Canadian silver dollar
The Royal Canadian Mint issued the first silver dollar in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. The coin’s reverse design was sculpted by Emanuel Hahn and portrays a voyageur and an aboriginal paddling a birch-bark canoe. The faint lines in the background represent the Northern Lights. This design was used on the dollar until 1986. [1]
Varieties
1947
Ten varieties of the 1947 Voyageur Dollar exist. The ten varieties can be placed into three distinct categories: the Pointed Seven, the Blunt Seven, and the Maple Leaf issue. The mintages for all of these are included on the mintage indicated on the chart below.
Pointed seven
Two styles of the number 7 in 1947 were used in the dies to produce the Voyageur coins. The seven was a tall figure with the lower tail pointing back to the right. [2] On some of the coins, a dot appears near the 7. This is attributed to an imperfection in the die. Six different varieties of the Pointed 7 exist.
- Pointed 7
- Pointed 7 with a Double-Punched 4
- Pointed 7 with a dot near the 7
- Pointed 7 with a double punched HP under the effigy of His Majesty King George VI
- Pointed 7 with a triple punched HP under the effigy of His Majesty King George VI
- Pointed 7 with a quadruple punched HP under the effigy of His Majesty King George VI (The HP is the initials of the designer: T.H. Paget)
Blunt seven
A shorter 7 with the lower tail pointing almost straight down has been labelled as the blunt seven. [3]
- Blunt 7
- Blunt 7 with a double punched HP under the effigy of His Majesty King George VI
Maple Leaf issue
In 1947, India gained it's independence from the British Empire and as a result, the inscription "IND:IMP:" needed to be removed from the Obverse of the 1948 Silver Dollar. However, because there was a delay of new master dies being shipped from the UK to reflect this change, the Mint continued to produce 1947 year coins with a small Maple Leaf by the date to denote they were actually minted in 1948. Eventually the new Obverse dies did arrive, and they began to mint the 1948 Dollars mid way through the year. The very low mintages of these made the 1947 Maple Leaf and 1948 dollars exceptionally rare, with the 1948 Silver Dollar commanding a very high market price(Mint Condition 1948 coins are worth over $1900cdn as of March 2010).
- 1947 with the Maple Leaf near the 7
- 1947 with the Maple Leaf near the 7 with a double punched HP under the effigy of His Majesty King George VI[4]
1950-1952
Arnprior type varieties
During 1950, a technical problem emanated during the 1950’s that was to plague the Royal Canadian Mint. At each end of the canoe on the Voyageur Dollar, are four shallow water lines. In the process of polishing the dies, parts of these lines tended to disappear. The result was that there were differences in the appearance of the coins from year to year. There were collectors that decided arbitrarily that a certain pattern of partial water lines at the right-hand end of the canoe should be collected separately and command a premium over dollars with perfect water lines or other partial lines configurations. [5] The Arnprior type configurations tended to consist of 2 and ½ water lines at the right. Any trace of the bottom water line disqualified a coin from being considered an Arnprior type. [6]
Varieties of 1952
A modified reverse, with no water lines at all, was put into use in 1952. In addition to removing the water lines, this modified reverse was different because the image of the canoe on the coin had a larger islet tip at the right end. This variety is different from the Arnprior coins in that it was deliberately created. [7]
Origin of the Arnprior name
In December 1955, the Royal Canadian Mint made up an order of 2,000 silver dollars for a firm in Arnprior, Ontario. These coins had 2 and ½ water lines at the right end of the canoe. This was similar to the accidental disappearance of water lines on the versions from 1950-1951. The 1955 dollars caught the interest of many collectors and it was this version that led to the term Arnprior being applied to any dollar with an appearance of missing water lines. An even more collectible of the 1955 Arnprior, is given by the die break on the obverse legend, with the result being the joining of the T and the I in GRATIA. [8]
No shoulder fold obverse
An element that was common on every denomination of 1953 was the two obverses that existed. Said obverses are commonly identified as the No Shoulder Fold and the Shoulder Fold. The coinage for the year featured the new effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The sculptress was Mrs. Mary Gillick and she created a model with a relief that was too high. The centre portion of the effigy was to feature two lines on the shoulder. These lines were supposed to represent a fold in the Queen’s gown. As these lines did not appear very well, it was commonly termed the No Shoulder Strap by many collectors. [9] Later on in the year, the Royal Canadian Mint’s Chief engraver Thomas Shingles lowered the relief of the model and strengthened the shoulder and hair details. This modified obverse became known as the Shoulder Strap variety.
