Collector’s Corner: Canadian dollars have changed three times

By RON SCHMIDT on January 28, 2023.

This month I would like to talk about $1 coins.

The first dollar made in Canada was in 1935, and along with the 1936 were the only $2 coins under the rule of King George V. When King George VI came into power they only made coins for a few more years, from 1936-39. No dollars were produced at the mint from 1940-44.

In 1945, the dollars started rolling out of the mint again and became a valuable coin. In F condition this coin along with the 1947 (most varieties), could bring over $100. The 1948 silver dollar is the most sought-after dollar in Canadian coins. In fine condition it could be worth over $1,400, and in MS condition, and certified, you could see up to $10,000. If you are thinking of purchasing a 1948 dollar make sure you check to see if it is counterfeit, and be very cautious if someone is trying to sell you one at a greatly reduced rate.

From 1949-66, unless you have a coin with a die break or something unusual about the coin, it is only worth bullion value. In 1967, (100-year centennial) the goose, which appears on the coin, made a few collectors turn their heads when a few of them were off-centre and made the goose look like it was diving, which then became nickname of the “diving goose.” The rotation is over 90 degrees and is very noticeable. This rarity could bring a few hundred dollars for a coin that is in AU condition. There are other diving goose coins which are only diving by about 15 degrees and only bring a slight premium.

In 1967, this was also the last year that there was silver in the circulation dollars. The silver dollar was still made, but only for the “double dollar proof sets”, and the collector coins in proof or BU finish.

From 1968-87 all of the circulation dollars were made of nickel and worth only face value, with the exception of a few varieties. There are a few varieties in 1974, 1982, and 1985 which may be worth slightly more.

In 1987, this was the first year the loon dollars were made, and the nickel dollar went by the way side. From 1987 to date, there are some varieties that you may have to pay from 2-20 times face value to obtain a particular coin, as some may not be as common as others.

Examples of some of these are flying goose, Olympics, Puffins, snowy owl, loon setting, loon dance, swan, Montreal 100th anniversary, and of course the two years of the six Canadian hockey teams.

There is a large variety of dollars that are collector coins and we would need a separate article to discuss all of them. If you’d like to learn more about coins, we welcome you to join our club. Membership is only $12/year, and allows you get discounts on coins and supplies. Stop by Victory Lutheran Church on Southview Drive on the second or fourth Tuesday of each month.

Collector’s Corner is contributed by the Medicine Hat Coin & stamp Club. For questions or comments about coin or stamp collection email medhatcsc@live.com

11
-10