Collector’s Corner: Silver dollars
By Ron Schmidt on May 25, 2024.
The silver dollar was not produced in Canada as early as some of the other coins. The first dollar made in Canada was in 1935, and along with the 1936 were the only two 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 to 1939 with the 1938 being the only one that is worth slightly more than bullion value. No dollars were produced at the mint from 1940 to 1944. 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 F condition it could be worth over $700, and in MS condition, and certified, you could see up to $20,000. From 1949 to 1966 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 there heads when a few of them were off center and made the goose look like it was diving, which then became the diving goose. This rarity could bring a few hundred dollars for a coin that is in AU condition. In 1967 this was also the last year that there was silver in the circulation dollars. The Silver dollar was still made, but for the “double dollar proof sets” only (which we will be talking about in later issues). From 1968 to 1987 all of the circulation dollars were made of nickel and worth only face value. There are a few varieties in 1974, 1982, & 1985 which may be worth slightly more. In 1987 this was the first year that 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 to 20 times face value to obtain a particular coin, as some may not as common as others. Example 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 Canadian hockey series. 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 would like to learn more about coins, we welcome you to join our club. Membership is only $15/year and allows you get discounts on coins and supplies. Collector’s Corner is contributed by the Medicine Hat Coin & stamp Club. For questions or comments about coin or stamp collection email medhatcsc@live.c 10-9
