6 denominations on record · Elizabeth II on the obverse
Canadian coins dated 1954
4 of the 6 denominations struck in 1954 contain silver: 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, 1 dollar. The rest are base metal.
Silver value, Canadian dollars
1.1091 troy ounces at US$63.77 per ounce, converted at 1.3917 (Bank of Canada, 2026-09-15). At last page build
One of each silver denomination dated 1954: 4 coins, 1.85 dollars of face value, 1.1091 troy ounces of silver.
Every denomination dated 1954
| Coin | Composition in 1954 | Weight | Silver | Mintage | Magnet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cent penny | 98% copper, 0.5% tin, 1.5% zinc | 3.24 g | none | 22,181,760 | not attracted |
| 5 cents nickel | chrome plated steel | 4.54 g | none | 6,998,662 | attracted |
| 10 cents dime | 80% silver, 20% copper | 2.33 g | 0.0599 ozt | 4,493,150 | not attracted |
| 25 cents quarter | 80% silver, 20% copper | 5.83 g | 0.1500 ozt | 2,318,891 | not attracted |
| 50 cents half dollar | 80% silver, 20% copper | 11.66 g | 0.2999 ozt | 506,305 | not attracted |
| 1 dollar | 80% silver, 20% copper | 23.3 g | 0.5993 ozt | 246,606 | not attracted |
If you have a handful of them
The richest silver standard for each denomination dated 1954, 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
The maple leaf twig (round coin)
In 1937, as part of an effort to modernize Canada's coins, G.E. Kruger-Gray created the maple leaf twig design. His initials appear on the right.
5 cents
The beaver design was created in 1937 by G.E. Kruger-Gray as part of a coin modernization effort.
5 cents
5-cent coins were made of nickel from 1921 to 1942. However, nickel's importance in the production of war materials demanded the development of another metal for coinage. Tombac, a kind of brass, was chosen as the replacement and was used until 1946. The 5-cent coin featured 12 sides to distinguish it from the 1-cent coin.
25 cents
Emanuel Hahn's caribou design was adopted in 1937 in an effort to modernize Canada's circulation coins.
50 cents
A simplified version of Canada's Coat of Arms was created in 1937 for the 50-cent coin as part of an initiative to modernize Canada's circulation coins.
1 dollar
This design by Emanuel Hahn features a voyageur and his Indigenous guide travelling by canoe. The illustration has been modified only slightly over the years. | |
Whose portrait is on it
A Canadian coin dated 1954 carries the effigy of Elizabeth II, used from 1953 to 1964.
The effigy of Queen Elizabeth II first appeared on Canadian coins in 1953 when she was 27 years old. The effigy pictured here was used until 1964, with the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA, meaning “Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, the Queen. ”
What 1954 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.