Latest news and updates on Canadian numismatic - Coins, banknotes, tokens
July 16, 2025
Bank of Canada values and prices of 1979 banknotes
In 1979, the $5 and $20 notes were reissued with the serial numbers moved to the back of the notes. A small change was also made to the guilloche pattern at the centre top of the face to make the numeral more distinct.
July 15, 2025
25 cents 1870 to 1901 - Price guide and values
With the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867, the central government assumed responsibility for money and banking, as mandated under section 91 of the British North America Act, and it undertook to standardize the fledgling country's currency. Ottawa issued the first 25 cents coins in 1870.
July 13, 2025
20 cents 1858 to 1871 - Price guide and values
The choice of the twenty-cent coin proved to be unfortunate in that people had difficulty in quickly distinguishing between the twenty-cent piece and the U.S. twenty-five cent piece, which was widely circulated in Canada at that time.
July 12, 2025
Thistle - Nova Scotia Tokens - Identification Guide
The multiple varieties of the Thistle Nova Scotia Tokens might be hard to identify or remember especially for new collectors. This step-by-step Identification Guide will assist you through the major varieties of this popular token and will help to associate your token with the right variety.
July 11, 2025
Bank of Canada values and prices of 1969 to 1975 banknotes
Because of a growing concern over counterfeiting, the Bank of Canada began to release a new series of bank notes in 1969. The main characteristic of the new design was the use multicoloured tints beneath the dominant colour.
July 9, 2025
10 cents 1990 to 2025 - Price guide and values
Since 1937, the design on the reverse is the Bluenose, a fishing and racing gaff rig schooner built in 1921 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. It is also portrayed on the Bluenose postage stamp 50-cent issued by the Canadian government on January 6, 1929. The owners of the Bluenose were honoured in 1935 by having their schooner present when King George V reviewed the British Fleet at Spithead.
July 8, 2025
Merchants Bank of Prince Edward Island - Banknotes
Chartered in 1871, the Merchants Bank of Prince Edward Island was acquired by the Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1906.
July 7, 2025
Dominion of Canada 1923 to 1925 banknotes price guide and values
The 1923 25-cents banknote was issued to replace the issue of 1900. Only the design on front was modified. $500 and $1000 1925 banknotes of Dominion of Canada was issued to replace the 1911 banknotes.
July 6, 2025
10 cents 1965 to 1989 - Price guide and values
The composition of the 10 cents piece changed in 1967-1968 for production cost issues. The silver was replaced by nickel.
July 5, 2025
Bank of Canada values and prices of 1967 banknotes
In honour of the 100th anniversary of Confederation, a modified version of the 1954 $1 note was issued, bearing the date 1967. The centennial logo was added to the front of the note and a view of Canada's original Parliament Buildings, destroyed by fire in 1916, was substituted for the prairie landscape that appeared on the original 1954 $1 note.
July 3, 2025
10 cents 1937 to 1964 - Price guide and values
In 1937, the design on the reverse changed for the Bluenose, a fishing and racing gaff rig schooner built in 1921 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. It is also portrayed on the Bluenose postage stamp 50-cent issued by the Canadian government on January 6, 1929. The owners of the Bluenose were honoured in 1935 by having their schooner present when King George V reviewed the British Fleet at Spithead.
July 2, 2025
2 dollars 2017 - Battle of Vimy Ridge
Designed by Canadian artist Tony Bianco, the reverse of this commemorative circulation coin depicts the Vimy Memorial, flanked by a First World War soldier and a contemporary veteran. Appearing beneath the image of the Memorial, the word Vimy is engraved between the soldier and veteran. The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth, designed by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt in 2003.
June 30, 2025
Bank of Canada values and prices of 1954 modified portrait banknotes
With the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne in 1952, the Bank began planning the third series of Bank of Canada notes. Although the colours and bilingual text were retained, significant changes to the design gave the new series a distinctly modern look.
June 30, 2025
10 cents 1902 to 1936 - Price guide and values
On reverse, the St. Edward's crown was replaced by the Imperial State crown. Edward VII is on the obverse from 1902 to 1910. From 1911 to 1936, George V, bust facing left, appears on the 10 cents coin.
June 29, 2025
Gold Sovereigns 1908 to 1919 - Price guide and values
Because the Ottawa Mint was a branch of the Royal Mint in 1908, it was part of the duty to produce Gold Sovereign for London. The mintmark C above the date stands for Canada.
June 27, 2025
Farmers Bank of Canada - Banknotes
Based in Toronto, the Farmers Bank of Canada was only active from 1906 to 1910.
June 26, 2025
10 cents 1858 to 1901 - Price guide and values
The same reverse as the Dominion of Canada 1858 coin was used on all Province of Canada 10 cents coins. Six obverses were used between 1858 to 1901.
June 25, 2025
Bank of Canada values and prices of 1954 with the devil's face banknotes
This series caused controversy because highlighted areas of the Queen's hair gave the illusion of a grinning demon behind the ear. The term "Devil's Head" is commonly used to describe these bank notes. The Bank of Canada had both bank note companies modify the face plates by darkening the highlights in the hair. These modifications were made in 1956 for all denominations.
June 23, 2025
5 cents 1990 to 2025 - Price guide and values
The beaver, which we find on our 5 cent coins, is a symbol previously belonging to the Amerindians. During colonization, this animal was used, among other things, for barter and treaties; the beaver fur trade was the first important economic step of the settlers.
June 21, 2025
2 dollars 2016 - Battle of the Atlantic
The reverse image of this circulation coin features the artwork of Canadian maritime artist Yves Bérubé. It depicts the many crucial actors in Canada's victory in the Battle of the Atlantic: an anti-aircraft gunman positioned on the deck of a Corvette; an Allied aircraft hunting enemy submarines; as well as a merchant ship whose vital cargo is protected by a nearby navy vessel on convoy duty.
June 20, 2025
5 cents 1965 to 1989 - Price guide and values
The composition of the 5 cents piece changed in 1982 for production cost issues. The nickel was replaced by cupro-nickel.
June 19, 2025
1 cent 1865 to 1947 Newfoundland
Starting in 1865, the Newfoundland cent reverse design is a royal crown, wreath of pitcher plant and oak. In 1904, the Imperial State crown was replaced with the St. Edward's crown. Finally, in 1938, the coin was reduced is size to decrease production cost and the reverse was replaced with the pitcher plant in bloom, the provincial official flower.
June 17, 2025
Bank of Canada values and prices of 1937 banknotes
The creation of a second series of bank notes, only two years after the first, was prompted by changes in federal legislation that required the Bank of Canada to produce bilingual bank notes. In the 1937 series, the portrait of King George VI replaced those of other members of the royal family on all denominations except the $100 and $1,000 notes, which featured former Canadian prime ministers.
June 16, 2025
5 cents 1937 to 1964 - Price guide and values
In 1937, G.E. Kruger Gray designed the beaver, which we find today on our 5 cent coins, thus taking up a symbol previously belonging to the Amerindians. During colonization, this animal was used, among other things, for barter and treaties; the beaver fur trade was the first important economic step of the settlers.
June 15, 2025
Bank of Canada values and prices of 1935 banknotes
The 1935 series consisted of ten denominations, all but one of which began to circulate on 11 March 1935, the day the Bank of Canada opened for business. The exception was the $25 note, which was issued two months later to commemorate the silver jubilee of King George V. The 1935 series was the last to include $25 and $500 bank notes.
