1871 Canadian 10-Cent (Dime) Value Guide
Find out what your 1871 Canadian dime is worth. Complete price guide by grade for the London (No Mintmark) and Heaton ('H') varieties, the rare 7/7 repunched date, and Specimen strikings. All values in CAD.
The 1871 Canadian dime is a 92.5% Sterling Silver coin with an intrinsic melt value of approximately $7.34 CAD. Most circulated examples trade well above melt — common circulated grades range from $25–$350 CAD depending on variety and grade. Certified Mint State examples are condition rarities worth $890–$3,700+ CAD.
- Found circulated (G-4 to VF-20): London (No Mintmark) — $25–$160 CAD | Heaton ('H') — $35–$215 CAD
- About Uncirculated (AU-50 to AU-55): London — $480–$625 CAD | Heaton — $500–$550 CAD
- Uncirculated (MS-60 to MS-64): London — $890–$3,700+ CAD | Heaton — $1,000–$3,200+ CAD
- Rare 7/7 Repunched Date (1871-H only): VF-20 ~$286 CAD → MS-63 ~$4,740 CAD
- Specimen Strike (SP-65):$7,800 CAD — virtually unobtainable on the open market
Is it silver? Yes — all 1871 Canadian dimes are 92.5% Sterling Silver and non-magnetic. Is it shiny / mirror-like? A well-preserved business strike shows cartwheel luster; true mirror fields with frosted devices indicate the extremely rare Specimen finish. Does your 'H' reverse date look doubled? That may be the valuable 7/7 repunched date variety — see Varieties section. All values in CAD as of February 2026. See full value chart →
The 1871 Canadian 10-cent coin is one of the Dominion's earliest silver issues, struck in Sterling Silver at two separate facilities: the Royal Mint in London (no mintmark) and the private Heaton Mint in Birmingham, England (bearing a small 'H' mintmark on the reverse). Produced just four years after Confederation and concurrent with the Uniform Currency Act that extended Canada's decimal system nationwide, this Victorian dime is a foundational coin for any Dominion-era collection. For complete series context across all years, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.
Note: Error coins exist for Victorian-era Canadian coinage and are outside the scope of this standard value guide. The 1871-H Newfoundland Mule — a die-pairing error — is likewise an error variety and is not described or valued here.
1871 Canadian Dime Composition & Melt Value
Every 1871 Canadian dime was struck in Sterling Silver — the standard alloy of British imperial coinage — composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. This is fundamentally different from modern Canadian dimes (post-1968), which are composed of steel with plating. The 1871 dime is a precious-metal object whose silver content gives it a permanent intrinsic base value.
Melt Value (As of February 7, 2026)
Using a silver spot price of $3.42 CAD per gram:
Formula: 2.32 g × 0.925 (silver purity) × $3.42 CAD/g ≈ $7.34 CAD
This melt value of approximately $7.34 CAD is best understood as a theoretical floor. Even in the lowest collectible grade (AG-3), market prices for the 1871 Canadian dime range between $10.00–$18.00 CAD — already above the metal content alone. At every recognized collector grade above that, numismatic premium completely dominates. This coin does not trade as bullion; its value is driven entirely by historical rarity, condition, and collector demand. The melt value is cited only as a reference point, not a realistic selling price.
Magnetic Properties & Authentication
Sterling Silver is non-magnetic. Apply a magnet to your coin: a genuine 1871 Canadian dime will not be attracted to the magnet whatsoever. If the coin does attract a magnet, it is not Sterling Silver composition and warrants immediate further examination for authenticity. This is a useful first filter but does not replace professional certification by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC.
The coin's specified weight (2.32 g) and diameter (18.034 mm) are secondary authentication tools. A coin significantly lighter or thinner than specification may indicate a counterfeit or heavily damaged planchet. A precise digital scale accurate to 0.01 g can assist with weight verification.
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Cleaning strips original luster and leaves microscopic hairlines visible under magnification. A cleaned 1871 dime is graded 'Details' by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC, typically realizing 40–60% less than a problem-free example of equivalent detail. Never use metal polish, household cleaners, silver dip solutions, or abrasive cloths on this coin.
