Canadian Twenty-five Cent
and Twenty Cent Coins

QUEEN VICTORIA
1837 TO 1901

PROVINCE OF CANADA 20 CENT, 1858 only

Young Head

In 1858, before Canadian Confederation, 20 cent pieces were issued under the Province of Canada. Because these coins were the proto-types of the first issue of Canadian 25 cent pieces after Confederation, these are often included in collections of Canadian decimal coins. The image above shows only the type, and is not a coin currently for sale.

1858 ............................... ICCS F-15   $110.00





CANADA 25 CENT

Mature Head, 1870 to 1901


(image of type only)


1870 ................................... VF-30   $140.00




1872 H ................................... G-6    $11.00
1872 H ................................. VF-30    $95.00




1874 H ........................ minor digs G-4    $ 6.00




1880 H wide .............................. G-4    $90.00




1882 H ................................. VF-30   $235.00




1883 H .................... old cleaning XF-40   $195.00




1888 .................................... F-15    $75.00




1892 ..................................... G-4    $13.00




1900 ................................... VF-20    $62.50





EDWARD VII
1902 TO 1910


(image of type only)


1902 ..................................... G-4    $ 7.50
1902 ..................................... G-6    $10.00




1903 ..................................... G-4    $10.00
1903 ..................................... G-6    $12.50
1903 ................................... VF-30   $160.00




1904 ..................................... G-4    $15.00
1904 ................................... VF-30      SOLD




1905 ..................................... G-4    $ 8.50
1905 ..................................... G-6    $10.50




1907 ..................................... G-6    $ 6.00
1907 .................................... VG-8    $ 8.00
1907 .................................... F-12      SOLD




1908 ..................................... G-4    $ 8.00
1908 ..................................... G-6    $12.40




1909 ..................................... G-4    $ 4.00




1910 ..................................... G-4    $ 3.75
1910 ..................................... G-6    $ 5.00
1910 .................................... VG-8    $ 6.75
1910 ................................... VG-10    $11.50
1910 .................................... F-12    $20.00
1910 ................................... VF-20    $52.50





GEORGE V
1911 TO 1936

The 1911 coins, lacking "DEI GRATIA" in the obverse inscription, are known as "GODLESS COINS". They are considered to be a different type than the rest of George V's issues.




1911 Godless ............................ VG-8      SOLD
1911 Godless ........................... VG-10      SOLD



(image of type only)


In 1912, the "DEI GRATIA" again appeared on the obverse of all Canadian Coins.




1912 .................................. XF-45    $99.50




1913 ..................................... G-6    $ 3.75
1913 ................................... VG-10    $ 6.50




1915 ..................................... G-4    $11.00
1915 ..................................... G-6    $13.50




1916 ..................................... G-6      SOLD




1917 .................................... VG-8    $ 4.25




1919 ................................... VF-20      SOLD
1919 ................................... AU-50    $50.00




1920 ..................................... G-6    $ 3.00




1921 ................ full reverse letters G-4    $ 9.00
1921 ................... obverse scratches G-6    $ 6.75
1921 .............. typically weak reverse G-6    $ 7.50
1921 ..................................... G-6    $10.00
1921 .................................... VG-8      SOLD
1921 .................................... F-15      SOLD




From 1922 to 1926 no Canadian 25 cent coins were struck.




