Canadian Half Dollars

QUEEN VICTORIA
AD 1837 - 1901

The Victorian and Edwardian 50 cent coins were the "workhorse" coins of their day and very few have survived above a grade of VG.

The first Canadian half dollar was struck in 1870 and exists both with and without the designer's initials "LCW" on the truncation of the Queen's neck. The examples with "LCW" are much rarer, but one must look at these carefully to be sure that the "LCW" has not been removed.

1870 ...................... toned, baggy VF-30   $275.00




1872 H ................................... G-4      SOLD
1872 H ................................... G-6      SOLD
1872 H .................................. VG-8    $65.00




1892 H, OBV 4. ... (slightly baggy) ICCS VF-30   $535.00




1901 ............................ rim bump G-4      SOLD
1901 .............. minor marks on obverse G-6    $34.00





EDWARD VII
AD 1902 - 1910



image of type only


1906 .................................... VG-8      SOLD
1906 ................................... VG-10    $25.00
1906 ................................... XF-40   $380.00




1910 Edwardian leaves .................. VF-20      SOLD
1910 Edwardian leaves .................. VF-30   $160.00
1910 Edwardian leaves .................. XF-40   $335.00




1910 Victorian leaves .... minor rim bumps G-6    $12.00
1910 Victorian leaves .................... G-6    $14.00





GEORGE V
AD 1911 - 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 coinage.




image of 1911 type only


1911 Godless ............................. G-6    $13.50
1911 Godless ............................ VG-8    $21.50




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




image of 1937 TO 1947 type only


1912 ..................................... G-6    $ 7.50
1912 .................................... VG-8    $10.00




1914 ............................... VG-8/aG-3    $16.50
1914 .................................... VG-8    $25.00




1917 .................................... VG-8    $ 7.50




1918 .................................... VG-8    $ 8.50




1919 .................................... VG-8    $ 8.00
1919 .................................... F-12    $12.50




1920 large 0 ............................. G-6    $ 8.50




1929 .................................... VG-8    $ 8.00




1932 ..................................... G-6   $140.00




1934 .................................... VG-8    $27.50
1934 ................................... VF-30   $195.00





GEORGE VI
AD 1937 - 1952



image of 1912 TO 1936 type only


1939 .................................... F-15    $12.00
1939 ................................... VF-30      SOLD




1942 ................................... VF-20    $ 7.50
1942 ................................... VF-30    $ 8.50
1942 ................................... XF-40    $12.00
1942 ................................... XF-45    $13.50




1943 ................................... XF-40    $12.00
1943 ................................... XF-45    $13.50
1943 ................................... AU-50    $16.00




In 1943 one of the half dollar dies developed a major die crack extending from the edge of the coin, across the 3 in the date to the hoof. This variety was noted by Hans Zoell in his work on minor Canadian varieties as #FL 444x. This variety is not a recognized variety in Charlton or the trend sheet.




1943 tail on 3, Zoell FL 444x ........... VG-8    $13.00




In 1943 one of the half dollar dies developed two major die cracks on the obverse, which join extending across the VI D in the inscription. This variety was noted by Hans Zoell in his work on minor Canadian varieties as #F 445b. This variety is not a recognized variety in Charlton or the trend sheet.




1943 double die breaks, Zoell FL 445b .. AU-50    $22.50




1944 ................................... VF-30    $ 8.00
1944 ................................... XF-40    $12.00
1944 ................................... XF-45    $13.50
1944 ................................... AU-50    $16.00
1944 ................................... AU-55    $24.00
1944 ................................... AU-58    $28.00
1944 ................................... MS-60    $37.50




1944 minor die filling in the 4 ........ VG-10    $ 8.00




1945 ................................... VF-30    $ 8.50
1945 ................................... XF-40    $12.00
1945 ................................... XF-45    $13.50
1945 ................................... AU-50    $20.00
1945 ................................... AU-55    $28.50
1945 ................................... MS-60    $45.00




In 1945 one of the half dollar dies developed a major die crack extending from the hoof across the 5 in the date to the 4, and is very similar to how a 1946 design half dollar looks. This varity was noted by Hans Zoell in his work on minor Canadian varieties as #FL 446n. This variety is not a recognized variety in Charlton or the trend sheet




1945 die break at date (design) ......... F-15    $15.00
1945 die break at date (design) ........ XF-40    $27.50




1946 ................................... VF-20    $ 7.00
1946 ................................... VF-30    $ 9.50
1946 ................................... XF-40    $13.50
1946 ................................... XF-45    $17.50
1946 ............................. toned AU-50    $29.00
1946 ................................... AU-58    $48.50




In 1946, one of the dies deteriorated and developed a prominent crack that extends across the 6 in the date. Coins struck with this die are known as the "design type" but to be "full design" the die crack must extend across from the 6 and touch the bottom of the 4 (see the image on the left below). Examples that show die deterioration inside the 6, but where the crack does not extending across to the 4 (see the right image below) are known as the "partial design" type are listed by Zoell as his variety R447a, and are not worth nearly as much as full design examples.




