The Canadian silver coins were based on the US gold market and started in production around 1858. The first Canadian coins made of silver were in the following denominations, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent pieces. Canada continued to use silver coins until 1968 four years after the US stopped minting in silver. In 1911, they ran an experimental batch of silver dollars, which didn’t receive good public reviews, so the Canadian mint didn’t make another silver dollar until 1935.
Here are some of the most notable Canadian silver coins:
- Canadian Silver Maple Leaf: One of the most beautiful and highly collected Canadian coins is the five-dollar silver maple leaf coin. These coins debuted in 1988 and have been a hit ever since. They are made of one troy ounce .999% fine silver. The currently selling price on the market is about 13.50 US. The official silver bullion coin of Canada and one of four metallic options in the series. It is .9999 fine silver and has a face value of $5 CAD. The coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and a maple leaf on the reverse.
- Canadian Wildlife Series: A series of six coins that feature different Canadian wildlife designs, including the wolf, grizzly bear, and cougar. Each coin is .9999 fine silver and has a face value of $5 CAD.
- Birds of Prey Series: A series of four coins that feature different birds of prey designs, including the peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and great horned owl. Each coin is .9999 fine silver and has a face value of $5 CAD.
- RCM Numismatic Silver Coins: A variety of silver coins produced by the Royal Canadian Mint for collectors, including commemorative coins and special edition coins with unique designs.
One of Canada’s rarest silver coins is the limited edition 1911 silver dollar because these coins where experimental very few where minted and a good percentage of them where melted when silver prices soared, so only a few of these have survived and are said to be worth a million in Canadian dollars. One other sought after Canadian coin is the 1921Geroge V 50 cents. One recently sold at auction for 74,750.00 US on Jan 3 2009.
In 2007 the Canadian mint introduce the largest coin ever minted, the million-dollar coin. This coin weights 3215 troy oz or 100 kg or 220.46 lbs and is made of .99999% pure gold it is said to be the size of a large pizza. Only one was supposed to be made however due to its uniqueness several buyers have made offers to own one of these coins, to date 5 are known to exist. This coin has also been entered into the Guinness world book of records certified as the world’s largest coin ever minted!
Canadian silver dollars are still very popular in today’s coin prices market.
What are the most popular Canadian silver coins? The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf is one of the most popular Canadian silver coins due to its high purity and legal tender status. It is 99.99% pure, the highest purity one-ounce silver bullion coin produced by a government mint, and is legal tender with a face value of 5 Canadian dollars. The Canadian Wildlife Series and Birds of Prey Series are also popular among collectors for their unique designs. The Canadian Wildlife Series silver coins feature different Canadian wildlife designs, including the wolf, grizzly bear, and cougar, while the Birds of Prey Series features different birds of prey designs, including the peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and great horned owl. Other popular Canadian silver coins include the Silver Canadian Wildlife Series, Silver Birds of Prey Series, and pre-1968 Canadian silver coins.
What is the weight and purity of Canadian silver coins?
| Coin Name | Weight | Purity |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Silver Maple Leaf | 1 oz | .9999 |
| Canadian Wildlife Series | 1 oz | .9999 |
| Birds of Prey Series | 1 oz | .9999 |
| Pre-1968 Canadian Silver Coins | Varies | .800 |
| Canadian Silver Dollar | Varies | .800 |
| Elizabeth II 80% Silver Dollar (1953-1967) | Varies | .800 |
The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf, Canadian Wildlife Series, and Birds of Prey Series coins are all one ounce and .9999 pure silver. Pre-1968 Canadian silver coins and Canadian silver dollars are .800 pure silver, while Elizabeth II 80% Silver Dollar (1953-1967) is also .800 pure silver. It’s important to note that the weight and purity of Canadian silver coins can vary depending on the specific coin and year of production.
How can I buy Canadian silver coins? : There are several online options available if you’re looking to buy Canadian silver coins. JM Bullion offers a variety of Canadian silver coins, including Silver Maples and Wildlife Series coins, and provides customer service to help you locate in-stock items and answer any questions you might have. SD Bullion offers Canadian Silver Maple coins at the lowest price guaranteed, and the coins are .9999 pure and come direct from unopened Royal Canadian Mint coin tubes. Bullion Exchanges carries Canadian silver coins from the Royal Canadian Mint, including the Silver Maple Leaf and commemorative coins. APMEX offers a great selection of Royal Canadian Mint silver coins and bars, including the Silver Maple Leaf and commemorative coins. Finally, GovMint offers a variety of rare Canadian silver coins from a reputable seller. Prices are competitive, and the coins are shipped quickly and securely.
What is the value of Canadian silver coins? The value of Canadian silver coins can vary depending on factors such as the coin’s condition, rarity, and silver content. The Canadian silver coin values are based only on the actual silver content of the coins (intrinsic value), and not by any numismatic (collector) or base metal. Generally speaking, most circulated Canadian and American silver coins are worth their material silver value, but there are certain exceptions. For example, the intrinsic coin value based on current silver price for an Elizabeth II 80% Silver Dollar (1953-1967) is $14.113, while the melt value of a dime is $1.4153. The value ranges from $20.40 to $325 for a George V 1935-1936 $1 MS [Type], and from $16.51 to $101.00 for an Elizabeth II $1 MS 1953-1986 [T