(updated
Valuating the silver in Canadian coins...
The information here can be used to determine the value of the silver content in circulated Canadian coins you may have.
Note: all coins have a numismatic value, and the numismatic value is disregarded in these valuations.
Silver content in Canadian coins varies. Each coin size has a specific weight, and a specific amount of silver content.
Determining the amount of silver in a given coin depends on the denomination and the year of issue.
Coins made of nickel and steel are magnetic, coins made of silver and copper are not.
Circulated (worn or handled) coins do not always have the original content of uncirculated coins.
Please be sure to read the disclaimer at the bottom of this webpage. *
Troy ounces... (Wikipedia link)
The conversion factor for troy ounces is needed to convert the statistical weight (mass) of coins to the measure most commonly used in the buying and selling of precous metals.
"The troy ounce (ozt) is a unit of imperial measure. In the present day it is most commonly used to gauge the value of precious metals. One troy ounce is equivalent to 31.1034768 grams."
Divide the weight in grams by 31.1034768 to get the equivalent in troy ounces.
Use Windows' built-in calculator to assist with the arithmetic...
(typically found on a PC in this location - c:\windows\system32\calc.exe)
Click on Start > (All) Programs > Accessories > Calculator.
5¢ coin (nickel)... (Wikipedia link)
This table contains the factors used to valuate Canadian 5¢ coins for their silver content, not their numismatic value.
Nickels from 1942-43 to 1962 were 12-sided, the others are round.
Nickels from 1858 to 1921 were 14.494 mm in diameter. Nickels from 1922 forward were 21.21 mm.
|
Description
|
Total Mass
|
Composition
|
Silver Content (grams)
|
Silver Content (troy ounces)
|
Quantity
|
Troy Ounces
|
| 1858 to 1919 |
1.167g
|
92.5% silver (7.5% copper)
|
1.079g
|
.03469 ozt
|
________
|
_______ ozt
|
| 1920 to 1921 |
1.167g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
0.934g
|
.03002 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1922 to 1942 |
4.54g
|
99.9% nickel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
| 1942 to 1943 |
4.54g
|
88% copper, 12% zinc ("tombac")
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
| 1944 to 1945 |
4.54g
|
chrome-plated steel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
| 1946 to 1951 |
4.54g
|
99.9% nickel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
| 1951 to 1954 |
4.54g
|
chrome-plated steel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
| 1955 to 1962 |
4.54g
|
99.9% nickel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
| 1963 to 1981 |
4.54g
|
99.9% nickel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
| 1982 to 1999 |
4.60g
|
75% copper, 25% nickel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
| 2000 to 2011 |
3.95g
|
94.5% steel, 3.5% copper, nickel-plated
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________
|
0.00000 ozt
|
Here is an example to help you follow the arithmetic...
|
Date
|
5¢ coin
|
Troy Ounces
|
Value of silver in $US
|
Value of one such coin
|
Exchange Rate
|
Value in $CDN
|
|
2011-04-20
|
1920
|
.03002 ozt
|
$45.00
|
$45.00 x .03002 = $1.3509 USD
|
1.0496
|
$1.42 CDN
|
10¢ coin (dime)... (Wikipedia link)
This table contains the factors used to valuate Canadian 10¢ coins for their silver content, not their numismatic value.
|
Description
|
Total Mass
|
Composition
|
Silver Content (grams)
|
Silver Content (troy ounces)
|
Quantity
|
Troy Ounces
|
| 1858 to 1910 |
2.32g
|
92.5% silver (7.5% copper)
|
2.146g
|
.06899 ozt
|
________
|
_______ ozt
|
| 1910 to 1919 |
2.33g
|
92.5% silver (7.5% copper)
|
2.155g
|
.06930 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1920 to 1966 |
2.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
1.864g
|
.05992 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1967 |
2.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
1.864g
|
.05992 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1967 |
2.33g
|
50% silver (50% copper)
|
1.165g
|
.03745 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1968 |
2.33g
|
50% silver (50% copper)
|
1.165g
|
.03745 ozt
|
________
|
_______ ozt
|
| 1968 |
2.07g
|
99.9% nickel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________
|
0.00000 ozt
|
| 1969 to 1999 |
2.07g
|
99.9% nickel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________
|
0.00000 ozt
|
| 2000 to 2011 |
1.75g
|
92% steel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________
|
0.00000 ozt
|
Here is an example to help you follow the arithmetic...