1928 ................................... VG-10    $ 5.50




1930 .................................... VG-8      SOLD




1933 .................................... VG-8      SOLD




1934 ..................................... G-6    $ 3.75
1934 .................................... VG-8    $ 5.00




1935 .................................... VG-8    $ 5.00
1935 ........ very faint reverse scratch AU-58      SOLD




1936 .................................... VG-8    $ 3.75
1936 ................................... VG-10    $ 4.50
1936 .................................... F-12      SOLD
1936 ................................... VF-20    $14.50




When Edward VIII accessioned as King in 1936, preparations were made to strike 1937 coins with his image. His abdication late in 1936 eliminated the need for those dies, but created a short notice need for dies with the image of George VI through out the British Commonwealth. The masters for those designs had to be prepared in England, which took time, so at the beginning of 1937 no dies were yet available, so to fill the need for coins, George V coins dated 1936 but with a small dot below the date to indicate they were really made in 1937, were struck in the 1, 10 and 5 cent denominations. When the new George VI dies were finally ready, all 1936 "dot" coins still in the mint were destroyed, including all of the 1 and 10 cent coins as none had yet been issued. Only the 1936 "dot" quarters had already been released and making them the only 1936 "dot" coins available to the average collector. The few 1936 "dot" 1 and 10 coins coins that now exist are all specimen strikes, who's origins are clouded in mystery, as it is uncertainty when and by whom they were struck. They were unknown to exist prior the mid 1940's, when a small group of them suddenly appeared and were all sold to a single collector under rather mysterious circumstances. Most 1936 "dot" quarters are very weak on the "CA" in CANADA due to excessive wear that occurs from that being the low point on the die they were struck with. A small number were struck with a die that was not low at that point, and so have a strong "CA". It is likely the low "CA" on that die resulted from deterioration of the die during use. In spite of there being no mention of this difference in the price guides, strong "CA" examples are worth a premium.




1936 Dot, typical weak reverse .. rim bump G-6      SOLD





GEORGE VI
1937 to 1952


(image of 1937 to 1947 type only)


1937 ................................... VF-30      SOLD




1938 .................................... F-15      SOLD




1939 .................................... F-12    $ 4.25
1939 ................................... XF-40      SOLD




1940 ................................... XF-40      SOLD




1941 ................................... AU-58      SOLD




1942 ................................... VF-30    $ 4.00
1942 ................................... MS-62      SOLD




1943 ................................... XF-40    $ 4.00
1943 ................................... XF-45    $ 6.00




1944 ................................... VF-30    $ 3.75
1944 ................................... XF-40    $ 5.00
1944 ................................... XF-45    $ 6.00




1945 ................................... VF-20    $ 3.25




1946 .................................... F-15    $ 4.50
1946 ................................... MS-63      SOLD




The 1947 dot quarter is a mint error caused by a deteriorating die that has developed small pits that result in small raised dots on each coin. This particular variety is popular with many collectors because the largest dot is in exactly the same position as the maple leaf on the 1947 ML quarters (discussed below).




1947 dot ................................ F-12      SOLD




In 1947 India received its independence, so "IND IMP" (India's Emperor) had to be removed from the King's titles on any British Commonwealth coins dating 1948 or newer. In 1948, while waiting for dies with the corrected titles to be sent from England, Canadian coins dated 1947, with "IND IMP", were struck with a small maple leaf behind the date to indicate they were actually minted in 1948.




1947 ML ................................ XF-45      SOLD




POST 1947 INSCRIPTIONS


(image of 1948 to 1952 type only)


1948 ................................... AU-50      SOLD




1949 ................................... VF-30    $ 3.50
1949 ................................... XF-45      SOLD




1950 ................................... XF-40    $ 3.50
1950 ................................... MS-62      SOLD




1951 ................................... XF-40    $ 3.75




1952 high relief ........................ F-12      SOLD





ELIZABETH II
1953 to present

Young Head Series


(image of 1953 to 1964 type only)



When the first issues of Elizabeth's appeared in 1953, it was quickly noticed her shoulder appeared bare, resulting from the cloth fold on her shoulder being engraved too weakly engraved into a low point on the die (high point on the coin) to strike up fully. These are known as the "NO SHOULDER STRAP" (NSS) variety, although traces of a very weak shoulder fold are visible on most high quality examples. The bare shouldered look was considered inappropriate, so new dies were cut with that fold of cloth showing strongly, creating the "SHOULDER STRAP" or (SS) variety. There were other changes in the design, including to some of the letter forms, for quarters the date was made slightly smaller. All 1953 NSS quarters have large dates, and all 1953 SS quarters have small dates, providing a simply way to tell them apart if the shoulder strap are is too worn to see clearly.




