What Is Melt Value — and What's It Worth Today?
Melt value is the floor price for any silver coin — the minimum it's worth based purely on metal content. Understanding it helps you avoid being underpaid. Most Canadian silver coins are worth more.
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How Melt Value Is Calculated
Every silver coin has a fixed silver content — measured in troy ounces — determined by its weight and purity. Multiply that silver content by the current spot price of silver in Canadian dollars, and you have the melt value.
Silver spot prices update every trading day. The values in the table below are based on silver content only — multiply by today's spot price for a current figure.
Silver content of pre-1968 Canadian coins
| Coin | Purity | Silver (troy oz) | Melt Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10¢ Dime (1920–1967) | 80% | 0.0600 | |
| 25¢ Quarter (1920–1967) | 80% | 0.1500 | |
| 50¢ Half Dollar (1920–1967) | 80% | 0.2999 | |
| $1 Silver Dollar (1935–1967) | 80% | 0.6002 | |
| 50¢ Half Dollar (1870–1919) | 92.5% | 0.3500 | |
| 25¢ Quarter (1870–1919) | 92.5% | 0.1730 | |
| 10¢ Dime (1858–1919) | 92.5% | 0.0690 | |
| 5¢ (1858–1921) | 92.5% | 0.0350 | |
| NF 50¢ (1870–1919) | 92.5% | 0.3500 |
Melt value = silver content × current spot price, and updates live with the feed above.
Note on pre-1920 and Newfoundland coins: Canada switched from 92.5% sterling silver to 80% silver in 1920. All coins struck before that change — and all Newfoundland silver coins regardless of date — were made in sterling silver, so they contain more silver per coin than the equivalent 1920–1967 issue. The five rows above reflect those higher silver contents. See the full silver melt value reference for a complete breakdown by denomination and era.
How Our Offers Relate to Melt Value
Offers on small submissions — a handful of coins — typically start around 45–50% of melt value. On larger lots they rise toward 65% or more, because the fixed costs of shipping and appraisal become a smaller share of the total. The more silver you send in one submission, the closer your offer gets to full melt value — a $18 prepaid shipping cost matters a lot less on a $2,000 lot than on a $50 one. That margin covers three real costs: prepaid Canada Post shipping on accepted offers of $500 or more, the time Richard spends appraising each submission, and a fair business margin that keeps the service running.
For coins with significant collector value above melt — key dates, low-mintage issues, high-grade examples — our offers reflect that numismatic premium, not just the metal. A common-date 1960 quarter might be worth $3–$4 (near melt). A 1921 50-cent piece in the same condition could be worth $1,000–$5,000.
Every written estimate lists individual coin values so you can see exactly what we're paying for each piece. You're welcome to compare with other buyers before deciding.
Selling for melt only is almost always the wrong choice. Even common-date silver coins typically sell for 2–4× melt due to collector demand. Submit photos before accepting any melt-only offer.
Why Some Coins Are Worth More Than Melt
Melt value treats every coin as identical — a 1960 quarter and a 1921 quarter both contain 0.1500 troy oz of silver. But to a collector, they are not the same coin. The 1921 quarter had a mintage of just 597,337 and most were heavily circulated. A well-preserved example is worth many times its silver content.
Low-mintage years where few coins were struck and even fewer survived. The 1948 silver dollar, 1921 50-cent piece, and 1936 dot cent are examples where collector value dwarfs melt value.
A coin in mint-state condition commands a significant premium over a worn example of the same date. Grade is often the difference between melt value and 10× melt value.
Some years have multiple varieties — blunt 7 vs. pointed 7, near bead vs. far bead — that carry different collector premiums. These require identification to price correctly.
The 1967 Centennial series (goose dollar, mackerel dime, bobcat quarter) and the 1939 Royal Visit dollar are popular with type collectors and consistently sell above melt.
Send photos. I'll offer melt value on the common ones — but you could receive much more.
Not every coin is worth just its silver content. When you send photos, I check each coin individually — common, circulated pieces get priced at melt value, but key dates, scarce varieties, and higher-grade coins can be worth several times that. You get a written estimate itemized coin by coin, so you can see exactly why each one is priced the way it is. Usually back to you in 24–48 hours, no obligation.
Get My Free EstimateTo identify whether your coins are key dates or common dates, see the Canadian dime value guide or the Canadian silver dollar value guide. If you're not sure what you have, upload photos — Richard will identify them as part of the free estimate.
How to Sell to Us
Use your smartphone in good natural light. Photograph both sides of each coin. Albums and folders can be photographed as-is — no need to remove individual coins.
Submit your photos through the form on this site. Richard reviews them and sends a written purchase estimate — listing what we would pay for each coin — within 24–48 hours. No obligation.
If you accept the offer and it is $500 or more, Richard sends a prepaid Canada Post Xpresspost label at no cost to you. For offers under $500, you cover shipping — clear packing and drop-off instructions are provided.
Once your coins arrive and are verified, payment is sent by Interac e-Transfer — typically the same day or next business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is melt value?
Melt value is the intrinsic metal value of a coin — what it would be worth if melted down for its silver or gold content. It is calculated from the coin's weight, purity, and the current spot price of the metal. Melt value is the absolute floor: no legitimate buyer should offer less.
How is melt value calculated?
Melt value = silver content in troy ounces × current silver spot price in CAD. For example, a pre-1968 Canadian quarter contains 0.1500 troy oz of silver. At $40 CAD/oz spot, its melt value is $6.00. Silver spot prices change daily, so melt values fluctuate accordingly.
Do you pay full melt value?
Offers on small submissions typically start around 45–50% of melt value and rise toward 65%+ on larger lots, because fixed shipping and appraisal costs are a smaller share of a bigger submission. The more silver you send in one submission, the closer your offer gets to full melt value — a $18 prepaid shipping cost matters a lot less on a $2,000 lot than on a $50 one. For coins with significant collector value above melt, our offers reflect that numismatic premium — not just the metal.
What if my coin is worth more than melt?
Many Canadian silver coins — especially key dates, low-mintage issues, and well-preserved examples — are worth several times their melt value to collectors. We assess every coin for numismatic value, not just metal content. If your coin is a key date or in exceptional condition, our offer will reflect that.
Get a Free Written Offer for Your Silver Coins
Upload photos and receive a written purchase estimate within 24–48 hours. We pay collector value — not just melt — for Canadian silver coins.
Upload Photos for a Free EstimateCanada-wide · No obligation to sell · Interac e-Transfer payment
This guide explains how melt value is calculated for Canadian silver coins, how our offers relate to melt value, and why most Canadian silver coins are worth more than their metal content alone. Upload photos for a free written estimate.
How Coin Values Are Determined
Four key factors influence what a coin is worth. Understanding these helps you know what to look for.
Rarity
Coins with low mintage numbers or surviving in small quantities are worth more. A coin minted in the millions is common; one minted in the thousands can be scarce.
Condition
Collectors grade coins from Poor (heavily worn) to Mint State (uncirculated). A coin in excellent condition can be worth many times more than the same coin in worn condition.
Silver or Gold Content
Many older Canadian coins contain 80% silver. Even a common silver coin has a base value tied to the current silver price, regardless of collector demand.
Collector Demand
Some coins are actively sought by collectors, which drives prices higher. Key dates, varieties, and coins from popular series attract more buyers.