|
Date
|
10¢ coin
|
Troy Ounces
|
Value of silver in $US
|
Value of one such coin
|
Exchange Rate
|
Value in $CDN
|
|
2011-04-20
|
1966
|
.05992 ozt
|
$45.00
|
$45.00 x .05992 = $2.69 USD
|
1.0496
|
$2.82 CDN
|
|
Summary
|
Troy Ounces
|
|
Canadian 10¢ coins
|
___________ ozt
|
25¢ coin (quarter)... (Wikipedia link)
This table contains the factors used to valuate Canadian 25¢ coins for their silver content, not their numismatic value.
|
Description
|
Total Mass
|
Composition
|
Silver Content (grams)
|
Silver Content (troy ounces)
|
Quantity
|
Troy Ounces
|
| 1908 to 1910 |
5.81g
|
92.5% silver (7.5% copper)
|
5.374g
|
.17277 ozt
|
________
|
________ozt
|
| 1910 to 1919 |
5.83g
|
92.5% silver (7.5% copper)
|
5.392g
|
.17335 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1920 to 1966 |
5.83g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
4.664g
|
.14995 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1967 |
5.83g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
4.664g
|
.14995 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1967 |
5.05g
|
50% silver (50% copper)
|
2.525g
|
.08118 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1968 |
5.05g
|
50% silver (50% copper)
|
2.525g
|
.08118 ozt
|
________
|
_______ ozt
|
| 1968 |
5.05g
|
99.9% nickel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________
|
0.00000 ozt
|
| 1969 to 1999 |
5.05g
|
99.9% nickel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________
|
0.00000 ozt
|
| 2000 to 2011 |
4.40g
|
94% steel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________
|
0.00000 ozt
|
Here is an example to help you follow the arithmetic...
|
Date
|
25¢ coin
|
Troy Ounces
|
Value of silver in $US
|
Value of one such coin
|
Exchange Rate
|
Value in $CDN
|
|
2011-04-20
|
1966
|
.05992 ozt
|
$45.00
|
$45.00 x .14995 = $6.74775 USD
|
1.0496
|
$7.08 CDN
|
|
Summary
|
Troy Ounces
|
|
Canadian 25¢ coins
|
___________ ozt
|
50¢ coin (half dollar)... (Wikipedia link)
This table contains the factors used to valuate Canadian 50¢ coins for their silver content, not their numismatic value.
|
Description
|
Total Mass
|
Composition
|
Silver Content (grams)
|
Silver Content (troy ounces)
|
Quantity
|
Troy Ounces
|
| 1870 to 1919 |
11.62g
|
92.5 silver (7.5% copper)
|
10.748g
|
.34555 ozt
|
________
|
_______ ozt
|
| 1920 to 1936 |
11.62g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
9.296g
|
.29887 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1937 to 1967 |
11.66g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
9.328g
|
.29990 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1968 to 2000 |
8.1g
|
99.9% nickel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
| 2000 to 2011 |
6.9g
|
93.25% steel
|
0.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
Here is an example to help you follow the arithmetic...
|
Date
|
50¢ coin
|
Troy Ounces
|
Value of silver in $US
|
Value of one such coin
|
Exchange Rate
|
Value in $CDN
|
|
2011-04-20
|
1966
|
.29990 ozt
|
$45.00
|
$45.00 x .29990 = $13.4955 USD
|
1.0496
|
$14.16 CDN
|
|
Summary
|
Troy Ounces
|
|
Canadian 50¢ coins
|
___________ ozt
|
$1 coin ("silver" dollar)... (Wikipedia link)
This table contains the factors used to valuate Canadian $1 coins for their silver content, not their numismatic value.