full design (left), partial design (right)


1946, partial design ................... VF-20    $15.00
1946, partial design ................... VF-30    $16.50
1946, partial design ............. baggy XF-40    $16.50
1946, partial design ................... XF-40    $19.50




1946, full design ....................... F-15    $49.50
1946, full design (die break weak) ..... VF-20    $49.50
1946, full design ...................... VF-20    $69.50
1946, full design ...................... XF-40   $200.00




1947 half dollars exist in four varieties. The major varieties are the regular 1947's (made in 1947) and 1947 maple leaf (made in 1948 and discussed below). For the 1947 plain, the tail of the "7" can either curl slightly to the right (CR) or lightly to the left (CL). Both are of about the same rarity and there is no significant difference in value. The curved left variety is also known as the STRAIGHT 7 variety.




1947 curved right ...................... XF-40    $25.00




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. As with the regular 1947 half dollars, the 1947 Maple Leaf (ML) half dollars also exist with the curved right and curved left (or straight 7) varieties, but the curved right variety is very rare.




1947 ML ........ light pock marks on obv. F-12      SOLD




Because the dies for the 1948 half dollars did not arrive from England until late in the year, very few of these were struck and are today fairly scarce.




1948 ................................... VF-20   $145.00




1949 ................................... VF-30    $ 6.50
1949 ................................... XF-40    $10.00
1949 ................................... AU-55    $32.50
1949 ................................... MS-60    $55.00




One of the 1949 50 cent dies had the last 9 in the date punched in such a position that it touches the unicorn's hoof and then a small die crack formed that starts at the hoof and extends over a small part of the 9. This variety is known the the 1949 "hoof over".




1949 hoof over .......................... F-15    $28.50

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When the 1950 dies were engraved, the ground lines below the coat of arms overlapped with the 0 in the date, resulting in a few small lines inside of the 0. One of the dies was missing these lines resulting in coins known as the "no design" variety. All genuine no design 1950 half dollars have a very fine die crack extending across the "0" and just touchs the "5".




1950 no design ......................... VF-20      SOLD




In 1951 one of the half dollar dies developed a small spot of damage inside the King's ear, resulting in a "design in ear" variety. This probably resulted from a die clash with the lions on the shield on the other side of the coin. This variety is not a recognized variety in Charlton or the trend sheet, and I don't think Zoell noted it either.




1951 design in ear ...................... F-15    $15.00




In 1952 one of the half dollar dies developed a minor die crack extending from the hoof across the 5 and 2 in the date, very similar to how a 1946 partial design half dollar looks. This variety was noted by Hans Zoell in his work on minor Canadian varieties as #FL 454n. This variety is not a recognized variety in Charlton or the trend sheet




1952 design ............................ VF-20      SOLD





ELIZABETH II
AD 1953 - PRESENT

Young Head Series




When the first issue of Elizabeth appeared in 1953, it was quickly noticed that her shoulder was bare. This was considered inappropriate, so the design was redrawn to include a fold of cloth over the shoulder, and a slight change in some of the letter forms. 1953 50 cent pieces occur in three types, with the large date no-shoulder-strap type slightly scarcer. SD - small date (all small dates are also NSS) LD SS - large date shoulder strap LD NSS - large date no shoulder strap




1953 SD ................................ MS-60      SOLD




1954 ................................... XF-40      SOLD




In 1958, one of the reverse dies developed a small pit below the last "A" in "CANADA", so coins struck with that die will have a small raised dot in that position.




1958 dot ............................... VF-30      SOLD
1958 dot ............................... AU-50      SOLD




1961 ................ ICCS cameo PROOF-LIKE-65    $21.50
1961 ............... heavy cameo PROOF-LIKE-65    $38.50




1963 ............... heavy cameo PROOF-LIKE-64      SOLD




1964 ............... heavy cameo PROOF-LIKE-64    $16.00
1964 ................ ICCS cameo PROOF-LIKE-65    $17.50

Mature Head Series




1965 ........................ cameo PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




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 howling wolf depicted on the 50 cent coins. Please note that the examples of this type we have available here are exceptional specimens, usually with cameo portraits. Normal examples are only worth the value of the silver they contain and so we do not list them for sale on this site.




1967 wolf .............................. MS-63      SOLD





NICKEL HALF DOLLARS




Starting in 1968 Canadian half dollars were struck from 100% nickle with no silver content. They are smaller than the earlier silver coins, at 8.10 grams, with a diameter of 27.13 mm and thickness of 1.93 mm (the thickness was reduced to 1.90 mm in 1980). Nickle does not pick up a cameo effect well, so circulation strike or PL nickel half dollars exhibiting strong cameo effect are very unusual. From 1968 to 1985, all dates of Canadian half dollars are common, with only very high grade examples or unusual variations, having collectable value.




