Are Canadian Dimes Silver?
A year-by-year breakdown of silver content, how to identify silver dimes, and what they are worth.
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Canadian dimes minted in 1967 or earlier contain 80% silver and are worth more than face value. 1968 is a transition year — the Royal Canadian Mint struck both silver and nickel dimes that year, and the two versions look nearly identical. Dimes dated 1969 or later contain no silver. If you have old Canadian dimes and want to know what they are worth, upload photos for a free estimate.
The Quick Answer
Use this table to identify whether your Canadian dime contains silver at a glance.
| Years | Composition | Silver content | Contains silver? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1858–1919 | 92.5% silver (sterling) | 0.069 troy oz | Yes |
| 1920–1967 | 80% silver | 0.0600 troy oz | Yes |
| 1968 | 80% silver or pure nickel — must test | 0.0600 troy oz (if silver) | Test required |
| 1969–1999 | Pure nickel | None | No |
| 2000–present | Steel with nickel plating | None | No |
Silver Dimes
1967 and earlier (plus some 1968)
- • 80% silver (1920–1967/68)
- • 92.5% silver (pre-1920)
- • 0.0600 troy oz silver (1920–1968 silver)
- • Worth more than face value
- • Reeded (grooved) edge
Non-Silver Dimes
1969 and later (plus some 1968)
- • Pure nickel (1969–1999)
- • Steel core, nickel plated (2000+)
- • No silver content
- • Worth face value only
- • Post-2000 dimes are magnetic
Silver Content by Era
The silver content of Canadian dimes changed twice — once in 1920 and again in 1968. Here is what each era contains.
1858–1919: Sterling silver (92.5%)
The earliest Canadian dimes were struck in sterling silver — the same standard used for British coins of the era. Each coin contains approximately 0.069 troy ounces of silver. These are the oldest Canadian dimes and are generally worth more than their silver content alone due to age and collector interest.
1920–1967: 80% silver
In 1920, Canada reduced the silver content of its dimes from 92.5% to 80%. Each coin weighs 2.33 grams and contains 0.0600 troy ounces of silver. This includes the well-known 1967 centennial dime with its Canada goose design. The value of these coins in silver alone depends on the current silver price — use the live melt value calculator to check the current figure.
1968: Transition year — silver or nickel
The 1968 dime was struck in both 80% silver and pure nickel. The silver version contains the same 0.0600 troy ounces as earlier dimes. The nickel version contains no silver. Both versions look nearly identical — see the identification section below.
1969–present: No silver
From 1969 onward, Canadian dimes contain no silver. Dimes from 1969 to 1999 are pure nickel. From 2000 onward, they are steel with nickel plating. These coins are worth face value only.
How to Identify Silver Dimes
For most Canadian dimes, the date alone tells you everything you need to know. The 1968 dime is the only year that requires a physical test.
1. Check the date first
1967 or earlier → silver. Every Canadian dime dated 1967 or earlier contains silver. No test needed.
1969 or later → no silver. Every Canadian dime dated 1969 or later contains no silver. No test needed.
1968 → test required. See below.
2. Magnet test — useful only for post-2000 dimes
Dimes minted from 2000 onward have a steel core and are magnetic — a magnet will stick to them. These contain no silver.
Do not use the magnet test to identify silver dimes from the 1968–1999 era. Pure nickel (used in dimes from 1969–1999) is not magnetic, so a nickel dime from this period will not stick to a magnet — just like a silver one. The magnet test cannot distinguish between them.
3. Weight test — for 1968 dimes only
The most reliable way to identify a 1968 silver dime is to weigh it on a precise digital scale:
2.33 grams → silver
2.07 grams → nickel (no silver)
A difference of 0.26 grams is detectable on any jewellery or postal scale accurate to 0.01g.
The 1968 dime: Canada's transition year
In 1968, the Royal Canadian Mint began switching from silver to nickel. Both compositions were struck that year and entered circulation together. The two versions are visually almost identical — the edge test is not a reliable way to tell them apart. The weight test (2.33g vs. 2.07g) is the standard identification method used by dealers and collectors.
Full identification guide for the 1968 Canadian dime →Have silver dimes? Richard at SellMyCoins.ca buys Canadian silver coins from anywhere in Canada. Upload photos for a free written estimate.
Get a Free EstimateWhat Are Canadian Silver Dimes Worth?
The value of a Canadian silver dime depends on two things: its silver content and whether it has any collector value above that.
Silver melt value
Every Canadian silver dime from 1920 to 1967 (and silver 1968 dimes) contains 0.0600 troy ounces of silver. Its minimum value is that silver content multiplied by the current silver spot price. This figure changes daily with the silver market. Use the live melt value calculator to check the current figure — we do not quote a fixed dollar amount here because it would go out of date.
Collector value
Most circulated common-date Canadian silver dimes trade at or near silver melt value. A small number of dates and varieties carry a collector premium above melt — but the majority of dimes people find in old collections or jars are common dates worth their silver content. Condition matters for collector value: learn how Canadian coins are graded.
Pre-1920 dimes
Sterling silver dimes from 1858 to 1919 contain slightly more silver (0.069 troy oz) and are generally older and scarcer. Many have collector value above melt, particularly in better condition. See the Canadian dime value guide for more detail on specific dates.
Why Did Canada Stop Using Silver in Dimes?
In the 1960s, the rising price of silver made it increasingly expensive to mint silver coins for everyday circulation. By the mid-1960s, the silver content of a dime was approaching its face value — making it economically impractical to keep using silver. Canada phased silver out of its circulation coins between 1968 and 1969, switching to cheaper nickel. The same shift happened in the United States in 1965 and in most other countries around the same period.
This is why pre-1968 Canadian dimes are worth more than face value today — they contain real silver that the market values independently of the coin's denomination.
Related Guides
Canadian Dime Value Guide
All years, key dates, and what your dimes are worth
1968 Canadian Dime: Silver or Nickel?
Full identification guide for the transition-year dime
1967 Centennial Dime Value
The last universally silver Canadian dime
Which Canadian Coins Are Silver?
Complete guide to all silver Canadian coins by denomination
Live Silver Melt Value Calculator
Check the current melt value of your silver dimes
Are Canadian Quarters Silver?
Year-by-year guide to silver quarters
Find Out What Your Silver Dimes Are Worth
Richard at SellMyCoins.ca reviews every submission personally. Upload photos of your dimes — or your whole collection — and get a free written purchase estimate with no obligation to sell.
Upload Coin PhotosCanadian dimes from 1967 and earlier contain 80% silver. The 1968 dime was made in both silver and nickel — use the weight test to tell them apart. This guide explains which years are silver, how to identify them, and what they are worth.
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.