1871 Canadian Dime Value Chart by Grade & Variety
Left: 1871 London reverse — the area below the ribbon knot is blank. Right: 1871-H Heaton reverse — a small serifed 'H' appears directly below the ribbon knot, above the rim denticles. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
1871 Canadian Dime — Business Strike, London (No Mintmark)
Mintage: 800,000. The London issue has the lower mintage of the two varieties. Circulated examples are available for type collectors; however, examples free of cleaning, whizzing, or heavy contact marks in AU and Mint State grades are exceptional survivors. In MS-63 and above, the London issue generally commands higher values than the Heaton issue owing to its lower original production.
| Variety | G-4 | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | VF-30 | EF-40 | AU-50 | AU-55 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1871 (London — No Mintmark) | $25–$30 | $55–$60 | $85–$90 | $150–$160 | $200–$220 | $290–$320 | $480–$500 | $600–$625 | $890–$950 | $3,200–$3,300 | $3,700+ |
VF-30 pricing references Calgary Coin dealer listings ($200). AU-55 based on a PCGS AU-55 certified example ($625, Calgary Coin). The jump from MS-60 to MS-63 is dramatic — a direct reflection of the extreme difficulty of locating an 1871 London dime free of cleaning or significant contact damage in the current market.
Left to right: G-4 (portrait reduced to flat outline, rim intact), VF-20 (roughly 60–70% of design detail remains, lettering bold), AU-50 (slight wear on highest points only, original luster visible in protected areas). (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
1871-H Canadian Dime — Business Strike, Heaton Mint ('H' Mintmark)
Mintage: 1,870,000. Despite the higher mintage, the 1871-H is a favourite of type collectors drawn to the visible 'H' mintmark — a tangible connection to the Heaton Mint's role in early Canadian coinage. Survival rates in MS-64 and above remain very low, and a recent auction result for an 1871-H MS-65 NGC graded example indicates values can exceed $4,000 CAD depending on eye appeal, per Heritage Auctions archived results.
| Variety | G-4 | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | VF-30 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1871-H (Heaton — H Mintmark) | $35–$40 | $65–$70 | $100–$110 | $200–$215 | $300–$315 | $330–$350 | $500–$550 | $1,000–$1,100 | $2,900–$3,000 | $3,200+ |
Values sourced from the Coins and Canada Victorian Dimes price guide (1858–1901) and Calgary Coin dealer listings. VF-20 includes toned ICCS-certified example pricing ($215, Calgary Coin). VF-30 range ($300–$315) and EF-40 ($339), AU-50 ($500), MS-60 ($1,010), and MS-64 ($3,230) reference Coins and Canada data points.
⚠️ Problem Coins Trade at a Severe Discount
A significant percentage of surviving 1871 dimes have been cleaned, whizzed, or otherwise damaged over 150+ years. Coins graded 'Details' (e.g., 'EF Details — Cleaned') by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC typically realize 40–60% less than a problem-free example at the same detail level. Always purchase certified examples for coins valued above EF-40.
1871 Canadian Dime — Specimen (SP) Striking
Specimen strikings are intentional presentation coins featuring deep mirror-like fields and sharply frosted, matte-textured devices creating a cameo contrast. They were struck with particular care for official presentation or sale to collectors — not for circulation. For the 1871 10-cent piece, Specimen examples are extremely rare with virtually no active secondary market trading.
| Finish | SP-65 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Specimen (SP) | $7,800 CAD | Extremely rare. Virtually no active trading. Data: Coins and Canada. |
⚠️ Caution: US Liberty Seated Dimes in Aggregated Databases
Automated auction price aggregators display results for '1871 Proof Dimes' (e.g., PCGS PR67) that are US Liberty Seated Dimes, not Canadian coins. For example, the PCGS auction price page for '1871 10C PR67' documents a US issue. Always verify country of origin. Genuine Canadian 1871 Specimen strikings are extreme rarities and would command five-figure prices at a major Canadian auction house.
All values in CAD represent typical market prices as of February 2026. For the complete Victorian dime series price guide, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.
Most Valuable 1871 Canadian Dime Varieties
The 1871 Canadian dime offers several documented non-error varieties for the specialist. The most significant is a repunched date variety on the Heaton issue. Values below are sourced from the Coins and Canada Victorian dimes price guide and the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins.
1. 1871-H '7 over 7' Repunched Date (7/7) — Trophy Variety
This is the most significant catalogued die variety of the 1871 Canadian dime and is listed in the Charlton Standard Catalogue. It is found on Heaton Mint ('H') strikes only.
What it is: During die preparation at the Heaton Mint, the die sinker initially punched the final digit '7' of the date 1871 and then had to repunch it in a corrected position. The original impression was not fully removed from the die, leaving a ghost of the underlying '7' visible beneath the final, properly positioned digit on all coins struck from that die.
Diagnostics: Examine the final digit '7' in the date 1871 under 10× magnification on an 1871-H coin. Look for doubling — a secondary impression of the digit, typically offset vertically from the primary numeral. You may see a doubled top serif or doubled base of the 7. A standard 1871-H will show a single, clean numeral with no secondary impressions.
