Is Your 1968 Canadian Dime Silver or Nickel? Here's How to Tell
Canada made two completely different dimes in 1968 — one worth $2–4, one worth 10 cents. The difference is visible in seconds if you know where to look.
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Some 1968 Canadian dimes are 50% silver and worth $2–4 each — others are pure nickel and worth only 10 cents. The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at the edge of the coin: a silver dime has a uniform silver-coloured edge, while a nickel dime shows a copper stripe running through the middle. Canada made both versions in 1968 because the Royal Canadian Mint was switching away from silver that year and used up leftover silver blanks from 1967 alongside the new nickel blanks. This guide walks you through four simple tests you can do at home — no special tools required. If you are still unsure, upload photos for a free estimate.
1968 Canadian dimes come in two versions:
Silver Version
50% silver, 50% copper
Weight: 2.33 g · Silver: 0.0375 troy oz
Worth $2–4+
Nickel Version
99.9% nickel — no silver
Weight: 2.07 g · Silver: none
Worth 10 cents
Fastest test: Hold the coin on its edge and look at the side. A silver dime is uniform silver all the way through. A nickel dime has a visible copper-coloured stripe running through the middle.
Why Canada Made Two Different 1968 Dimes
The Switch from Silver to Nickel
Canadian dimes dated 1967 and earlier contain 80% silver. By the mid-1960s, rising silver prices made it too expensive to keep using silver in everyday coins — the metal in the coin was worth more than the coin itself. The Royal Canadian Mint decided to switch to pure nickel starting in 1968. You can read more about which years apply on the are Canadian dimes silver page.
What Are Silver Planchets?
A planchet is the blank metal disc that gets stamped into a coin. When the Mint switched to nickel in 1968, they still had a supply of silver planchets left over from 1967. Rather than waste them, they struck coins on those silver blanks alongside the new nickel blanks — both dated 1968. The result: two coins that look identical from the front and back but are completely different in composition and value. The 1967 Canadian dime is the last year where all dimes were silver.
Silver vs. Nickel 1968 Dime — Side-by-Side Comparison
Struck on leftover silver planchets from 1967. Less common than the nickel version and worth significantly more.
- Composition: 50% silver, 50% copper
- Weight: 2.33 grams
- Pure silver content: 0.0375 troy oz
- Edge appearance: Uniform silver — no copper stripe
- Magnetic: No
- Value: $2–4 circulated; $8–15 uncirculated
The majority of 1968 dimes. No silver content. Worth face value only unless in exceptional uncirculated condition.
- Composition: 99.9% nickel
- Weight: 2.07 grams
- Pure silver content: None
- Edge appearance: Copper stripe visible through the middle
- Magnetic: Weakly, with a strong magnet
- Value: 10 cents (face value)
How to Tell If Your 1968 Dime Is Silver (4 Tests)
Both versions look identical from the front and back — same design, same date, same size. You need to check the edge or use one of the tests below. Start with the edge test; it takes about five seconds and requires nothing but your eyes.
Test 1: The Edge Test (Easiest — No Tools Needed)
Hold the coin between your fingers and look at the thin edge from the side.
Silver dime: The edge is a uniform silver colour all the way through. No other colours are visible.
Nickel dime: A distinct copper-coloured stripe runs through the middle of the edge. This is because the nickel dime has a copper core sandwiched between two nickel layers.
If you see any copper colour at all, it is a nickel dime. If the edge is all silver-coloured, you likely have a silver dime — confirm with the weight test if you want to be certain.
Test 2: The Weight Test
Use a digital scale that measures to 0.01 grams (a small kitchen or jewellery scale works):
- Silver dime: 2.33 grams
- Nickel dime: 2.07 grams
The silver version is heavier. This is a reliable second confirmation if the edge is hard to see clearly. For more on how silver content affects value, see the silver coin melt value guide.
