5 denominations on record · Edward VII on the obverse
Canadian coins dated 1908
4 of the 5 denominations struck in 1908 contain silver: 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents. The rest are base metal.
Silver value, Canadian dollars
0.6221 troy ounces at US$64.85 per ounce, converted at 1.3917 (Bank of Canada, 2026-09-15). At last page build
One of each silver denomination dated 1908: 4 coins, 0.90 dollars of face value, 0.6221 troy ounces of silver.
Every denomination dated 1908
| Coin | Composition in 1908 | Weight | Silver | Mintage | Magnet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cent penny | 95.5% copper, 3% tin, 1.5% zinc | 5.67 g | none | 2,401,506 | not attracted |
| 5 cents nickel | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 1.167 g | 0.0347 ozt | 1,197,780 | not attracted |
| 10 cents dime | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 2.32 g | 0.0690 ozt | 776,666 | not attracted |
| 25 cents quarter | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 5.81 g | 0.1728 ozt | 495,016 | not attracted |
| 50 cents half dollar | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 11.62 g | 0.3456 ozt | 128,119 | not attracted |
If you have a handful of them
The richest silver standard for each denomination dated 1908, and what a dollar of face value in each holds. Face value is how the bullion trade actually prices bags of circulated Canadian silver.
What was on the coins
1 cent
This 1-cent coin features the design of L.C. Wyon of the Royal Mint. It portrays maple leaves wrapped around a vine. W.H.J. Blackmore designed this reverse of the 1-cent coin. The representation of maple leaves wrapped around a vine was kept.
5 cents
The two crossed maple boughs appeared on all 5-cent coins from 1858 to 1921. These coins were nicknamed "fish scales" for their tiny size; their diameter is only 15.5 mm - smaller than the current dime!
10 cents
The design of two crossed maple boughs appear on all 10-cent, 25-cent, and 50-cent coins from 1858 to 1936.
25 cents
The 25-cent coin was first issued in 1870. The coin used the same design of two crossed maple boughs that appeared on the 10-cent coins and 50-cent coins from 1858 to 1936.
50 cents
The design of two crossed maple boughs appears on all 10-cent, 25-cent, and 50-cent coins from 1858 to 1936.
Whose portrait is on it
A Canadian coin dated 1908 carries the effigy of Edward VII, used from 1902 to 1910.
Edward VII was His Majesty King Charles III’s great-great-grandfather. The Latin inscription appearing around him reads EDWARDVS VII DEI GRATIA REX IMPERATOR (or D:G REX IMPERATOR, depending on the denomination), both of which mean “Edward VII, by the grace of God, the King and Emperor. ”
What 1908 coins sell for
Completed sales rather than a catalogue value, because we do not publish catalogue values.
Completed sales, newest first, so you are looking at what buyers paid rather than what sellers are asking. Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, and it changes nothing on this page.