Canada's early coinage followed the British Sterling standard (92.5%) until 1919. In 1920, the purity was reduced to 80%, establishing the classic standard that held strong for nearly five decades. Canadian 80% silver became one of the most trusted and recognizable forms of fractional bullion in North America.
The years 1967 and 1968 are infamous among stackers. Due to rising silver prices, 1967 saw a mix of 80% and 50% silver coins (often blended as 65% for bulk face-value calculations), while 1968 marked the final chaotic transition from 50% silver to pure nickel coinage.
| Coin Type | Purity | Years | ASW (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Dollar | 80.0% | 1935-1967 | 0.6000 |
| 1 Dollar (Commemorative) | 80.0% | 1935-1967 | 0.6000 |
| 1 Dollar (Goose) | 80.0% | 1967 | 0.6000 |
| 50 Cents | 92.5% | 1870-1919 | 0.3469 |
| 50 Cents | 80.0% | 1920-1966 | 0.3000 |
| 50 Cents (Wolf) | 80.0% | 1967 | 0.3000 |
| 25 Cents | 92.5% | 1870-1919 | 0.1734 |
| 25 Cents | 80.0% | 1920-1967 | 0.1500 |
| 25 Cents (Centennial) | 80.0% | 1967 | 0.1500 |
| 25 Cents (Mixed) | 65.0% | 1967 | 0.1500 |
| 25 Cents (Bobcat) | 50.0% | 1967 | 0.0937 |
| 25 Cents (Caribou) | 50.0% | 1968 | 0.0937 |
| 20 Cents | 92.5% | 1858 | 0.1387 |
| 10 Cents | 92.5% | 1858-1919 | 0.0694 |
| 10 Cents | 80.0% | 1920-1967 | 0.0600 |
| 10 Cents (Centennial) | 80.0% | 1967 | 0.0600 |
| 10 Cents (Mixed) | 65.0% | 1967 | 0.0488 |
| 10 Cents (Mackerel) | 50.0% | 1967 | 0.0375 |
| 10 Cents (Bluenose) | 50.0% | 1968 | 0.0375 |
| 5 Cents (Fishscale) | 92.5% | 1858-1921 | 0.0347 |
| New Brunswick - 20 Cents (Silver) | 92.5% | 1862-1864 | 0.1387 |
| New Brunswick - 10 Cents (Silver) | 92.5% | 1862-1864 | 0.0694 |
| New Brunswick - 5 Cents (Silver) | 92.5% | 1862-1864 | 0.0347 |
| Newfoundland - 50 Cents | 92.5% | 1870-1919 | 0.3469 |
| Newfoundland - 25 Cents | 92.5% | 1917-1919 | 0.1734 |
| Newfoundland - 20 Cents | 92.5% | 1865-1912 | 0.1387 |
| Newfoundland - 10 Cents | 92.5% | 1865-1944 | 0.0694 |
| Newfoundland - 10 Cents | 80.0% | 1945-1946 | 0.0600 |
| Newfoundland - 5 Cents | 92.5% | 1865-1944 | 0.0347 |
| Newfoundland - 5 Cents | 80.0% | 1945-1946 | 0.0300 |
| Nova Scotia - 10 Cents (Silver) | 92.5% | 1861-1864 | 0.0694 |
| Nova Scotia - 5 Cents (Silver) | 92.5% | 1861-1864 | 0.0347 |