10× magnification of the 1871-H date. Left — '7/7 Variety (Rare)': the final digit 7 shows a secondary impression offset vertically, revealing a doubled top serif. Right — 'Standard 1871-H': a single, clean 7 with no doubling. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
| Variety | VF-20 | EF-40 | MS-60 | MS-63 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1871-H 7/7 Repunched Date | ~$286 | ~$498 | ~$1,440 | ~$4,740 |
The 7/7 variety commands a premium at all grade levels — most dramatically at MS-63, where it surpasses the standard 1871-H Mint State value. A 10× loupe is the minimum tool required to confirm this variety. For investment-grade purchases, seek only ICCS, PCGS, or NGC certified examples with explicit variety attribution on the label.
2. 1871 London 'Repunched A' — Specialist Variety
Variety specialists have identified evidence of repunching on the letter 'A' in REGINA on the obverse of certain London (no mintmark) dies. This variety is recognized within specialist literature but does not carry a standardized catalogue price premium in general price guides such as Coins and Canada. Its value is primarily realized in private treaty sales or specialized variety auctions. No standard market price can be quoted for this variety from the available documentation.
Finish comparison for authentication: Left — Business Strike showing cartwheel luster (radiating lines of reflected light sweep across the fields when tilted under a single light source). Right — Specimen striking showing deep mirror fields and heavily frosted, matte devices creating a strong cameo contrast. Genuine 1871 Specimen coins are extremely rare. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
ℹ️ Note on the 1871-H Newfoundland Mule
The 1871-H Newfoundland Mule is documented as an extremely rare error variety — a coin struck with mismatched Newfoundland and Canadian dies at the Heaton Mint. As a die-pairing error, it falls outside the scope of this standard value guide. It is noted here only to acknowledge its existence for historical completeness. Approximately 2 examples are believed to exist.
1871 Canadian Dime Identification Guide
Use this checklist to confirm the coin in hand is a genuine 1871 Canadian 10-cent piece and to determine which variety and finish you have.
The 1871 Canadian 10-cent coin. Obverse (left): Queen Victoria's Laureated Portrait (Young Head) by L.C. Wyon — hair tied back with laurel wreath, ribbon trailing behind neck. Legend: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA CANADA. Reverse (right): Crossed maple boughs, 10 CENTS, date 1871, St. Edward's Crown at top. Small 'H' visible at base of reverse on Heaton strikes only.
30-Second Identification Checklist
Step 1 — Monarch Check: The obverse should depict Queen Victoria facing left in the Laureated Portrait ('Young Head') style — hair tied back in a bun adorned with a laurel wreath, with the ribbon trailing behind her neck. The portrait was engraved by Leonard Charles Wyon (L.C. Wyon) of the Royal Mint. The legend reads VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA CANADA. The 1871 issue uses Obverse 1: diagnostically, the first two hair strands curve and break at the temple; the next three strands join to form one thick strand. The upper eyelid is completely formed but does not join the lower lid at the inner corner of the eye.
Step 2 — Reverse Check: The reverse should show a wreath of crossed maple boughs tied with a ribbon bow at the bottom, with 10 CENTS and the date 1871 in the central field. A St. Edward's Crown surmounts the wreath at top. If the reverse design does not match this description, the coin may be a different denomination or a different country entirely.
Step 3 — Date Check: Confirm the date reads 1871. The Victorian dime design ran from 1858 to 1901; only the date distinguishes this year from others.
Step 4 — Edge Check: The edge must be reeded (milled) — fine, evenly spaced ridges around the full circumference. A plain-edged coin of this design is not genuine.
Step 5 — Magnet Test (Composition Verification): Apply a magnet to the coin. A genuine 1871 Canadian dime is Sterling Silver (92.5% Ag) and is completely non-magnetic. It should show no attraction to the magnet whatsoever. A coin that sticks to or is pulled by a magnet is not Sterling Silver and requires further investigation.
Step 6 — Mintmark Check (Variety Determination):
The 'H' mintmark location on the 1871-H reverse: directly below the ribbon knot at the base of the wreath, above the rim denticles. On London strikes, this area is completely blank. Use a 5–10× loupe on worn examples where the H may be weak.
- No mintmark at the base of the reverse:London (Royal Mint) issue — mintage 800,000. Examine the area just above the rim denticles at the very bottom of the reverse, below the ribbon knot. If blank, it is the London variety.
