5 denominations on record · George V on the obverse
Canadian coins dated 1917
4 of the 5 denominations struck in 1917 contain silver: 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents. The rest are base metal.
Silver value, Canadian dollars
0.6230 troy ounces at US$64.70 per ounce, converted at 1.3917 (Bank of Canada, 2026-09-15). At last page build
One of each silver denomination dated 1917: 4 coins, 0.90 dollars of face value, 0.6230 troy ounces of silver.
Every denomination dated 1917
| Coin | Composition in 1917 | Weight | Silver | Mintage | Magnet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cent penny | 95.5% copper, 3% tin, 1.5% zinc | 5.67 g | none | 11,899,254 | not attracted |
| 5 cents nickel | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 1.167 g | 0.0347 ozt | 5,521,373 | not attracted |
| 10 cents dime | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 2.33 g | 0.0693 ozt | 5,011,988 | not attracted |
| 25 cents quarter | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 5.83 g | 0.1734 ozt | 3,365,644 | not attracted |
| 50 cents half dollar | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | 11.62 g | 0.3456 ozt | 752,213 | not attracted |
If you have a handful of them
The richest silver standard for each denomination dated 1917, 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 1917 carries the effigy of George V, used from 1911 to 1936.
George V was the great-grandfather of His Majesty King Charles III and appeared with the Latin inscription GEORGIVS V DEI GRA:REX ET IND:IMP, which means “George V, by the grace of God, the King and Emperor of India.” For part of 1911, coins did not include the DEI GRA part of the inscription and became known as the “Godless” coins.
What 1917 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.