1974 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.75




1977 ................................... MS-60    $ 2.50
1977 ................................... MS-62    $ 2.75
1977 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.25

In 1978 there were two varieties in how the three beads on the band of the small crown dividing the date are drawn. On the common variety all three beads are square, and so it is known as the square bead variety. On the scarcer variety the center bead is still square but the two flanking it are round, so that is known as the round bead variety.




1978 round bead ........................ MS-62    $ 6.50
1978 round bead ................... PROOF-LIKE    $12.00
1978 round bead .................. SPECIMEN-66    $22.50
1978 round bead .................. SPECIMEN-67    $45.00

In 1982 there were two varieties of obverses, one with small beads and low relief portrait, and the other with large beads and a high relief portrait. The small bead variety is much rarer than the large bead variety (some older volumes of the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins had this reversed.




1982 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 1.50




1982 small beads ....................... AU-55    $67.50
1982 small beads ....................... MS-60    $77.50
1982 small beads ....................... MS-62    $85.00
1982 small beads ....................... MS-63   $110.00




1983 ................................... PROOF    $ 3.50




1984 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50
1984 ................................... PROOF    $ 4.25




Half dollars were seldom seen in circulation after the mid-1960's, although they continued to be struck in fairly large numbers until 1985, but starting in 1986 the mintages were greatly reduced. It would now seem 50 cent dies are prepared to strike the coins for mint sets, with the few circulation strikes (virtually none of which actually circulate) struck from those dies after they are no longer fresh enough to Proof-Like quality coins.




1986 ................................... MS-63    $ 2.50
1986 ................................... PROOF    $ 5.00




1987 ................................... MS-63    $ 2.50
1987 ................................... PROOF    $ 4.25




1988 ................................... MS-63      SOLD
1988 ................................... PROOF      SOLD




1989 ................................... MS-63    $ 3.50




1990 ................................... MS-63    $ 3.50




1991 ................................... MS-63    $ 2.50
1991 ................................ SPECIMEN      SOLD




1992 ................................... MS-63    $ 3.50
1992 ................................... PROOF      SOLD




1993 ................................... MS-63    $ 2.50




1994 ................................... MS-63    $ 2.50




While the circulation and specimen strikes of the 50 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 ................................... MS-63    $ 2.50




1997 ................................... MS-63    $ 2.50
1997 ............................ silver PROOF      SOLD




In 1998, the Canadian Mint experimented with mint marked coins in the mint sets by placing a small "W" in front of the Queen's head on those struck at Winnipeg, but without a mint mark for those struck at Ottawa. The experiment was abandoned part way through the year, and examples with the "W" are much scarcer than those without.




1998 ................................... MS-63    $ 3.00
1998 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 4.00




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 ................................... MS-63    $ 2.50
1999 .............................. PROOF-LIKE    $ 2.50




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 50 cent below, is from one of these sets.




1999 P ............................ PROOF-LIKE    $20.00




2000 ................................... MS-63    $ 2.50




2000 W ............................ PROOF-LIKE      SOLD




The first circulation strike "P" 50 cent coins were struck in 2001, although a few 2000 "P" 50 cent coins exist due to an accidental release mounted on mint issued souvenir clocks.




2001 p ................................. MS-63    $ 2.50





A commemorative half dollar was issued for the Queen's 50th anniversary in 2002, with the date below the shield written as "1952 - 2002". These coins also have a special obverse showing the Queen as she looked on her accession to the throne in 1952, with a crowned "E II R CANADA" to the left, and "D G REGINA" to the right. These coins were handed out in change by Post Offices and Hudson Bay stores, making this the only Canadian half dollar to see any signficant of common circulation since the early 1970's.




2002 P commemorative ................... MS-63    $ 1.50





A different type of 2002 half dollar, with the traditional portrait of the Queen, but double date of "1952-2002" moved to the obverse just below her portrait, was also issued in 2002, but only in mint sets. None of this type were issued for circulation.




2002 P double dated ............... PROOF-LIKE      SOLD





2003 saw a return to the standard half dollar designs.




2006 P ................................. MS-65    $ 6.00




In 2007 the "P" on the plated coins was replaced with a small mint logo, although the coins are still struck on plated blanks.




2007 logo .............................. MS-65    $ 8.50




Between 1997 and 2003 Canada struck a series of 50 cent coins to celebrate Canadian festivals, sports, stores, animals, etc. They are struck from sterling silver and were struck in Proof quality. The examples we offer below are single coins in standard 2x2 holders, not their original mint packaging.




1997, Eskimo Dog ....................... PROOF      SOLD




2000, Horned Owl ....................... PROOF    $25.00
2000, Red-tailed Hawk .................. PROOF    $25.00
2000, Bald Eagle ....................... PROOF    $25.00




2001, Prince Edward Island ............. PROOF    $20.00
2001, Nunavut .......................... PROOF    $20.00




2002, British Columbia ................. PROOF    $20.00
2002, New Brunswick .................... PROOF    $20.00