Canadian silver quarter (25 cents) (1920–1967) melt value
Canadian 25-cent coins dated 1920 to 1966 are 80% silver, and so are many dated 1967. Older ones, from 1919 and earlier, are 92.5% (sterling) silver. Here's what the silver inside is worth at today's live price.
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Canadian silver quarter (25 cents)s by year
| Years | Composition | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| 1870–1919 | 92.5% silver (sterling) | — |
| 1920–1966 | 80% silver | — |
| 1967 | 80% or 50% silver | — |
| 1967–1968 (50% silver coins) | 50% silver | — |
| 1968–present | Base metal (no silver) | Face value only |
Related coins
All coins →Common questions
How do I know if my canadian silver quarter (25 cents) is silver?
Check the date. Canadian quarters from 1920–1966 are 80% silver. A 1967 quarter is either 80% or 50% silver. A 1968 quarter is either 50% silver or nickel. Nickel quarters stick to a strong magnet and weigh about 5.05 grams; silver quarters do not stick and weigh about 5.83 grams. From 1937 the back shows a caribou; the 1967 centennial quarter shows a bobcat. Coins from 1920–1952 are slightly smaller (23.62 mm). Face value is 25 Canadian cents.
Why does a dealer pay less than melt value?
Dealers need room to cover refining, shipping and resale costs, so most pay a percentage of melt value for common-date coins.
What is "junk silver"?
Common-date 90% silver coins that are bought and sold for their silver content rather than their collector value.
Is it legal to melt coins?
US rules prohibit melting one-cent and five-cent coins. That rule does not cover dimes, quarters, half dollars, dollars or bullion coins. Most people sell coins whole to a dealer rather than melting them.