1953 NSS ............................... MS-60      SOLD




1953 SS ................................ XF-40      SOLD




1955 ................................... XF-45      SOLD




1958 ........................ cameo PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




1961 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




1962 ................................... MS-63      SOLD




1963 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.25
1963 ........................ cameo PROOF-LIKE      SOLD





Mature Head Series

1965 .................. heavy cameo PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
1965 .................. ultra cameo PROOF-LIKE    $38.50




In 1967, to celebrate Canada's 100th anniversary as a country, all of the standard circulating coins were issued depicting various animals common to Canada, with a lynx depicted on the twenty-fine cent coins. They are the earliest Canadian coin commonly found in Specimen strikings, which were made for the black-boxed sets which also contained the $20.00 gold coins. 1967 25 cent coins are very common, even average un-circulated examples are not worth more than the silver they contain and not worth the time and trouble of listing there, so we only list examples of superb quality (far nicer than you normally see them).




1967 lynx ......................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 3.50
1967 lynx ................... cameo PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




1968 saw a return to the standard reverse of the Caribou.




1968 silver ............................ MS-63      SOLD




Note that both silver and nickel quarters were struck in 1968. A magnet will pick up those made from nickel, but not from silver.






NICKEL 25 CENTS




For the majority of dates, nickel 25 coins are very common and not worth the time and trouble of listing for sale unless of exceptional quality (there are a few exceptions, such as 1991 or a few rare varieties such as the 1973 large bust). If you don't see a particular date listed here, do not assume that it is rare. It may be because we do not currently have a specimen of high enough quality to be worth listing. Most of the examples we do list, will be of exceptional quality or examples from Proof like or Proof sets, which are much nicer coins than standard circulation strikes.




1968 nickel ................ heavy cameo PL-64    $16.50
1968 nickel ................ ultra cameo PL-64    $32.00
1968 nickel ................ ultra cameo PL-65    $56.00




1969 ........................ cameo PROOF-LIKE    $ 8.00
1969 .......................... ultra cameo PL    $32.00




During 1973 a special issue of quarters was struck to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Along with the commemorative reverse showing a Mounted Police officer, the obverse with the Queens head was lightly modified from previous years.




1973 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




Early in 1973, a small number of the quarters were accidently struck using a 1972 obverse die with the regular large head with less detail, and the more numerous smaller beads around the border. These are known as the large bust variety, and it is estimated that only about 1 in 10,000 of the 1973 quarters is this variation. About half of which come from mint sets, and are found in both the proof-like and specimen sets.




1973 large bust ........ meter scratches XF-40      SOLD
1973 large bust ............ in Proof-Like set   $325.00




1974 saw a return to the regular caribou reverse design, and a return to the Queen's portrait that had been used on the pre-1973 issues.




1977 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.00




1978 large beads .................... SPECIMEN      SOLD




1982 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.25




1983 ................................... MS-63      SOLD
1983 ................................... PROOF    $ 4.00




1984 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
1984 ................................... PROOF      SOLD




1986 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
1986 ................................... PROOF    $ 2.50




1987 ................................... PROOF    $ 2.50




1988 ................................... PROOF    $ 2.50




1989 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00




In 1991 only about 459,000 25 cents were struck, almost none of which were put into general circulation. That is less than 1 for every 60 Canadians.




1991 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




Starting in 1992, all proof quarters were struck from sterling silver rather than the usual nickle alloys. Due to the 1992 provincial quarter program, no circulation strike 1992 caribou quarters were made, but they were included in the regular mint sets, and so are seen in PROOF-LIKE, SPECIMEN and PROOF quality.