1957 Arnprior
The 1957 dollar had a reverse that was considered an Arnprior. The reverse featured one water line to the right of the canoe.
1965
Although 1965 would mark a change in the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, the year would offer five different varieties of the dollar.
Variety 1 and 2
The small beads on the obverse of the coin define varieties 1 and 2. The rear jewel on Queen Elizabeth II’s tiara is well attached. The 5 in 1965 has two varieties. There is a pointed 5 (the point is at the bottom) while there is another version with a blunt 5 (the bluntness is at the bottom of the 5 too).
Variety 3 and 4
The large beads on the obverse of the coin define varieties 3 and 4. The rear jewel on Queen Elizabeth II’s tiara is well attached. The 5 in 1965 has two varieties. There is a pointed 5 (the point is at the bottom) while there is another version with a blunt 5 (the bluntness is at the bottom of the 5 too).
Variety 5
The obverse of variety 5 features medium beads. Unlike the other varieties, the 5 in 1965 is pointed.
1982 planchet varieties
The 1982 nickel dollar exists on a rolled thin planchet. The normal planchet has a weight of 15.62 grams, a diameter of 32.13 mm, and a thickness of 2.50 mm. The thin planchet consists of incomplete reeding. Its weight is 7.78 grams, a diameter of 31.82 mm, and a thickness of 1.50 mm. [10] It is believed that only two exist.
History of composition
Voyageur
| Years | Weight | Diameter/Shape | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968–1986 | 15.62 g | 32.13 mm | 100% nickel |
| 1953–1967[11] | 23.33 g | 36.00 mm | 80% silver, 20% copper |
| 1935–1952 | 23.33 g | 36.00 mm | 80% silver, 20% copper |
Commemorative dollar specifications
| Type | Years | Composition | Weight (grams) | Diameter | Thickness | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen Nickel Dollars | 1968-1976, 1982, 1984 | 1.00 Nickel | 15.62 grams | 32.13 mm | N/A | Reeded |
| Specimen/Proof Silver Dollars | 1971-1991 | .500 silver, .500 copper | 23.30 grams | 36.07 mm | N/A | Reeded |
| Proof/Nickel Bronze Dollars (See $1 (Loonie) for history) | 1987-date | Nickel Plated with Bronze | 7.00 grams | 26.50 mm | 1.90 mm | 11-sided plain |
| Proof Silver Dollars | 1992-2002 | .925 silver, .075 copper | 25.175 grams | 36.07 mm | 2.95 mm | Reeded |
| Proof Silver Dollars | 2003-2006 | 99.99% silver | 25.175 grams | 36.07 mm | 3.02 mm | Reeded |
| Proof Silver Dollars | 2007 to date | .925 silver, .075 copper | 25.175 grams | 36.07 mm | N/A | Reeded |
Voyageur mintages and the 1911 silver dollar
Silver content, 1911, 1935-1966
| Year | Mintage |
|---|---|
| 1911 | 3 |
| 1935 | 428,707 |
| 1936 | 306,100 |
| 1937 | 241,002 |
| 1938 | 90,304 |
| 1945 | 38,391 |
| 1946 | 93,055 |
| 1947 | 65,595 |
| 1947ML | 21,135 |
| 1948 | 18,780 |
| 1950 | 261,002 |
| 1951 | 416,395 |
| 1952 | 406,148 |
| 1953 | 1,074,578 |
| 1954 | 246,606 |
| 1955 | 268,105 |
| 1956 | 209,092 |
| 1957 | 496,389 |
| 1959 | 1,443,502 |
| 1960 | 1,420,486 |
| 1961 | 1,262,231 |
| 1962 | 1,884,789 |
| 1963 | 4,179,981 |
| 1964 | ??? |
| 1965 | 10,768,569 |
| 1966 | 9,912,178 |
Nickel content, 1968-1986
| Year | Mintage |
|---|---|
| 1968 | 5,579,714 |
| 1969 | 4,809,313 |
| 1975 | 3,256,000 |
| 1976 | 2,101,000 |
| 1977 | 1,393,745 |
| 1978 | 2,948,488 |
| 1979 | 1,884,789 |
| 1980 | 2,544,000 |
| 1981 | 2,778,900 |
| 1982 | 1,544,398 |
| 1983 | 2,267,525 |
| 1984 | 1,223,486 |
| 1985 | 3,104,592 |
| 1986 | 3,089,225 |
Commemorative nickel dollar
| Year | Theme | Artist | Mintage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Manitoba Centennial | Raymond Taylor | 4,140,058 |
| 1971 | British Columbia Centennial | Terry Manning, Thomas Shingles | 4,260,781 |
| 1973 | Prince Edward Island Centennial | Terry Manning, Walter Ott | 3,196,452 |
