portrait design was introduced part way through the year. Early year coins used the same tiara (crowned) head obverse as previous years, which were struck at Ottawa without mint mark in MS, PL, Specimen and Proof. Later in the year a new Queen's portrait by Susanna Blunt and Susan Taylor was adopted using an un-crowned Queen's Portrait which continued to be used on later coins. This new design was in 2003 from Ottawa without a mint mark only in MS for circulation, and from Winnipeg with the "W" mint mark only in Proof-like quality only in mint sets.




 2003 crowned head ................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 2003 crowned head ................... SPECIMEN      SOLD
 2003 crowned head ...................... PROOF    $14.00

 2003 W un-crowned ................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




2004 saw 4 different brass dollar designs, all continuing the un-crowned portrait of the Queen introduced the previous year. Two designs were issued for circulation with the regular loon design struck in MS, PL and Proof, and a special Olympic Flame loon issued in MS (we list them here as BU for Brilliantly uncirculated taken directly from a mint roll) for Circulation but also comes in a special colorized sterling silver Proof striking which is known as the "lucky Loon". A flying Canada Goose design was used on those issued in the Specimen sets so was only issued in Specimen quality. A second specialty design called the "elusive loon" with a loon seated on it's nest was issued in Specimen quality in wood boxes coin and stamp sets issued through the post offices (elusive is a good name for it, as it is difficult to find).




 2004 regular loon ................. ICCS MS-65    $35.00
 2004 regular loon ................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.50
 2004 regular loon ...................... PROOF      SOLD

 2004 Olympic flame loon ................... BU    $ 2.50
 2004 Olympic flame "lucky" loon ..............          
........................ colorized silver PROOF      SOLD




 2004 flying goose ................... SPECIMEN      SOLD

 2004 Elusive loon ................... SPECIMEN      SOLD




2005 has 3 different brass dollar designs. Two designs were issued for circulation with the regular loon design struck in MS, PL and Proof, and a Terry Fox commemorative dollar issued only in MS (we list them here as BU for Brilliantly uncirculated taken directly from a mint roll). A Tufted Puffin reverse was also issued, but in specimens with none issued for circulation. The Terry fox dollars come in two varieties depending on how strong the grass next to his feet shows, although the type known as the "no grass" as actually just weak grass.




 2005 regular loon ................. ICCS MS-65    $21.50
 2005 regular loon.................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.00
 2005 regular loon....................... PROOF    $10.00

 2005 Terry Fox (with grass) ....... sl tone BU    $ 4.00
 2005 Terry Fox (with grass) ............... BU    $ 5.00
 2005 Terry Fox (with grass) ....... ICCS MS-65    $30.00




 2005 Tufted Puffin .................. SPECIMEN      SOLD




2006 has 4 different brass dollar designs, plus two more designs in sterling silver. Two designs were issued for circulation with the regular loon design struck in MS, PL and Proof, and a Olympic commemorative called the Loon Settling issued in MS (we list them here as BU or UNC depending on the amount of lustre). To add some complexity, the standard loon design was issued both with and without a mint logo below the Queen's head (all both MS and PL) and we are finding examples with the logo difficult to fine at this time. The Loon Settling design is also found as a colorized Proof struck in silver. A Snowy Owl reverse was also issued, but in specimens with none for circulation. The 5th and 6th designs struck only in sterling silver in Proof quality are a blue snowflake design, and a type known as the Lullaby Loone showing a teddy bear and moon above the loon.




 2006 loon without logo ............ ICCS MS-65    $17.50
 2006 loon without logo ............ PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.00
 2006 loon without logo ................. PROOF    $10.00

 2006 Olympics Settling loon ....... ICCS MS-65    $17.50
 2006 Settling loon ....................... UNC    $ 2.00
 2006 Settling "lucky" loon ...................          
............. MISHANDLED colorized silver PROOF      SOLD




 2006 Snowy Owl ...................... SPECIMEN      SOLD




 2006 Snow flake ................. silver PROOF      SOLD

 2006 Lullaby loon ............... silver PROOF      SOLD




2007 is a little unusual for this period in that there are only 2 brass dollar designs. The standard Loon design was the only one issued for circulation and was struck in MS, PL and Proof. A Trumpeter Swan reverse was used for those issued in the specimen sets. All brass dollars from 2007 and later have the mint logo below the Queen's head. There are also two more designs struck only in Proof in Sterling silver, which are the Babby Rattle and "ABC" building block design.




