The Canadian dollars are highly collectible, and can be a nice addition to any coin collection. They can offer an inexpensive alternative to the more expensive, in general, United States silver dollars. The main reason is the silver content for the Voyager Dollar, the large silver dollar coin, is 0.600 ounce, less than the content of silver in a Morgan or Peace dollar. The oldest dollar coins bear the date of 1935, a relatively new date when compared to U. S. silver dollars, and the image on every Canadian dollar is pleasing to look upon, a plus for collectible coin.
The Voyager Dollar
The Voyager Dollar was issued with a silver content from 1935 through 1972. It features two men paddling a canoe. This is a popular coin for collectors. Some issues include proof as well as business strikes.
The nickel version of the Voyager Dollar was struck from 1978 through 1987, and included both business strikes and proof strikes.
As is the custom with Canadian coinage, the effigy of the reigning monarch of Brittan is placed on the obverse of each coin. This coin has had a run that included part or all of the reigns of four monarchs, three of whom are prominently displayed on the dollar coin. The three are King George V, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II. King Edward VIII did not make it to the Canadian dollar coin, since he abdicated in less than a year.
The Loon
In 1967, the loon first appeared on a silver dollar with a double date 1867 – 1967 for the Confederation Centennial. This was the 100 year anniversary of three Canadian provinces coming together, having one split, and emerging as four provinces united.
The loon has been the subject of the Canadian dollar since 1987, and has undergone several modifications since it first came to be. It is an eleven-sided coin, and features a swimming loon on the reverse.
In 1997, a Sterling Silver version of the loonie dollar, featuring a loon in flight, was issued to commemorate the ten year anniversary of the loon.
In 2004 and 2005 two additional Sterling silver loonie dollars were issued. The 2004 issue added the Olympic rings and flame, and the Canadian maple leaf to the reverse. In 2005 the Lullabies Loonie was issued.
Commemorative Dollars
Canada has honored the Canadian Provinces with special commemorative dollars, as occasions dictated. In addition, many events of significance, including sports, discoveries, and anniversaries, as well as other significant images, have been commemorated on Canadian Dollars, the earliest bearing the date 1939. Various metal content has been used, but often some silver was included. The Mounties, trains, ships, and animals are popular images that have been used.
It is not necessary to include commemorative dollars in your initial collection, but you may soon want to add them to your collecting desires, and search for them.
One problem with starting with commemorative coins is there are so many of them and they do not show up in change. You have to look for them, and pay a premium. You will not get a commemorative coin for one dollar, and the more silver it has the more you might pay. Metal content is not the only thing that determines price, but it is a significant one at this time.
Gold
The Louis Dollar is physically the smallest of the Canadian Dollar coins, and weighs just 1.500 grams, but can be the most expensive Canadian Dollar. The Louis Dollar is 0.0482 oz of actual gold, with a purity of 0.9990. The Louis Dollar was minted only in the three years 2006, 2007, and 2008, with very low mintages. The 2008 Louis Dollar had only 125 proof coins issued, and no business strikes were minted that year. As Canadian Dollars go, the Louis Dollar is a great prize, and to have one from any year in your collection is quite an accomplishment.
Today, the Royal Canadian Mint produces coins with a 0.9999 purity.
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