Test 3: The Magnet Test
Hold a strong magnet near the coin:
- Silver dime: Not magnetic — will not be attracted to the magnet at all
- Nickel dime: Weakly magnetic — will show a slight pull toward a strong magnet
A refrigerator magnet may not be strong enough. Use a neodymium (rare earth) magnet for a clear result. This test works well when checking a large number of coins quickly.
Test 4: The Sound Test
Drop the coin onto a hard surface and listen:
- Silver dime: A higher-pitched ring that sustains for a moment
- Nickel dime: A duller, shorter clink
This takes practice and is the least reliable of the four tests. Use it as a rough first pass when sorting through a large jar of coins, then confirm with the edge or weight test.
Quick Identification Summary
Silver (Valuable)
- Edge: uniform silver, no copper stripe
- Weight: 2.33 grams
- Magnet: not attracted
- Sound: higher ring
Nickel (Face Value)
- Edge: copper stripe visible
- Weight: 2.07 grams
- Magnet: slight attraction
- Sound: dull clink
Not sure if your 1968 dimes are silver?
Upload a clear photo of the edge of your coin — we'll identify it for free and let you know what it's worth. No obligation to sell. Most submissions reviewed within 24–48 hours.
Upload Photos for a Free EstimateWhat Is a 1968 Silver Dime Worth?
Value by Condition
The value of a silver 1968 Canadian dime depends on its condition and the current price of silver. Even a heavily worn example is worth 20–30 times its face value.
Values based on current silver prices and typical collector demand. Prices vary with the silver market.
How Silver Price Affects Value
Each silver 1968 dime contains 0.0375 troy ounces of pure silver. When silver prices rise, so does the melt value of the coin. The values above reflect typical market conditions — if silver is trading higher, your coin may be worth more. See the Canadian silver coin melt value calculator for current figures. For a broader look at silver dimes, the Canadian dime value guide covers all years.
What Year Did Canada Stop Making Silver Dimes?
1968 was the last year Canada produced silver dimes for general circulation. Here is a quick breakdown by era:
For a complete breakdown of all Canadian dimes by year, visit the are Canadian dimes silver guide. If you want to know which other Canadian coins contain silver, the Canadian silver coins guide covers quarters, dollars, and more.
Other Canadian Dimes That Are Silver
If you are going through old Canadian coins, any dime dated 1967 or earlier is silver. The 1967 dime is particularly interesting — like 1968, it was a transition year with two compositions. Here are the key years to look for:
- 1967 Canadian dime — 80% silver (some are 50% silver; same edge test applies)
- 1920–1966 dimes — all 80% silver
- Pre-1920 dimes — 92.5% silver, often more valuable to collectors
- 1968 dimes — check the edge; only some are silver
- 1969 and later — no silver content
If you have a collection with multiple years, the sell Canadian silver coins page explains how the buying process works and what to expect for a mixed lot.
Why Silver 1968 Dimes Are Worth Finding
Real Silver Value
Even though 1968 silver dimes contain only 50% silver (compared to 80% in earlier years), they still have real metal value. At current silver prices, each one is worth $2–4 — that is 20 to 40 times face value for a coin that looks like an ordinary dime.
Commonly Overlooked
Most people do not know that some 1968 dimes are silver. This means they turn up in old coin jars, inherited collections, and estate sales all the time — often mixed in with regular change. A few minutes checking the edges of a jar of old dimes can be surprisingly rewarding.
Historical Significance
The 1968 silver dime marks the end of silver in Canadian circulation coinage — a change that has never been reversed. Collectors value transition-year coins for exactly this reason. If you have an inherited collection, the guide to selling an inherited coin collection is a good starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell if my 1968 Canadian dime is silver?
Look at the edge of the coin. A silver 1968 dime has a uniform silver-coloured edge with no other colours visible. A nickel dime shows a copper-coloured stripe running through the middle of the edge. This is the fastest and most reliable test — no tools required.
Are all 1968 Canadian dimes silver?
No. Canada made two different versions of the 1968 dime. Some were struck on leftover silver planchets from 1967 and contain 50% silver. Most were struck on the new nickel composition and contain no silver at all. You must check the edge to know which type you have.