- Small serifed 'H' at the base of the reverse:Heaton Mint issue (1871-H) — mintage 1,870,000. The H is positioned directly below the ribbon bow, above the rim denticles. On worn examples (G-4), it may be faint — use a loupe under raking light.
Step 7 — Finish Identification:
- Business Strike (MS): Shows classic cartwheel luster. Tilt the coin under a single point-source light and watch for radiating bands of brightness sweeping across the fields as you rotate. Contact marks (small abrasions from coin-to-coin contact in storage) are normal. This is by far the most common finish encountered.
- Specimen (SP): Extremely rare for 1871. True Specimen coins have fields so deeply mirrored you can see a clear reflection in them, paired with sharply frosted (matte-textured), white-appearing devices that create a strong cameo contrast against the mirror fields. These would never have entered general circulation and are essentially museum-quality pieces.
Step 8 — Variety Check (1871-H coins only): Examine the final digit '7' in the date under 10× magnification. A single, clean numeral with no secondary impression = standard 1871-H. Evidence of doubling or a ghost impression offset vertically = potential 7/7 Repunched Date variety carrying a significant premium. Submit to ICCS, PCGS, or NGC for formal variety attribution before making any value assumptions. See the Varieties section for full diagnostics.
💡 Grading Services for Victorian Canadian Silver
ICCS (Inter-Provincial Coin Exchange Service) is the leading Canadian grading authority and is particularly respected for attributing Victorian-era obverse types and die varieties. NGC and PCGS are internationally recognized alternatives. Any of the three is appropriate for investment-grade purchases. Third-party certification confirms authenticity, grade, and variety attribution — all critical for coins in this price range.
1871 Canadian Dime Value FAQs
What is an 1871 Canadian dime worth?
Value depends primarily on variety (London vs. Heaton 'H') and grade. Circulated London examples range from $25–$320 CAD (G-4 to EF-40); circulated Heaton examples range from $35–$350 CAD in that same span. About Uncirculated examples reach $480–$625 CAD (London) and $500–$550 CAD (Heaton). Certified Mint State examples are condition rarities valued at $890–$3,700+ CAD (London) and $1,000–$3,200+ CAD (Heaton). The rare 7/7 repunched date variety adds a significant premium at every grade. See the full value chart for grade-by-grade pricing.
Does the 1871 Canadian dime contain silver?
Yes — all 1871 Canadian 10-cent coins are struck in Sterling Silver, composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. This makes the 1871 dime fundamentally different from any Canadian dime struck since 1968, which are steel. A simple magnet test confirms this: a genuine 1871 dime is non-magnetic. Never confuse a modern steel dime (magnetic) with this Victorian silver piece.
What is the melt value of an 1871 Canadian dime?
Based on a silver spot price of $3.42 CAD per gram (as of February 7, 2026), the formula is: 2.32 g × 0.925 × $3.42 ≈ $7.34 CAD. However, even the most heavily worn collectible examples (AG-3) trade at $10–$18 CAD — already above the melt floor. At every recognized collector grade, numismatic premium substantially exceeds the coin's intrinsic silver content. This coin does not trade as a bullion piece.
What is the difference between the 1871 (No Mintmark) and the 1871-H?
Both coins share identical design and specifications but were struck at different mints under a production subcontract. The London (No Mintmark) issue was struck at the Royal Mint, Tower Hill, with a mintage of 800,000. The 1871-H was struck by Ralph Heaton & Sons in Birmingham with a mintage of 1,870,000. To distinguish them, examine the bottom of the reverse above the rim denticles: a blank area means London; a small serifed 'H' means Heaton. In the highest Mint State grades, the London issue generally commands a premium owing to its lower original mintage.
How rare is the 1871 Canadian dime in Mint State?
Extremely rare in true Mint State. The 1871 dime circulated intensively in daily commerce — it had real purchasing power in 1871 Canada — and most examples show significant wear. Finding an example graded MS-63 or higher that is genuinely problem-free (not cleaned, not whizzed, without heavy contact damage) is exceptional. The dramatic price jump between MS-60 and MS-63 in the value tables directly reflects this condition scarcity. Always purchase certified examples at this level to verify grade integrity.
What is the 1871-H '7 over 7' repunched date, and how do I find it?
The '7/7' is a die variety listed in the Charlton Standard Catalogue where the die sinker punched the final '7' in the date twice — the second punching correcting the position of the first. Both impressions survived in the die, leaving a ghost of the original beneath the final numeral. To check: examine the last digit '7' in '1871' on an 1871-H coin under 10× magnification. A clean, single numeral = standard issue. A doubled numeral with a secondary impression offset vertically = potential 7/7 variety, worth approximately $286 CAD at VF-20 rising to approximately $4,740 CAD at MS-63. Submit to ICCS, PCGS, or NGC for confirmation before attributing variety status.
