Collecting Canadian Silver Coins

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by JTF, Aug 28, 2004.

  1. JTF

    JTF New Member

    What canadian silver coins are the best to collect, years, demo etc. I realize that coin collecting is dependent on tastes and personal preference, but what would be good long term canadian silver to collect.Thanks.
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. bromac4

    bromac4 Senior Member

    This is a very difficult question to answer.Let me start with a thought and perhaps we can refine it as other members add their ideas.If your interest is circulating coins I would look at dollars.There are relatively few of them - they were only minted from 1935 to 1967 excluding the war years 1940-44.With a couple of notable exceptions their values are under $275 CDN in AU condition and an average price would be closer to $50.They are also all, except the rare 1966 small beads, pretty easy to find.
    There are of course silver in 5 cent to 50 cent and countless special series.
    Lets see what everyone else has to say. I may have more input later.

    Bill
     
  4. satootoko

    satootoko Retired

    Depends on what you mean by "long term". If you mean "with a reasonable expectation of substantial resale value increase over the years" the answer would be very different than if you mean "with a liklihood of giving me continuing enjoyment from looking at and possessing them over a period of many years".

    Collecting coins is my hobby - investing my assets is the work I do to support my family since retiring from a "real job".

    I don't believe in mixing the two, so I have never spent a solitary cent on coins that I could not have simply thrown away without impacting my standard of living, my long term expectations for my standard of living, or my Beautiful Bride's standard of living if I go first. My kids are doing well, and I'm not worried about the size of their inheritance. Therefore I am free to "buy" any coin that I expect to enjoy having, without considering whether I am "investing" wisely.

    I have friends who consider their coin collection as part of their investment portfolio. They make different choices than I would. I don't consider my way, or theirs, to be "better" in an abstract sense. Mine is "better" for a person of my temperament and means, theirs is "better" for folks of their temperament and means.

    As a very wise person once said, "If everybody liked the same thing, everyone would want my wife."
     
  5. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Whether we like it or not - a lot of collectors pursue this hobby with investment in mind. This is not always wise, in fact it seldom is. But if you are going to do it then do so with a purpose.

    I'll tell you right now it requires an extreme effort in study and research, factors of times more so than any other investment vehicle. Learning to understand the stock market and be reasonably certain of success is much easier. So either collect coins because you like them and it gives you pleasure or invest your money elsewhere.

    But - if you are determined to invest in coins then purchase only the highest grades possible for a given coin. Buy only the key dates for a series an look to rarity and quality as the only things that matter. And above all - be prepared to practice extreme levels of patience and spend a great deal of money.
     
  6. JTF

    JTF New Member

    Canadian Silver Dollars

    I think long term I mean something that I could give to my grand kids that can be continued on. I like the idea of silver dollars, is the 1968 canadian silver dollar with the canoe on the front considered silver, or was 67 the last year. Also is it safe to by these online such as ebay, in other words are canadian silver dollars something that people sell fakes of.
     
  7. bromac4

    bromac4 Senior Member

    1967 was the last year for circulating siver dollars.From 1968 on they are a bit smaller and are made of nickel.There have been silver dollars made in almost every year since 1967 but they are sold as proof coins either in sets or individually.They don't use the voyageur design any more ,the silver dollar in each year has some kind of commemorative design.
     
  8. JTF

    JTF New Member

    Great info. I just had a look on ebay and there are alot of commemorative dollar coins. I think I will stick with the real thing 67 and earlier.
     
  9. joecoin

    joecoin New Member

    I will recommend you collect high grade, authenticated Maritime Provinces silver coinage. This gives you some variety in the collection and is certainly a challenge.
     
  10. JTF

    JTF New Member

    Maritime Provinces silver, hmmmm. Thanks for the help.
     
  11. jody526

    jody526 New Member


    I've not heard of there being a big problem with Canadian dollars being faked, however, eBay is the last venue I would recommend to anyone just getting started. Those waters are full of sharks, and those sharks can be pretty crafty.

    I would strongly advise you to establish a few good relationships with a few honest dealers. It can take time, but you said you were in it long term, right? The benefits of buying from well established dealers are many. Too many to list here.
     
  12. JTF

    JTF New Member

    Good advice Jody, well taken. Thanks.
     
  13. Aidan Work

    Aidan Work New Member

    There were only 2 current Canadian provinces that ever issued silver - New Brunswick & Newfoundland.The silver 5c.,10c.,& 20c. from New Brunswick are extremely difficult to find.Newfoundland's silver coins are becoming increasingly difficult to find.The main factor is due to the very low mintage figures.

    Aidan.
     
  14. Cloudsweeper99

    Cloudsweeper99 Treasure Hunter

    My personal opinion is that if the intent is to leave something of value to the next generation, and you've already decided that coins are the way to go, you should collect whatever will be the easiest to understand and resell. Otherwise, there is a very good chance that your heirs will get ripped-off when they go to resell the collection someday, since they will probably not have the level of expertise required to understand the value of what they own. The plans outlined above sound too complicated to perform the intended function. Something like MS64/65 common date Morgan dollars graded by NGC or PCGS would be examples of things that would be impressive to own but easier to sell for fair value even for a non-expert.
     
  15. karrlot

    karrlot Senior Member

    I have also recently taken an interested in Canadian silver halves and dollars. I will say that the best place I have found to buy these are at a coin show. If you havn't been to one, I would recommend that you find a local one and go. I was surprised that there were a few in my area on a semi regular basis. Maybe you could just call a local dealer and ask about them.

    I like it because there are numerous dealers that have a wide variety of coins you can look up. You can pick the coin up and look at it with your own eyes. There have really been some that I probably wouldn't have bought on ebay, but when I was able to look at the coin, I liked it a lot.

    Of course be mindful of their time, but you can talk with most of them,ask questions, and get advice. Plus, if you take some time at the show, you can get exposed to so many different coins. I would prefer going to a show rather than a local dealer, because you get to see stuff from numerous dealers with out putting your coin collecting budget into your gas tank driving all over town.
     
  16. ccg

    ccg New Member

    Yep, it's always nice to see the coins in question. Buying online is fine, but it can really take out the challenge of finding something to fill in a hole in your collection.
     
  17. De Orc

    De Orc Well-Known Member

    Have to say I do like the Silver proofs and have quite a nice little collection of them :thumb: I am thinking of expanding into the 1/2$ as well. For me it is not so much the value of the coin but it's overall look that counts.

    De Orc :kewl:
     
  18. fiftypee

    fiftypee Member

    Canadian Silver to buy

    Hello folks:

    If you want bullion then go for Canadian Silver 1 oz. Maple Leafs.

    If you want coins, then I agree that silver dollars (pre-1967 circulating ones) are the best option.

    Talk to you all later. :goofer:
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page