What is the silver content of a 1968 Canadian dime?
The silver version contains 50% silver and 50% copper, weighs 2.33 grams, and holds approximately 0.0375 troy ounces of pure silver. This is less than the 80% silver in dimes made before 1967, but still gives the coin real metal value.
How much is a 1968 Canadian silver dime worth?
A circulated 1968 silver dime is typically worth $2–4 based on its silver content. Lightly circulated examples can fetch $4–6, and uncirculated specimens may be worth $8–15. The nickel version is worth only 10 cents.
What year did Canada stop making silver dimes?
1968 was the last year Canada produced silver dimes for circulation. Dimes dated 1967 and earlier contain 80% silver. Some 1968 dimes contain 50% silver, but most 1968 dimes and all dimes from 1969 onward are nickel with no silver content.
Why did Canada make both silver and nickel dimes in 1968?
Rising silver prices made it too expensive to keep using silver in everyday coins. The Royal Canadian Mint switched to nickel in 1968 but used up remaining silver planchets from 1967 before fully transitioning. This created two coins with the same 1968 date but different compositions.
Can I still find silver 1968 dimes in circulation?
It is extremely rare. Most silver 1968 dimes were pulled from circulation by collectors and silver buyers decades ago. Your best chance of finding one is in old coin jars, inherited collections, or estate sales — not in everyday change.
How heavy is a 1968 silver dime compared to a nickel dime?
The silver 1968 dime weighs 2.33 grams. The nickel version weighs 2.07 grams. The difference is small but measurable on a precise digital scale. The edge test is easier and does not require any equipment.
Is a 1968 dime with no copper stripe always silver?
A uniform silver-coloured edge with no copper stripe is a strong indicator the coin is silver. Confirm with the weight test (2.33 g for silver vs. 2.07 g for nickel) if you want to be certain, or send photos for a free estimate.
Where can I sell my 1968 silver Canadian dimes?
SellMyCoins.ca buys 1968 silver dimes and other Canadian silver coins from anywhere in Canada. Upload photos for a free estimate. If you accept the offer, a prepaid Canada Post shipping label is provided at no cost. Payment is by Interac e-Transfer.
Have 1968 Dimes? Find Out What They're Worth — Free
Not sure if your 1968 dimes are silver or nickel? Upload clear photos — including a shot of the edge — and we'll identify them for free. If you decide to sell, we'll make a fair offer based on current silver prices and arrange Canada Post shipping so you can sell from anywhere in Canada. No obligation to sell.
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Related Guides
Are Canadian Dimes Silver?
Which years contain silver and which don't — a complete year-by-year breakdown
1967 Canadian Dime Value
The last confirmed silver dime year — also has two versions worth knowing about
Canadian Dime Value Guide
Values for all Canadian dimes from 1858 to present
Silver Coin Melt Value — Canada
How to calculate what your silver coins are worth based on current silver prices
Which Canadian Coins Are Silver?
Complete guide to identifying silver Canadian coins across all denominations
Sell Canadian Silver Coins
How the selling process works and what to expect for a mixed silver coin lot
Some 1968 Canadian dimes are 50% silver and worth $2–4 each. Others are pure nickel and worth only 10 cents. Check the edge of the coin — a silver dime has a uniform silver edge, while a nickel dime shows a copper stripe. Upload photos for a free estimate.
How Coin Values Are Determined
Four key factors influence what a coin is worth. Understanding these helps you know what to look for.
Rarity
Coins with low mintage numbers or surviving in small quantities are worth more. A coin minted in the millions is common; one minted in the thousands can be scarce.
Condition
Collectors grade coins from Poor (heavily worn) to Mint State (uncirculated). A coin in excellent condition can be worth many times more than the same coin in worn condition.
Silver or Gold Content
Many older Canadian coins contain 80% silver. Even a common silver coin has a base value tied to the current silver price, regardless of collector demand.
Collector Demand
Some coins are actively sought by collectors, which drives prices higher. Key dates, varieties, and coins from popular series attract more buyers.