Caribou Quarters & Bluenose Dimes: A Guide to Canada's Silver Classics
Flip over a Canadian quarter or dime today and you'll see a caribou or a schooner. Those designs have been on Canada's coins since 1937, and for the first 30 years, they were struck in real silver.
Here's the story of two of the most iconic coins Canada has ever made, and why collectors can't get enough of them.
One sculptor, two legends
In 1937, Canada got a new king, George VI, and a whole new set of coin designs to go with him. Canadian sculptor Emanuel Hahn designed both the caribou and the Bluenose. That's right, the same guy is behind two of the most famous designs in Canadian history.
The caribou quarter
Hahn's design shows the head of a caribou, and it's pure Canadian North. It's bold and simple, and it's still on our quarters today. That makes it one of the longest-running designs in Canadian coin history.
The Bluenose dime
The dime shows a schooner under full sail, based on photos of the Bluenose, the famous racing schooner out of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. She was a legend of the North Atlantic fishing schooner races, and she's been sailing on the dime ever since.
The specs
Both coins were 80% silver from 1920 to 1967:
| Coin | Weight | Diameter | Silver per coin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter (25¢) | 5.83 g | 23.62 mm (1920–52), 23.88 mm (1953–67) | ~0.15 troy oz |
| Dime (10¢) | 2.33 g | 18.03 mm | ~0.06 troy oz |
Collector cheat code: ten 80% quarters ≈ 1.5 oz of silver, ten 80% dimes ≈ 0.6 oz.
The portraits on the front
From 1937 to 1966, you'll find three different portraits:
- King George VI (1937–1952)
- Queen Elizabeth II, first portrait (1953–1964)
- Queen Elizabeth II, second portrait (1965 onward)
Try collecting one of each. It's an easy goal that makes a sick little display.
The 1947 "maple leaf" coins
This is one of the best stories in Canadian coins.
In 1947, India became independent, so King George VI was no longer Emperor of India. That meant the Latin "ET IND: IMP:" ("and Emperor of India") had to come off Canada's coins. The new dies weren't ready in time, so in 1948 the Mint kept striking coins with the old 1947 dies and added a tiny maple leaf next to the date to mark them.
The quarter comes in three 1947 versions: regular, dot, and maple leaf. The dime has a 1947 maple leaf too. Grab a magnifying glass and check your 1947s. It's one of the most fun details to spot.
Dates to hunt
- 1948 dime: only 422,741 made, the lowest mintage of any silver dime from 1937–1966
- 1954 quarter: only 2,318,891 made, low for an Elizabeth II quarter
- 1953 quarters: come in "with" and "without" shoulder strap varieties on the Queen's gown
1967 and 1968: the switch-up
For Canada's 100th birthday in 1967, artist Alex Colville designed special reverses for the whole set of coins. The quarter got a prowling bobcat and the dime got an Atlantic mackerel. The 1967 dimes and quarters were made in both 80% and 50% silver.
In 1968, dimes and quarters came in both 50% silver and pure nickel before silver was gone for good. To check a 1968, hold a magnet up to it. If it sticks, it's nickel. If nothing happens, it's silver.
Why these two are collector favourites
- Iconic designs. These are the most recognizable coins in the country, and the silver versions are the originals.
- Easy to start. Silver dimes and quarters are some of the most affordable old silver coins out there.
- Endless details. Three portraits, maple leaf coins, shoulder straps, low-mintage dates. There's always something new to look for.
Start your collection
Get a bunch of these classics in one go:
- 10-coin 80% silver quarter bundle: ten genuine caribou quarters from 1937–1966
- 10-coin 80% silver dime bundle: ten genuine Bluenose dimes from 1937–1966
Each bundle comes in a velvet pouch. Then check the dates, check for maple leaves, and see which portraits you've got.
FAQ
Are caribou quarters silver?
Yes, if they're dated 1966 or earlier (80% silver). 1967 quarters are 80% or 50% silver, 1968 quarters are 50% silver or nickel, and 1969 and later are nickel.
How much silver is in a Canadian silver dime?
An 80% silver dime (1920–1967) has about 0.06 troy oz of pure silver.
Who designed the caribou quarter and the Bluenose dime?
Canadian sculptor Emanuel Hahn designed both. They were introduced in 1937.
What is a 1947 maple leaf coin?
It's a coin struck in 1948 using the 1947 dies, with a tiny maple leaf added next to the date to mark it. This happened because the new dies without "Emperor of India" weren't ready yet.
Is the ship on the dime the Bluenose?
Yes. The design is based on photos of the Bluenose, the famous racing schooner from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
Caribou or Bluenose? Why not both. Browse all our Canadian silver coin bundles.