Sell Canadian Silver Dollars: Free Photo Estimate, Canada-Wide
Upload photos of your Canadian silver dollars and receive a free written estimate from Richard LeBlanc — an Ottawa-based Canadian coin buyer. Common dates, key dates, Centennial dollars, and full inherited collections all considered. No mailing required until you accept an offer.
Written response within 24–48 hours · No obligation to sell · Available across Canada
Part of the Sell Canadian Silver Coins guide — covering all silver denominations: dimes, quarters, 50-cent pieces, and dollars.
Are Your Canadian Silver Dollars Worth Selling?
Canadian silver dollars struck between 1935 and 1967 contain 80% silver and weigh 23.33 grams — giving each coin approximately 0.6 troy ounces of pure silver. At current silver prices, that means every one of these dollars has a meaningful melt value before any collector premium is considered.
For common dates in circulated condition, the silver content is typically the primary driver of value. But for key dates — particularly the 1948 dollar — and for coins in exceptional condition, collector demand can push values well above melt. A well-preserved 1948 dollar, for example, is worth many times its silver content regardless of the silver price.
If you have a collection of silver dollars — whether inherited, accumulated over years, or found in an estate — it is worth having them assessed before selling. The difference between a common date and a key date can be significant, and condition matters more than most sellers realize.
Canadian Silver Dollar Key Dates and Notable Issues
The following dates are among the most commonly asked about. If you have any of these in your collection, they are worth examining carefully before selling.
| Year | Notes |
|---|---|
| 1935 | First Canadian silver dollar. Voyageur reverse. Collector demand is strong for high-grade examples. |
| 1936 | Low mintage relative to later dates. Well-struck examples in high grades command solid premiums. |
| 1937 | First year of the new Voyageur design under George VI. Popular with type collectors. |
| 1938 | Low mintage year. Scarcer than most pre-war dollars in circulated grades. |
| 1939 | Royal Visit commemorative. Features the Parliament Buildings. Popular and widely collected. |
| 1945 | Low mintage wartime issue. Scarcer than it appears — many were heavily circulated. |
| 1947 | Blunt 7 and Pointed 7 varieties. The Pointed 7 is considerably scarcer. |
| 1948 | The key date of the series. Values range from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on grade. Always worth identifying carefully. |
| 1950 | Arnprior variety (with die lines through the water) commands a significant premium. |
| 1952 | No Water Lines variety is a major rarity. Worth examining closely. |
| 1958 | British Columbia Centennial commemorative. Totem pole reverse. Widely collected. |
| 1964 | Charlottetown commemorative. Last year before the Confederation series. |
| 1967 | Centennial dollar with the Canada goose reverse. Common but popular — the 1967 dollar is often the first coin people recognize in an inherited collection. |
Not sure which year your dollar is? Upload a photo — Richard will identify it for you.
What Affects the Value of a Canadian Silver Dollar
The date is the single most important factor for collector value. The 1948 dollar is the key date of the series and commands a substantial premium in any grade. Other low-mintage dates like 1938 and 1945 are also worth more than common issues.
Condition matters enormously, especially for key dates. A heavily worn 1948 dollar and a lightly circulated one can differ in value by thousands of dollars. For common dates, the difference between circulated and uncirculated is smaller but still meaningful.
Every 1935–1967 Canadian silver dollar contains approximately 0.6 troy oz of pure silver. This sets a floor value that fluctuates with the silver spot price. Even the most common dates are worth at least their silver content.
Some dates have significant varieties — the 1950 Arnprior, the 1952 No Water Lines, and the 1947 Pointed 7 are examples where a variety can be worth several times the value of a common example of the same date.
Coins that have been cleaned, polished, or improperly stored are worth less than original-surface examples. Bright, original luster on an uncirculated coin adds significant value. Cleaning is one of the most common reasons a coin grades lower than expected.
Some dates and types attract strong collector demand beyond their rarity. The 1939 Royal Visit dollar and the 1967 Centennial dollar are popular with type collectors and the general public, which supports their values even in circulated grades.
Selling an Inherited Silver Dollar Collection
Many Canadian silver dollar collections come to market through estates and inheritances. If you have inherited a collection — whether it is a few loose coins in an envelope, a full album of dollars from 1935 to 1967, or a mix of silver dollars alongside other coins — the process is straightforward.
You do not need to know anything about coins to get started. Upload clear photos of each coin (both sides) or each page of the album, and Richard will identify every coin, assess its condition, and provide a written offer for the full collection. There is no charge for the assessment and no obligation to sell.
For large collections, Richard can also arrange a video call to walk through the coins together before submitting photos, if that is more convenient. Contact him directly at [email protected] to discuss the best approach.
How to Sell Your Silver Dollars
Photograph both sides of each silver dollar in natural light using your smartphone. For albums or folders, photograph each page. Submit through the form on this page — up to 20 photos per submission.
Richard reviews your photos and sends a written estimate within 24–48 hours. Each coin is identified, its condition assessed, and a purchase offer provided — itemized so you can see the reasoning behind each value.
If you accept the offer, Richard emails you a prepaid Canada Post shipping label. Once your coins arrive and are verified, payment is sent by Interac e-Transfer — typically the same day or next business day.
What to Expect
The photo estimate is completely free. There are no appraisal fees, no consultation charges, and no obligation to sell.
You receive a written offer that lists each coin individually with its assessed value. Nothing is vague or verbal.
You can take as long as you need to review the offer. If you decline, your coins stay with you — there is nothing to return.
Once you accept an offer, Richard emails you a prepaid Canada Post shipping label. Shipping costs are incorporated into the quote — nothing extra to pay.
Payment is sent by Interac e-Transfer the same day or next business day after your coins arrive and are verified.
Richard buys silver dollars from sellers in every province and territory. The entire process is handled remotely — your location does not matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Canadian silver dollars worth selling?
Most Canadian silver dollars (1935–1967) contain approximately 0.6 troy oz of pure silver and are worth at least their silver melt value. Key dates like the 1948 dollar and high-grade examples can be worth significantly more. Upload photos to find out what yours are worth.
Which Canadian silver dollars are most valuable?
The 1948 Canadian silver dollar is the key date of the series, with values ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on grade. Other notable dates include 1935, 1936, 1938, 1945, and the 1950 Arnprior and 1952 No Water Lines varieties.
Does condition affect the value of a Canadian silver dollar?
Yes, significantly. For key dates, the difference between a worn example and a well-preserved one can be thousands of dollars. For common dates, condition matters less — most circulated examples trade near silver melt value.
Do I need to mail my silver dollars to get an estimate?
No. The estimate is based entirely on photos. You only mail your coins after receiving a written offer and deciding to accept it. Once you accept, Richard emails you a prepaid Canada Post shipping label at no cost to you.
Can I sell a full collection of silver dollars?
Yes. Richard buys individual coins and full collections. For inherited albums or folders, upload photos of each coin or each page and Richard will assess the entire collection in a single written offer.
Is the 1967 Centennial dollar worth anything?
The 1967 Centennial dollar is common but contains the same 0.6 troy oz of silver as other dates in the series, giving it a solid melt value. Uncirculated examples with original luster are worth a modest premium above melt. It is not a key date, but it is always worth including in a submission.
Get a Free Silver Dollar Estimate
Upload photos of your Canadian silver dollars and receive a written estimate from Richard within 24–48 hours. Free, no obligation, available across Canada.
Get a Free Silver Dollar EstimateNo mailing required upfront · No obligation to sell · Canada-wide
This guide explains the value of Canadian coins, including key dates, silver content, and factors that affect collector value. If you believe you may have a valuable coin, you can upload photos for a free 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.