1938 Canadian Quarter

Recently, the numismatics department uncovered a small trove of pre-1960 Canadian quarters. Out of dozens of specimens this coin was the oldest found in the trove, and is dated 1938. As such, the obverse side of the coin is graced with a portrait of King George VI, and the reverse side of the coin the iconic Caribou. The numismatics department estimates the coin is in (VG-8) Very Good condition, i.e. very worn, but with all major design elements clear, if faint.

The beauty of the Canadian 25-cent piece from this era, aside from the visual aesthetics, is the fact that they are composed of 80% silver. Since the weight of a quarter is 5.83 grams, 80% of that is 4.66 grams of pure silver. And, with a gram of silver at $1.04 CDN, the quarter, with its face value of only 25 cents, is worth $4.85 CDN in silver content alone. Added to that is the vintage of the coin, which, at 74 years of age and in this condition, adds at least 50% to its value.

Commemorative Polar Bear Coin

This coin, produced by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2012, is composed of 7.96 grams of 99.99% pure silver. Production of the coin has been limited to 250,000 worldwide, and is unusual in that the face value of the coin exceeds the current value of the precious metal that comprises the coin. Regardless of numismatic concerns, the image of the polar bear by artist Susanna Blunt is stunning, as is the striking of the coin itself.

The Royal Canadian Mint is a Canadian Crown Corporation that produces all of Canada's circulation coins, and manufactures circulation coins on behalf of other nations. The Mint operates under the legislative basis of the Royal Canadian Mint Act. As a Crown Corporation, it is 100% owned by the Government of Canada, which is its sole shareholder.