If you're a coin collector or just looking to declutter your change, you might be surprised at how much some Canadian coins are worth. The 1936 Canadian penny, for example, is extremely rare and valuable.
Some coins, like the 1955 Canadian wheat penny, are worth more than their face value due to their age and condition. In fact, a circulated 1955 wheat penny can sell for around $10.
The 1921 Canadian silver dollar is another valuable coin, with mint condition examples selling for thousands of dollars. This is because it was the last year the Canadian government issued a silver dollar coin.
Valuable Coins
Some Canadian coins are worth a pretty penny. The 1996 "Polar Bear" coin, the first $2 coin, is one example.
The condition and rarity of a coin greatly impact its value. A coin in high-grade and mint condition can fetch thousands of dollars.
If you're lucky enough to have a coin with a unique characteristic or limited edition, it might be worth more than face value. The 1996 "No Mistake" error and the 2000 "Nunavut" coin are examples of rare error coins.
Most silver coins contain a significant amount of silver, especially those minted until 1968. If you have an old Canadian dollar, half-dollar, quarter, or dime, it might be worth more than you think.
Some coins are worth thousands of dollars due to their rarity. The 2022 "Black Ring" toonie is one example of a collectible coin that has gained value.
The value of a coin also depends on its silver content. Coins minted before 1919 contain 92.5% silver, while those minted after 1920 contain 80% silver.
If you're interested in selling your silver coins, you can get a fair payout by sorting them by purity.
Rare Canadian Coins
Rare Canadian coins can be extremely valuable due to their rarity and historical significance. The 1911 Canadian Silver Dollar is one of the rarest coins in the world, with only two examples in existence, and one sold for $552,000 USD in 2019.
The 1936 Dot 1 Cent coin is another highly valuable coin, with only three examples in gem condition known to exist, and one sold for $400,000 in 2010. The 1921 50-Cent Piece is also highly sought after, with only 50-100 in circulation, and one sold for $218,500 at auction in 2010.
Here is a list of some of the rarest Canadian coins worth money:
Rare and Valuable Pennies
The 1936 "Dot" penny is one of the rarest and most valuable Canadian pennies, with only three mint state examples known to exist. It sold for over $400,000 at a 2010 coin auction.
The 1923 small 1-cent penny is the rarest date among Canadian coins, with a value that can range from $25 to $3,374 CAD. This is because fewer of these coins were minted than other pennies.
Some other rare and valuable pennies include the 1921 small 1-cent, 1922 small 1-cent, 1924 small 1-cent, and 1926 small 1-cent pennies. These coins can sell for thousands of dollars depending on their condition.
The 1921 small 1-cent penny is worth around $1,694.81 to $50,283.66 CAD, while the 1922 small 1-cent penny is worth around $220 to $3,374 CAD.
Here are some of the rarest and most valuable Canadian pennies:
1911 Dollar
The 1911 Canadian dollar is one of the rarest and most valuable coins in the world. Only three examples were struck, two of which are silver dollars and one is a bronze dollar.
The Canadian Royal Mint only produced these coins for unexplained reasons, leaving us with a mystery. These coins can be found at the Currency Museum in Ottawa, where one of the silver and bronze coins are on display.
The 1911 Canadian silver dollar held the record for the world's most valuable coin, with a sale price of $552,000 USD in 2019. In a previous sale, this coin sold for $1,066,000 USD.
The estimated value of a 1911 Canadian silver dollar is between $500,000 to $1,000,000 USD. This makes it extremely rare and impossible to find in circulation, collector’s rolls, or home banks.
Here are some of the rarest Canadian coins worth money, including the 1911 Canadian silver dollar:
As you can see, the 1911 Canadian silver dollar is one of the most valuable coins in the world, making it a highly sought-after collector's item.
Newfoundland Two Dollar Coin
The Newfoundland Two Dollar Coin is a rare and valuable find for coin collectors. It was minted in 1872, before the province joined Canada, making it a key date coin.
This coin is exceptionally old, which adds to its value. The grade of the coin greatly affects its worth.
In lower circulated grades, these coins can fetch as much as $400. However, finding one in a higher grade, like About Uncirculated, can increase its value to up to $1,200.
Rare Error Coins
Rare error coins can be worth a pretty penny. Some Canadian coins, like the 1992 Rotated Die Error Quarter, may be worth a few hundred dollars due to a minting error.
These errors can make a big difference in a coin's value. The orientation of the obverse and reverse sides of a coin is usually matched, but some commemorative quarters were struck with a reverse die, causing the obverse side picture to be rotated.
These rare error coins are often sought after by collectors. The 1996 "Polar Bear" coin and the 1996 "No Mistake" error coin are two examples of error coins that can be worth more than their face value.
