Canadian 1967 dime and quarter question

ormandh

Can anyone tell me how I can figure out the silver content of these? How do you tell whether they are the 50% or the 80% silver content? They both weigh the same!?!! Anyone with pointers let me know please. Thanks. -Dan

1960NYGiants

According to Charlton both are visually exactly the same and have the same weight.

ksteelheader

I was given this info on this forum a while back. Hope it helps!

1965, 66, 67 Canadian

Dollar 36.06mm, 23.3gm, .800 silver, .200 copper
Half 29.72mm, 11.66gm, .800 silver, .200 copper
25c 23.88, 5.83gm, .800 silver, .200 copper
10c 18.034mm, 2.33gm, .800 silver, .200 copper
5c 21.21mm, 4.54gm, .999 nickel
1c 19.05mm, 3.24gm, .980 copper, .005 tin, .015 zinc

Note: some 1967 25c + 10c are .500 silver, .500 copper

ormandh

I still am trying to figure this one out!! -Dan

Scioto

I cringe when I think about doing this but would a "drop test" give any indication? More silver - clearer sound. Less silver - muddled sound. ?

shirohniichan

If they ever do come up with an accurate test, I can imagine TPG's adding ".500 SILVER" and ".800 SILVER" to the coin descriptions to expand their registries.

paperchaser

Of course, the more accurate way would be to perform a specific gravity test; maybe there's a university with the equipment and you
could ask someone. Well, maybe the Mint would test for you as a service to their customers.
On another tangent, as Bob Willey once said to me, " ... what the eye cannot see the ear can hear ..."; a 'drop test' might work but
I would suggest some very modern up-to-date, state of the art recording equipment in a recording studio where all outside noise
would be tuned out. Then drop one coin at a time, record the sound, then run the sound recording through an frequency monitoring
device. Different wave lengths will show you which has the "deeper" silver sound. Lots of trouble, hey? I suggest the specific
gravity test.

ormandh

These are MS coins!! I do not think that dropping them would be feasible. But, I am not willing to buy this collection without knowing the silver content. What if I pay a premium for the lower content? Or does it really matter? -Dan

paperchaser

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, you forgot to mention these were 'MS' coins; I wouldn't drop them either. Specific gravity test
would definitely tell.

farthing

My understanding is that since there is no way to tell the difference short of specific gravity tests that all are assumed to be 50% silver and are treated as such when priced as bullion.