1992 caribou ...................... PROOF-LIKE    $14.00




In 1992, 12 different 25 Cents were struck for circulation, one for each of the 10 provinces and two territories, with designs depicting scenes important to each region. The standard circulation strikes, and proof-like strikes are made of nickel, but the Proof strikings were of sterling silver.




1992 YUKON ........................ PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




1992 OFFICIAL PROOF SET OF 12 QUARTERS                 
STRUCK FROM STERLING SILVER AND IN THE                 
ORIGINAL PLUSH CASE .................... PROOF      SOLD




In 1993 the standard caribou design 25 cents were again struck for circulation.




1993 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




1994 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD
1994 ................................ SPECIMEN    $ 2.00
1994 ................................... PROOF    $ 5.00




While the circulation and specimen strikes of the 25 cent coins continued to be 100% nickel alloy as with earlier dates, starting in 1996 the Proof coins began to be struck from a sterling silver alloy (92.5% silver, 7.5% copper).




1996 ............................ silver PROOF      SOLD




In 1997 and 1998 no quarters were struck for circulation, but were included in the PROOF-LIKE, SPECIMEN and PROOF sets, so are available in those qualities.




1997 .............................. PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




In 1998, the Canadian Mint experimented with placing a "W" mint mark on those cons minted at the Winnipeg mint, but the experiment was abandoned part way through the year, and examples with the "W" mint mark are much more scarce than those without.




1998 W ............................ PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




To commemorate the Royal Canadian Mint's 90th anniversary, special sets of coins were struck with the sizes, alloys, and general reverse designs of the 1908 coins, but Queen Elizabeth's portrait and the date shown as "1908 - 2008". The early sets were struck with an antiqued matte-proof finish that proved un-popular with collectors, but are now the scarer type. The later sets have a mirror proof finish.




1908-1998 commemorative ........... matte-PROOF      SOLD




1999 was a rather interesting year for Canadian quarters. As with the 1997 and 1998 quarters, the standard Caribou design was struck, but only for the mint sets.




1999 caribou ........................ SPECIMEN      SOLD




The quarters issued for circulation in 1999 were a set of 12 different commemoratives, which Commemorate different aspects of Canadian History. The coins struck to be issued through the banks or for the standard Proof-like sets of the 12, were struck from nickle, while the Proof striking that came in a plush fitted box were struck from sterling silver. PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR THE OFFICIAL PROOF-LIKE SETS, WHILE THE SETS INSIDE THE BOXES AND THE COINS WILL BE IN PERFECT CONDITION, THE OUTER PROTECTIVE BOXES WILL ALMOST ALWAYS BE SLIGHTLY BEAT UP (this is just the way they normally come to us).




1999 JANUARY ...................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1999 FEBRUARY...................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1999 MARCH ........................ PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1999 APRIL ........................ PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1999 MAY .......................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1999 JUNE ......................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1999 JULY ......................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1999 AUGUST ....................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1999 SEPTEMBER .................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1999 OCTOBER ...................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1999 NOVEMBER ..................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
1999 DECEMBER ..................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00




1999 OFFICIAL MINT PROOF-LIKE ...... SET OF 12    $18.95

The official Proof sets of the 1999 quarters come in hard oval fitted box, and the coins are all struck from sterling silver.




1999 OFFICIAL SILVER PROOF SET OF 12 .........      SOLD




Some interesting variations have just come to light in that they accidently struck some of the November and October commemorative quarters with an obverse die meant for the standard Caribou quarter, and so these do not have the words "25 CENTS" on them anywhere. These are known as muled die errors.




