How Much Is A Canadian Silver Dollar Worth?
Values for the Canadian silver dollar run from about $18–$25 (silver value) (Common dates, circulated) to $1,200–$2,500+ (1948, VF+). Here is what separates the bottom of that range from the top — and how to find out where your coin lands.
History of the Canadian Silver Dollar
Canada’s big silver dollar arrived in 1935 with Emanuel Hahn’s beloved voyageur design — a fur trader and First Nations paddler in a canoe. Struck in 80% silver until 1967, the series mixes affordable bullion-adjacent dates with real rarities and some of the most famous varieties in world numismatics.
The king is the 1948, with a mintage of just 18,780 caused by the die change after India’s independence altered the royal titles. Variety hunters chase the 1947 Maple Leaf and the celebrated 1955 "Arnprior" dollars with missing water lines.
The Canadian silver dollar was struck from 1935 to 1967 in silver in 80% silver. Each coin weighs 23.33 grams (0.6 oz silver). Production took place at Ottawa (Royal Canadian Mint).
How much is a Canadian silver dollar worth?
Condition drives everything in numismatics. A heavily worn Canadian silver dollar and a pristine one can differ in price by a factor of ten or more, so treat the figures below as broad retail ranges for problem-free coins rather than fixed quotes.
Printed price guides age quickly. The most honest benchmark is what comparable coins actually sold for. AI Coin Collector gives you a starting point: the Numista catalogue price per grade, from VG to UNC, whenever it identifies a coin.
- Common dates, circulated: $18–$25 (silver value)
- Common dates, uncirculated: $25–$50
- 1947 Maple Leaf: $150–$400
- 1948, VF+: $1,200–$2,500+
How to identify a genuine Canadian Silver Dollar
Before you get excited about a potential find, confirm that the coin in your hand matches the genuine article. Work through this checklist:
When a coin fails any of these checks, treat it with suspicion. Modern counterfeits can be convincing at arm's length, but weight, dimensions and die details rarely lie.
- Silver ends after 1967 — later "dollars" are nickel and worth face value.
- The 1948 is the key; confirm the date style against references, as alterations exist.
- Arnprior varieties show 2½ or fewer water lines by the canoe’s stern.
Check your Canadian silver dollar with AI Coin Collector
The fastest way to find out what you have is to photograph the coin with AI Coin Collector. Our own AI vision model suggests what it is (you check and adjust the suggestion), the app estimates a grade on the Sheldon 1–70 scale, and shows the Numista catalogue price per grade.
From there you can add the coin to a collection, see the collection’s total value and export it to CSV. The app is free to start and comes to Android first.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Canadian silver dollar worth?
Broadly, examples at the bottom of the market (Common dates, circulated) trade around $18–$25 (silver value), while the strongest pieces (1948, VF+) bring $1,200–$2,500+. Grade, rarity and eye appeal decide where a specific coin lands, and problem-free coins always bring the best prices.
How can I tell if my Canadian silver dollar is genuine?
Start with the physical basics: silver ends after 1967 — later "dollars" are nickel and worth face value. Counterfeits usually fail on weight, dimensions or fine die details, so compare your coin against verified reference photos before paying a premium.
Can an app identify and value my Canadian silver dollar?
Yes. AI Coin Collector suggests an identification from a single photo using our own AI vision model — you check and adjust it — estimates a Sheldon grade from 1 to 70, and shows the Numista catalogue price per grade.