 2007 loon ......................... ICCS MS-65    $17.50
 2007 loon ......................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.00
 2007 loon .............................. PROOF    $10.00




 2007 Trumpeter Swan ................. SPECIMEN      SOLD




 2007 baby rattle ................ silver PROOF      SOLD

 2007 ABC bulding block .......... silver PROOF      SOLD




 2008 regular loon ................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 2008 regular loon ...................... PROOF    $10.00

 2008 Olympic loon dance ................... BU    $ 2.50
 2008 Olympic loon dance ........... ICCS MS-65    $17.50
 2008 Olympic loon dance ........... PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




 2008 Common Eider ................... SPECIMEN      SOLD

In 2008 the Royal Canadian issued series of colorized $1.00 coin to commemorate the 2007-2008 hockey season, with one coin for each Canadian team. The coins are multi-ply plated as with the regular $1.00 loone coins, except that the final plating is nickel rather than brass, with the team logo's applied in what appears to be enamels (some with metal flake). They were never issued for circulation, but rather were just sold to collectors as single coins. They are listed with "circulation finish" but in keeping with the continuity of our site, we consider them to be Proof-likes and list them as such, but one could call them "numismatic BU", or Numismatic MS" if one wished. The examples we here are just packaged in standard 2x2 holders.




 2008 logo, Calgary Flames ....... colorized PL      SOLD
 2008 logo, Montreal Canadians ... colorized PL      SOLD
 2008 logo, Ottawa Senators ...... colorized PL      SOLD
 2008 logo, Toronto Maple Leafs .. colorized PL      SOLD
 2008 logo, Vancouver Canucks .... colorized PL      SOLD




 2009 regular loon ................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 2009 regular loon ...................... PROOF    $10.00

 2009 logo, Canadians 100th anniver. ...... UNC      SOLD
 2009 logo, Canadians 100th anniver. ICCS MS-65    $18.00




 2009 Blue Heron ..................... SPECIMEN      SOLD




 2009 Ottawa Senators Jersey ....... PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 2009 Toronto Leafs Jersey ......... PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




 2010 regular loon ................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 2010 regular loon ...................... PROOF      SOLD

 2010 Canadian Navey ....................... BU      SOLD

 2010 Sask. Roughriders .................... BU    $ 2.50

 2010 Vancouver Olympic ............ ICCS MS-65    $18.00

 2010 Vancouver Olympic "lucky" loonie ........          
anticipating the games,  colorized silver PROOF      SOLD




 2011 regular loon ................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD






TWO DOLLAR COINS

In 1994 and 1995 the Royal Canadian mint was experimenting with different shapes, alloys and weights for the proposed $2.00 coins that were eventually issued in 1996. Test tokens were made of various possibilities, with 17 different types now documented. The only type officially made for sale to the public were the 28 mm, 7.30 grams, 1.7 mm thick with interrupted serrations, bi-metallic tokens of the format that was eventually adopted for the $2.00 coins.

 Type TT-200.6, 9.3 gr, 24.6 mm, reeded .......      SOLD





In 1996 Canada discontinued the $2.00, replacing them with bimetallic $2.00 coins, commonly known as a "twoonie". In all years but 1996 the proof strikes are of sterling (92.5%) silver at 8.83 grams with a 24 K thin plating over the center and contain 0.262 ounces of silver. Proof-like, specimens and MS strikes are normally a 99% nickel outer ring with a 92% copper, 6% aluminum, 2% nickel inner plug. In 1996 for the first year Proof strikings exist the forementioned silver alloys at 8.83 grams and nickel-copper alloys at 7.30 grams, plus a mix white and yellow gold alloy at 11.40 grams (with the 22k stamped on the obverse). Most of these coins have the standard bear walking design, but in some years there are other commemorative designs which we will describe where listing them. Any for which a special type is not indicated will be the standard single bear design.




 1996 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 1996 ..................... nickel/bronze PROOF    $ 8.50

 1996 PIEDFORT ................... silver PROOF      SOLD




 1997 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
 1997 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 6.00
 1997 ............................ Silver PROOF    $12.50




From 1998 to 2003 Canadian coins struck at the Winnipeg mint have a small "W" mint mark in front of the Queen's neck. Those without the "W" were struck at the Ottawa mint. If we do not indicate a "W" mint mark, you can assume the coin is an Ottawa mint coin.