1992 Rotated Die Error
In 1992, the Royal Canadian Mint released new quarters every month featuring different provinces to mark Canada’s 125th birthday. A minting error occurred while producing some of the coins.
The error involved a reverse die, causing the obverse side picture to be rotated on a 90- or 180-degree angle. This mistake resulted in coins that don't have the typical matching orientation of the obverse and reverse sides.
These coins, known as 1992 Rotated Die Error Quarters, are not the most valuable Canadian coins. They may be worth a few hundred dollars.
The 1992 Rotated Die Error Quarters are a great example of how a simple mistake can create a rare and valuable coin.
2012 Farewell Penny
The 2012 Farewell Penny is a unique coin that marks the end of the Canadian penny's circulation. It was housed at the Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada in Ottawa.
Several commemorative 2012 Farewell 1-cent coins were issued by The Royal Canadian mint. These coins were likely a way to commemorate the end of an era.
A 2012 Canadian Pure silver 1-cent farewell Penny was sold on eBay for $1,199.95 CAD.
Rare Items
Rare items can be a treasure trove for collectors and investors alike. The condition and rarity of a coin are key factors in determining its value.
High-grade coins in mint condition can be worth thousands of dollars, while low- and mid-grade coins may only be worth a few hundred. The better condition a coin is in, the more valuable it is.
Researching how many of a particular coin were minted and are still in circulation is crucial in determining its value. This will give you an idea of how rare the coin is.
If you're looking to buy rare Canadian coins online, there are several reputable sites to consider. 2 Clicks Coins has a collector coin classified section where you can find many rare coins, including silver dimes and quarters.
Provident Metals and CoinMart are also great sources for rare coins from around the world, including Canada. These sites offer detailed information and photos of other rare coins, making it easier to make an informed purchase.
Here are some popular online sources for rare Canadian coins:
Gold and Platinum Coins
The Platinum Maple Leaf coin is a rare and valuable find, with prices often fetching over $1,000 at auctions. This coin was produced by the Mint from 1988 to 2002, and again from 2009 onwards.
Some Platinum Maple Leaf coins may be worth more than others due to their metal content. For instance, the 1910 Silver Dollar was struck on .925 fine silver, making it a highly valuable collectible.
Production of the Platinum Maple Leaf coin is limited due to the difficulty of finding and mining platinum, allowing the Mint to produce only a few coins each year.
Precious Metal Content
Some gold and platinum coins are made from higher quality metal, such as the 1910 Silver Dollar, which was struck on .925 fine silver. This can increase their value to collectors.
The metal content of a coin can greatly affect its worth. For example, coins made from more valuable metal, like the 1910 Silver Dollar, are often more valuable to collectors.
In some cases, the metal content of a coin can be a major factor in its overall value.
$1 Million Gold Leaf
The $1 million Gold Maple Leaf is a rare and valuable coin, but it's not just its price tag that makes it stand out. It's one of the six Gold Maple Leaf coins struck by the Royal Canadian Mint.
The coin weighs an astonishing 100 kilograms and measures 50 centimetres in diameter. This makes it a truly massive coin, not just in terms of value but also in terms of size.
One of the private buyers of the coin, Boris Fuchsmann, lent his coin to the Bode Museum in Germany, but unfortunately, it was stolen. Despite several suspects being arrested, the thief's identity and the coin's whereabouts remain unknown.
The obverse design of the coin features a crownless Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse features a modernized maple leaf. This unique design, combined with its massive size and rarity, contributes to the coin's incredible value.
Platinum Maple Leaf
The Platinum Maple Leaf is a highly sought-after coin, and for good reason. It's part of the Mint's flagship program, the Maple Leaf series, which also includes gold and silver coins.
This coin is made from platinum, a metal that's notoriously difficult to find and mine. As a result, the Mint can only produce a limited number of Platinum Maple Leaf coins each year.
The production of Platinum Maple Leaf coins was halted from 2003 to 2008, but it's good to know that the Mint has consistently struck these coins since 1988.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Canadian dollar coin worth anything?
Canadian dollar coins, particularly those from the 1935-1984 series, can be valuable, with some coins worth up to $26,500. If you're a coin collector, it's worth exploring the value of your Canadian dollar coin further.
What is the holy grail of Canadian coins?
The "Holy Grail" of Canadian coins is the 1911 pattern silver dollar, a rare and highly sought-after coin with only two known examples in existence. This elusive coin features King George V and the date "1911", making it a prized find for collectors.
What Canadian quarters are worth the most money?
The 1906 Small Crown Canadian Quarter is considered one of the rarest and most valuable Canadian coins, with high-grade versions selling for over $50,000 at auction. Its value can be substantial, even for lower-grade versions.
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