1999 September mule error ......... PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




In 1999, as a cost saving measure, the Canadian Mint made plans to strike 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cent coins on plated steel blanks. The blanks were first nickel plated, then copper plated, with the 1 cent coins struck on the copper plating, but the 5, 10, 25 and 50 cent were given a second nickel plating before being struck. A small letter "P" was placed below the Queen's head to indicated the coins were on plated blanks. No "P" coins were issued for circulation in 1999, but sets of them were made as test tokens for calibrating vending machines to accept them. The vending machine companies were required to return test tokens after they are done with them, but some of the tokens appeared on the market at very high prices (over $100 each). The mint decided to get in on the action and made about 20,000 sets of 1999 "P" coins to sell directly to collectors at just over $100 per set of 5 coins. The packaging was similar to Proof-like sets, so we call these coins Proof-likes, although there exact status is not certain. The 1999 P 25 cent below, which has the standard Caribou design, is from one of these sets.




1999 P ............................ PROOF-LIKE    $25.00




Starting in 1999, in some years Canada struck a number of different quarters, including both the standard caribou type, and various special commemorative types. Some of the commemorative types have special colored areas in the design (usually just red), but others do not. For all coins listed below, will will indicated any of the colored coins as being colorized. If we make no such indication, you can assume the coin is not colored. PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY OF THE SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE OFFERED BELOW ARE IN STANDARD 2x2 HOLDERS. For those types that came in official packaging, they are no longer in that original packaging unless otherwise stated.




In 2000 the first circulation strike "P" coins were minted, but only on 5 cent coins were coins were officially released for circulation (both plated "P" and solid nickel without the "P" 5 cent pieces were minted in 2000). A few 2000 dated "P" 10, 25 and 50 cent coins were struck, and while they were never officially released for circulation, some have turned up having been accidentally released. 2001 saw the official issues of other denominations begin to appear.

2000 was another interesting year year for Canadian quarters. Again the standard Caribou design was struck but only for the mint sets, and they exist with and without the W mint mark (for Winnipeg mint).




2000 W, caribou ................... PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




For circulation in 2000, they issued 12 different quarters commemorating aspects of Canadian life, and again, the denomination of "25 CENTS" is under the Queens head, rather than between the Caribou's antler as on the regular quarters. The official mint Proof-like sets are in an oval card holder, with the coins pressed into holes in the card, and includes a small (quarter sized) mint medal. PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR THE OFFICIAL PROOF-LIKE SETS, WHILE THE SETS INSIDE THE BOXES AND THE COINS WILL BE IN PERFECT CONDITION, THE OUTER PROTECTIVE BOXES WILL ALMOST ALWAYS BE SLIGHTLY BEAT UP (this is just the way they normally come to us).




2000 HEALTH  ...................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
2000 ACHIEVEMENT .................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
2000 INGENUITY .................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
2000 PRIDE ........................ PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
2000 NATURAL LEGACY ............... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
2000 HARMONY ...................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
2000 CELEBRATION .................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
2000 FAMILY ....................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
2000 WISDOM ....................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
2000 CREATIVITY ................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
2000 FREEDOM ...................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00
2000 COMMUNITY .................... PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.00




2000 OFFICIAL MINT PROOF-LIKE ...... SET OF 12    $18.95

The official Proof sets of the 2000 quarters come in hard oval fitted box, and the coins are all struck from sterling silver.




2000 OFFICIAL SILVER PROOF SET OF 12 .........      SOLD




2001 P, Canada day ........... colorized MS-65    $12.50
2001 P, Canada day ........ colorized SPECIMEN      SOLD




2002 P, Canada day ..................... MS-64      SOLD
2002 P, Canada day ........... colorized MS-65    $16.00




2003 P, Canada day ........... colorized MS-65    $16.50
2003 P, Canada day ...... colorized PROOF-LIKE    $16.00




2004 P, Canada day ........... colorized MS-65    $24.00




2004 P, poppy .................. colorized UNC    $ 1.00




2005 P, Alberta .......................... UNC    $ 1.00




2005 P, Saskatchewan ..................... UNC    $ 1.00




2005 P, Veterans ......................... UNC    $ 1.00




2006 P, Breast cancer .......... colorized UNC    $ 1.00