 1998 W ............................ PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 1998 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 6.00
 1998 ............................ Silver PROOF    $16.00




1999 is an interesting year for these $2.00 coins. There are two distinct designs, all issued for circulation and for various mint sets with various finishs. The first is the standard single bear design issued in MS, Proof-like, Specimen and Proof. Recently we have noticed that some of these single bear type from mint sets (what we call Proof-like striking) have only a weak frosting on the bear but others have a very strong frosting almost equal to that seen on Proof coin but only on the bear. The second design is the Drum Dancer design commemorating the formation of Canada's third territory called Nunavut.




 1999 single bear standard bear .... PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 1999 single bear frosted bear ..... PROOF-LIKE    $ 6.00
 1999 single bear .................... SPECIMEN    $ 6.00
 1999 single bear ................ SILVER PROOF    $16.00




 1999 Nunavut drum dancer ............ SPECIMEN    $ 6.00




$2.00 coins usually have a small raised line around the brass center on both sides of the coin unless they are silver proof strikings which lack such lines. A few Proof-like 1999 Nunavut $2.00 coins are missing that line on the drum dancer side, probably having been struck with reverse die intended for a proof finish but which was never given the polished and frosted proof finish. These are known as the Nunavut "MULE ERROR" and are only found in Proof-like sets. Unless otherwise noted the ones we offer here are still in the sets and we will ship the entire set intact.




 1999 Nunavut ... MULE ERROR ....... PROOF-LIKE   $265.00




 2000 single bear .................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
 2000 W single bear ................ PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
 2000 single bear .................... SPECIMEN    $ 6.00
 2000 single bear ................ silver PROOF    $16.00

 2000 Three bear "knowledge" ......... SPECIMEN    $ 6.00




 2001 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
 2001 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 6.00
 2001 ............................ silver PROOF    $12.50




 2002 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
 2002 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 6.00
 2002 ............ slight impaired silver PROOF    $11.00
 2002 ............................ silver PROOF    $16.00




 2003 crowned head ................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 2003 crowned head ............... silver PROOF    $16.00




 2003 W ............................ PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




 2004 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
 2004 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 6.00
 2004 ............................ silver PROOF    $18.50




 2005 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
 2005 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 6.00
 2005 ............................ silver PROOF    $18.50




 2006 10th anniversary ............. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 2006 10th anniversary ............... SPECIMEN      SOLD
 2006 10th anniversary ........... silver PROOF      SOLD




 2007 logo ......................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
 2007 logo ........................... SPECIMEN      SOLD
 2007 logo ....................... silver PROOF      SOLD




 2008 logo bear .................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 5.00
 2008 logo bear ...................... SPECIMEN      SOLD
 2008 logo bear .................. silver PROOF      SOLD




 2008 Quebec city commem. .................. BU      SOLD

 2009 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
 2009 ............................ silver PROOF      SOLD




 2010 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




 2011 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD





FIVE DOLLAR GOLD COINS

From 1912 to 1914, Canada struck $5.00 gold coins to the same purity and weight standards as the American $5.00 gold coins of that period. For many years the Government of Canada has been holding thousands of these coins which is why some of them were rare in the market place. Recently the government decided to sell off many of these coins, and destroy many others (refine them to recover the gold). The huge release, combined with lots of advertising, has created an intersting market in them but has also completely alterned supply to demand ratios. This is certainly going to have an effect on the long term price levels of these coins but it is currently not possibly to predict where they will eventually settle out (that might take a few years).


IMAGE OF 1912 to 1914 TYPE ONLY



 1913 ................................... AU-55      SOLD





TEN DOLLAR GOLD COINS

From 1912 to 1914, Canada struck $10.00 gold coins to the same purity and weight standards as the American $10.00 gold coins of that period.


IMAGE OF 1912 to 1914 TYPE ONLY



 1912 .............................. NGC MS-62      SOLD





CANADIAN MINT GOLD SOVEREIGNS

In 1908 to 1911, 1913, 1914, and 1916 to 1919, gold sovereigns were struck at the Royal Canadian mint, with a "C" mint mark on the ground line below the horse's hoof.


Canada Gold Sovereign TYPE ONLY



 1919 C ............................ PCGS MS-63   $850.00