| 1974 | Winnipeg Centennial | Paul Pederson, Patrick Brindley | 2,799,363 |
| 1982 | Constitution Commemorative | Ago Aarand | 11,812,000 |
| 1984 | Jacques Cartier's landing at Gaspe | Hector Greville, Victor Cote | 6,141,503 |
Commemorative silver dollar series
1935-1980
| Year | Theme | Artist | Mintage | Issue Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Voyageur Dollar | Emanuel Hahn | 428,707 | $1.00 |
| 1939 | Royal Visit | Emanuel Hahn | 1,363,816 | $1.00 |
| 1949 | Newfoundland Entry Into Confederation | Thomas Shingles | 672,218 | $1.00 |
| 1958 | Founding of the colony of British Columbia | Stephan Trenka | 3,039,630 | $1.00 |
| 1964 | Confederation Meetings Commemorative | Dinko Vodanovic | 7,296,832 | $1.00 |
| 1967 | Canadian Centennial | Alex Colville and Myron Cook | 6,767,496 | $1.00 |
| 1971 | B.C. Centennial | Patrick Brindley | 585,217 | $3.00 |
| 1973 | RCMP Centennial | Paul Cedarberg | 904,723 | $3.00 |
| 1974 | Winnipeg Centennial | Paul Pederson | 628,183 | $3.50 |
| 1975 | Calgary Stampede Centennial | D.D. Paterson | 833,095 | $3.50 |
| 1976 | Library of Parliament Centennial | Patrick Brindley and Walter Ott | 483,722 | $4.00 |
| 1977 | Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II | Raymond Lee | 744,848 | $4.25 |
| 1978 | Commonwealth Games | Raymond Taylor | 640,000 | $4.50 |
| 1979 | Griffon Tricentennial | Walter Schluep | 688,671 | $5.50 |
| 1980 | Arctic Territories Centennial | D.D. Paterson | 389,564 | $22.00 |
1981-1999
Note: 1981 was the first year that the RCM issued two different qualities of silver dollars. One version was the Proof, which composed of a frosted relief against a parallel lined background. The second version was the Brilliant Uncirculated. The finish is classified as a brilliant relief on a brilliant background.
| Year | Theme | Artist | Mintage (Proof) | Issue Price (Proof) | Mintage (BU) | Issue Price (BU) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canadian Pacific Railway Centennial | Christopher Gorey | 353,742 | $18.00 | 148,647 | $14.00 |
| 1982 | Regina Centennial | Huntley Brown | 577,959 | $15.25 | 144,989 | $10.95 |
| 1983 | World University Games | Carola Tietz | 340,068 | $16.15 | 159,450 | $10.95 |
| 1984 | Toronto Sesquicentennial | D.J. Craig | 571,079 | $17.50 | 133,563 | $11.40 |
| 1985 | National Parks Centennial | Karel Rohlicek | 537,297 | $17.50 | 162,873 | $12.00 |
| 1986 | Vancouver Centennial | Elliott John Morrison | 496,418 | $18.00 | 124,574 | $12.25 |
| 1987 | John Davis 400th Anniversary | Christopher Gorey | 405,688 | $19.00 | 118,722 | $14.00 |
| 1988 | Saint-Maurice Ironworks | R.R. Carmichael | 259,230 | $20.00 | 106,702 | $15.00 |
| 1989 | Mackenzie River Bicentennial | John Mardon | 272,319 | $21.75 | 110,650 | $16.25 |
| 1990 | Henry Kelsey Tricentennial | D.J. Craig | 222,983 | $22.95 | 85,763 | $16.75 |
| 1991 | Frontenac | D.J. Craig | 222,892 | $22.95 | 82,642 | $16.75 |
| 1992 | Kingston to York Stagecoach | Karsten Smith | 187,612 | $23.95 | 78,160 | 17.50 |
| 1993 | Stanley Cup Centennial | Stewart Sherwood | 294,214 | $23.95 | 88,150 | $17.50 |
| 1994 | RCMP Northern Dog Team | Ian D. Sparkes | 178,485 | $24.50 | 65,295 | $17.95 |
| 1995 | 325th Anniversary Hudson's Bay Company | Vincent McIndoe | 166,259 | $24.50 | 61,819 | $17.95 |
| 1996 | John McIntosh, McIntosh Apple | Roger Hill | 133,779 | $29.95 | 58,834 | $19.95 |
| 1997 | 25th Anniversary of Canada/Russia Summit Series | Walter Burden | 184,965 | $29.95 | 155,252 | $19.95 |
| 1997 | 10th Anniversary of Loon Dollar | Jean-Luc Grondin | 24,995 | $49.95 | No BU Exists | N/A |
| 1998 | 125th Anniversary of RCMP | Adeline Halvorson | 130,795 | $29.95 | 81,376 | $19.95 |
| 1999 | 225th Anniversary of the Voyage of Juan Perez | D.J. Craig | 126,435 | $29.95 | 67,655 | $19.95 |