|
Description
|
Total Mass
|
Composition
|
Silver Content (grams)
|
Silver Content (troy ounces)
|
Quantity
|
Troy Ounces
|
| 1935 to 1939 (voyageur) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________
|
_______ ozt
|
| 1939 (royal visit) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1945 to 1947 (voyageur) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1947 (voyageur with maple leaf) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1948 (voyageur) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1949 (Newfoundland) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1950 to 1957 (voyageur) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1958 (Britsh Columbia) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1959 to 1963 (voyageur) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1964 (Confederation meetings) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1965 to 1966 (voyageur) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
| 1967 (Canadian Centennial) |
23.33g
|
80% silver (20% copper)
|
18.664g
|
.60061 ozt
|
________ |
_______ ozt
|
|
1968 to 1986 |
15.62g
|
99.9% nickel
|
00.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
| 1987 - introduction of "loonie" |
7.00g
|
91.5% nickel, and bronze
|
00.000g
|
.00000 ozt
|
________ |
0.00000 ozt
|
Here is an example to help you follow the arithmetic...
|
Date
|
$1 coin
|
Troy Ounces
|
Value of silver in $US
|
Value of one such coin
|
Exchange Rate
|
Value in $CDN
|
|
2011-04-20
|
1966
|
.60061 ozt
|
$45.00
|
$45.00 x .60061 = $27.02745 USD
|
1.0496
|
$28.37 CDN
|
|
Summary
|
Troy Ounces
|
|
Canadian $1 coins
|
___________ ozt
|
Summary...
Summarize a collection here, to get the total number of troy ounces of silver.
|
Description
|
Troy Ounces
|
|
Canadian 10¢ coins
|
___________ ozt
|
|
Canadian 25¢ coins
|
___________ ozt
|
|
Canadian 50¢ coins
|
___________ ozt
|
|
Canadian $1 coins
|
___________ ozt
|
|
Item: ______________________
|
___________ ozt
|
|
Item: ______________________
|
___________ ozt
|
|
Total, in troy ounces
|
___________ ozt
|
The bid/ask price for silver can be found here...
Bid price of $45.23 on April, 20, 2011 at 5:15 PM EDT.
The prices shown at the Kitco site are in American dollars.
|
Troy Ounces
|
Current Bid Price (per troy ounce)
|
Value, in American Dollars
|
|
___________ ozt
|
$ _______.__
|
$ _______.__
|
Convert to Canadian dollars, based on rates that can be found here...
The exchange rate was $1.0496 on April 20, 2011.
|
Value, in American Dollars
|
Value, in Canadian Dollars
|
|
$ _______.__
|
$ _______.__
|
Regarding a wholesalers' offer to purchase...
In April, 2011, an "estate buyer" article in the Toronto area advertised prices for the buying of Canadian silver dollars.
1935 to 1938, $16.00 to $25.00 and up...
1945 to 1949, $16.00 to $150.00 and up...
1948, $800.00 and up...
Common dates, 1967 and prior, $16.00 and up...
U.S. dollars from 1794 to 1935, $20.00 and up...
From this, you can see how a dealer is offering about 60% of the bullion value, allowing for a profit upon resale.
Only the coins from 1945 to 1949 seem to have any numismatic value, and by the range, I would say that the coins demanding more are rarities of some kind.
10¢ Canadian coins, 1858 to 1966, $1.60 and up...
25¢ Canadian coins, 1870 to 1967, $4.00 and up...
50¢ Canadian coins, 1870 to 1967, $8.00 and up...
These also are receiving offers of around 60%.
I expect that pawn shops would offer about the same amount, though I have not confirmed this.
* - disclaimer...
Use this information at your own risk and discretion.
I am not a coin expert, and I found many conflicting bits of information on the Internet. I have distilled what I have found down to the statements made above.
Some coins have increased numismatic value due to collectors' interests. You cannot solely value a coin based on its composition, but such a value can be used to set a bottom line.
Please do your own research and confirm the statistical information here prior to setting your final valuation on your own collection.
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