How can I tell if my 1871 dime has been cleaned?
Cleaned coins typically show fine parallel hairlines under 5–10× magnification — caused by cloth polishing. The surface may appear unnaturally bright or 'washed out' without the typical flowing cartwheel luster of an original coin, or dull and grey from acid dipping. Original cartwheel luster flows in distinct radiating bands; a cleaned coin's luster pattern is disrupted or absent. Natural toning (iridescent blues, golds, or soft grey) in protected areas (around lettering, in recesses) indicates originality. Artificial or uneven toning following cleaning is possible; if uncertain, have the coin evaluated by a professional numismatist before purchase.
Should I get my 1871 Canadian dime professionally graded?
Grading fees at ICCS, PCGS, or NGC typically range from approximately $30–$75+ CAD per coin plus submission and shipping costs. This investment is justified for coins that might grade EF-40 or higher — where values reach $290+ (London) or $330+ (Heaton) for problem-free examples. For heavily circulated G-4 to F-12 examples (valued $25–$110), grading costs may approach or exceed any premium gained. The most important reason to certify a Victorian dime is authenticity and variety attribution — particularly critical for potential 7/7 specimens and any AU or Mint State coins where cleaning detection matters enormously to value.
Where exactly is the 'H' mintmark on the 1871-H dime?
The 'H' mintmark is located on the reverse only, at the very base of the design directly below the ribbon knot that ties the maple bough wreath and directly above the rim denticles. It is a small, serifed capital letter H. On heavily worn coins (G-4), it may be partially obscured by wear — use a 5–10× loupe under raking light to confirm. On finer examples (VF and above), it is clearly legible. There is no mintmark of any kind on the obverse of any 1871 Canadian dime.
Are there Proof-Like (PL) versions of the 1871 Canadian dime?
No. Proof-Like sets as a distributed collector product were introduced by the Royal Canadian Mint much later in the 20th century and are not applicable to Victorian-era coinage. For 1871, the only documented special striking is the Specimen (SP), characterized by mirror fields and frosted devices, produced for presentation or collector sale. Any 'shiny' or high-luster 1871 dime found today is almost certainly a well-preserved business strike — not a rare collector-finish coin. A true 1871 Specimen is an extreme rarity priced at $7,800 CAD for SP-65 per Coins and Canada.
Methodology & Sources
Values in this guide are current as of February 2026 and represent typical market prices for problem-free, accurately graded examples expressed in Canadian Dollars (CAD). They synthesize data from the following primary sources:
- Coins and Canada — Victorian 10-Cent Price Guide (1858–1901): Primary retail pricing reference for both varieties and the Specimen striking.
- Calgary Coin Gallery — Canadian Dime Dealer Listings: Current dealer ask prices for specific grades including ICCS and PCGS certified examples.
- NGC World Coin Price Guide — Canada 10 Cents KM 3 (1858–1901): Third-party grading service price benchmarks.
- Heritage Auctions — Canadian Coin Auction Archive: Source for MS-65 NGC auction result data.
- Numista — 10 Cents Victoria Canada: Technical specifications and variety reference.
- Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian Coin Mintage Data: Mintage figures for London and Heaton varieties.
- Saskatoon Coin Club — 10-Cent Obverse Design Evolution: Obverse 1 diagnostic reference.
- SilverPrice.org — Canada Silver Spot Price: Silver spot price data ($3.42 CAD/g, February 7, 2026).
- Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins: Authoritative variety listings including the 7/7 repunched date attribution.
Market values for Victorian Canadian silver coins are subject to fluctuation based on eye appeal, originality of toning, strike quality, and the competitiveness of individual auction sessions. Values listed are indicative of typical market conditions and are not a guarantee of realized prices. Consult a certified professional numismatist (ANA member, RCNA member) or a reputable ICCS/PCGS/NGC-authorized dealer before making significant purchases or sales.
A note on images: To help illustrate coin diagnostics and rare varieties — especially complex errors that are difficult to describe in text alone — this guide uses AI-generated images. All written values, diagnostics, and variety attributions have been manually reviewed against the cited sources above. While our editorial team works to ensure every image is accurate and helpful, AI-generated illustrations may occasionally misrepresent fine details. If you spot any discrepancy between an image and its written description, please contact us or leave a comment below — we review all feedback and correct errors promptly. Numismatic knowledge is a community effort, and your input helps us build a more accurate resource for everyone.