Silver Canadian coins

I have a number of Canadian coins, some dating back many decades. What Canadian coins (business strikes) were previously minted in silver and at what point did they stop using silver and switch to other metals?

 

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WaA140,the last year for Canadian circulation silver coins is 1968.
The 5c. was struck in silver between 1858 & 1921,but the 1921 is extremely rare.There are a few scarce dates in the King George V nickel 5c. coin series.These include the 2 types of 1926,& the 1925.

Aidan.

 

The dimes changed from sterling (.925) silver to .800 in 1920, and then to cu-ni during 1968.

Quarters went from sterling to .800 in 1920, to .500 in early 1968 and then to nickle later in the year.

Halves also went from sterling to .800 in 1920, and directly to nickle in 1968.

The first dollar coins were .800 silver in 1936 and changed to nickle in 1968.

(There have also been proof and commemorative coins containing silver, and the very first $2 proofs were silver and gold.)

 

Thank you for giving us the finenesses of the Canadian silver coins,Roy.

Aidan.

 

Interesting. I had to go get my coins. I don't have as many as I remembered. I probably gave away most of them to scouts. I believe I kept the oldest ones. I have one quarter dated 1968 and one dime dated 1968. Now I guess I need to determine if they are silver or not. I also have a quarter dated 1936 and a dime dated 1943, so those two are the silver ones. The previous two are questionable until I find a way to know. As far as other coins go, I also have:
- a 1973 quarter that has a Mountie on a horse on the reverse
- a 1945 nickel with a large V on the reverse
- a 1967 penny with a dove on the reverse
- a 1937 penny (in extra-ordinarily good condition, maybe AU but with the usual copper tone)
- a 1951 penny

There you have it, my grand Canadian collection.

 

WaA140,if your 1968 10c. & 25c. have a dull grey-white colour,then they are silver coins,but if you still can't tell,gently drop them on a wooden bench.If they have a loud ring,then they are definitely silver coins.

Aidan.

 

Hmmm... It doesn't appear that I was so lucky. Oh well...

Thanks.

 

1937 1¢ in AU is worth $3.50 CDN.
There is a rare variety of 1973 quarter that is quite valuable.

Bill

 

Don't tease me now ...what should I be looking for on this 1973 quarter?

 

The 1973 quarter in question.

 

Wa: I could be totally wrong but I think the good one has 132 beads going around the rim vs 120 beads for the normal one. Just a guess.
Edited: I counted yours...120 I think.
Edited again: Tbirde posted a link at the below thread. It shows the variety you are looking for.

http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=5901

 

No need to count- just look at it from experience (get used to the obverse used 1965-72) and you can tell the high relief of the large bust from a mile away.

 

arrrggghh...wish I knew that earlier. It was killing me to count those beads LOL!!!!

 

Before I knew as a kid, I've tried counting. Gave up every time.

 

As I recall, the reeding count is different alos. I thin the US mint struck the CU coins? That is what I seem to remember.

 

The easiest way for me to tell is that the denticles are much closer to the rim on the large bust.

Bill

 

Thanks again to all of you. I think I've found my niche. I collect common coins.

 

The 1968 ones and under don't stick to a magnet either.

 

I think it was the 68 dimes. The reeding varied between the Ottawa and Philly mints. I do believe Ottawa was minting the dimes in silver at the time while Philly was minting in nickel.

 

Those are pretty much all worthless. The 37 penny and 45 nickel are the only things worth keeping. The mountie coin was already discussed. The 45 nickel is a "victory nickel" commemorating the victory and war efforts in WWII. The 67 dove is to commemorate 100 years of confederation. Those 37 and 51 pennies have George VI on them, and I find that even mine look like that good condition. They sure don't make coins like they used to.