2000-2009
| Year | Theme | Artist | Mintage (Proof) | Issue Price (Proof) | Mintage (BU) | Issue Price (BU) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Voyage of Discovery | D.F. Warkentin | 121,575 | $29.95 | 62,975 | $19.95 |
| 2001 | 50th Anniversary of the National Ballet of Canada | Dora de Pédery-Hunt | 89,390 | $30.95 | 53,668 | $20.95 |
| 2001 | 90th Anniversary of the Striking of Canada's 1911 Silver Dollar | W.H.J. Blakemore | 24,996 | $49.95 | No BU Exists | N/A |
| 2002 | Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II | Royal Canadian Mint Staff | 29,688 | $33.95 | 64,410 | $24.95 |
| 2003 | Discovery of Cobalt | John Mardon | 88,536 | $36.95 | 51,130 | $28.95 |
| 2004 | 400th Anniversary, First French Settlement in North America | R.R. Carmichael | 81,335 | $36.95 | 41,934 | $28.95 |
| 2005 | 40th Anniversary, Flag of Canada | William Woodruff | N/A | $34.95 | N/A | $24.95 |
| 2006 | Victoria Cross | Royal Canadian Mint Staff | N/A | $34.95 | N/A | $26.95 |
| 2007 | Thayendanegea Joseph Brant | RCM Staff based on image by Laurie McGaw | 35,000 | $42.95 | 65,000 | $34.95 |
| 2008 | Quebec City, 400th Anniversary & 1st French settlement in North America. | Suzanne Duranceau | 35,000 | $42.95 | 65,000 | $34.95 |
| 2009 | 100th Anniversary of flight in Canada. | Jason Bouwman | 50,000 | $47.95 | 50,000 | $39.95 |
Special edition proof silver dollars
| Year | Theme | Artist | Mintage | Issue Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | International Year of Older Persons | S. Armstrong-Hodgins | 24,976 | $49.95 |
| 2002 | The Queen Mother | Royal Canadian Mint Staff | 9,994 | $49.95 |
| 2003 | 50th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (First Effigy of Queen) | Emanuel Hahn | 21,400 | N/A |
| 2003 | 50th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (Fourth Effigy of Queen) | Emanuel Hahn | 29,586 | $51.95 |
| 2004 | 400th Anniversary First French Settlement in North America, Privy Marked (part of Coin and Stamp Set) | R.R. Carmichael | 8,315 | $99.95 |
| 2004 | The Poppy | Cosme Saffioti | 24,527 | $49.95 |
| 2006 | Medal of Bravery | Royal Canadian Mint Staff | N/A | $54.95 |
| 2007 | Celebration of the Arts | Friedrich Peter | 20,000 | $54.95 |
| 2008 | 100th Anniversary, Royal Canadian Mint | Jason Bouwman | 25,000 | $59.95 |
References
- ^ The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p.155, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 158, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 158, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 158, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 160, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 160, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 161, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 163, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 70, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, p. 544, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ "In the summer of 1967 the silver content of the dime and quarter were reduced from 80% to 50% and production of 50-cent pieces and dollars for general circulation was stopped."Coins and Tokens: 1870 to the Present The Canadian Encyclopedia.
- ^ Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, 60th W.K. Cross, Editor, pp. 155-172, ISBN 0-88968-297-6, The Charlton Press, Toronto
- ^ Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, 60th W.K. Cross, Editor, pp. 289, ISBN 0-88968-297-6, The Charlton Press, Toronto
- ^ The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, pp.155-170, pp.289-299, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, pp.299-312, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, W.K. Cross, pp.313-321, The Charlton Press, Toronto, Ontario, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
