1886 Canadian 25-Cent (Quarter) Value Guide

The 1886 Canadian 25-cent piece is one of the most variety-rich issues in the entire Victorian Decimal series (1870–1901). Struck exclusively at the Royal Mint in London — bearing no mint mark — a combined mintage of 540,000 coins masks a striking complexity: three distinct obverse portraits (Obverse 2, 4, and 5), two reverse hub types (Short Bough Ends and Long Bough Ends), and documented overdates and die repunchings that can multiply a coin's value by a factor of ten or more. Heavy circulation in the 19th-century Canadian economy has created an extreme condition-rarity market, where even EF-40 examples are considered significant finds. For the complete context of this denomination across all years, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.

Note: Mint errors such as off-center strikes and brockages are known to occur in Victorian-era coinage but are outside the scope of this standard value guide, which focuses on catalogued die varieties and normal issuances.

1886 Canadian Quarter Composition & Melt Value

The magnet test is the fastest counterfeit check for an 1886 quarter: genuine Sterling Silver (92.5% Ag) is non-magnetic. A coin that sticks to a magnet is almost certainly not genuine.

The 1886 Canadian quarter adheres to the British Sterling silver standard — 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper — the same metallurgical specification codified in England since the 12th century. This distinguishes it from later Canadian "80 silver" coinage (adopted in 1920) and from contemporary American silver coins, which used a 90% silver alloy, giving the 1886 quarter a slightly higher intrinsic value per gram than either comparator.

Silver Content Breakdown

• Silver (Ag): 92.5%
• Copper (Cu): 7.5% (hardening agent required for circulation durability — pure silver is too soft to retain the fine relief of Victoria's laureated portrait)
• Total Weight: 5.81 grams (theoretical standard)
• Actual Silver Weight (ASW): 0.1728 troy ounces (~5.37 grams of pure silver)

Melt Value (As of February 2026)

With silver spot trading in the range of $3.55–$3.60 CAD per gram in early 2026, the melt value of the 1886 quarter is approximately ~$19.13 CAD, derived by multiplying the pure silver mass (5.37g) by the spot price per gram. This figure represents the hard price floor: even the most worn, barely-legible examples trade above melt in the numismatic market. Any coin with a readable date and legends is effectively "too valuable to melt."

Magnetic Test — Critical Authentication Diagnostic

Sterling silver is non-magnetic, making the magnet test a rapid, non-destructive first screen for authenticity:

• Genuine 1886 quarter: Will NOT be attracted to a magnet.
• Counterfeit: Will stick to a magnet, or show sluggish attraction, revealing a base-metal core beneath a silver-coloured surface.

Modern counterfeit Victorian quarters have entered the market since approximately 2010. While the 1880-H is the most commonly faked date, counterfeits of other dates including 1886 exist. Genuine examples must also weigh 5.81 grams (with minor tolerance for wear). Counterfeits often display "mushy" hair relief on the portrait and incorrect denticle shaping at the rim — features visible under a 10× loupe. Have any raw (unslabbed) Victorian quarter authenticated by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC before paying a significant premium.

1886 Canadian Quarter Value Chart by Grade & Variety

The 1886 quarter's value is determined by three interacting factors: Obverse type (the dominant driver in circulated grades), Reverse hub (Short vs. Long Bough Ends), and date variety (standard, 6/6 repunch, or 6/7 overdate). All prices below are for problem-free, original coins. Cleaned or damaged coins typically trade at a 30–50% discount. The silver melt value (~$19.13 CAD) acts as an absolute price floor for all varieties.

Visual grade scale for the 1886 Canadian quarter, from heavily worn G4 to nearly untouched EF-40. Note how variety attribution becomes increasingly readable — and valuable — as detail improves. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1886 Canadian Quarter — Business Strike (Circulation)

SBE = Short Bough Ends; LBE = Long Bough Ends. All values in CAD. "—" indicates extremely rare in that grade or insufficient recent sales data to establish a reliable market price. Source: Coins and Canada — Victorian 25¢ Price Guide.

1886 Canadian Quarter — Specimen (SP)

Specimen strikes of the 1886 quarter are extreme rarities, believed to have been produced in very small numbers for presentation or collector sale. They are characterized by mirror-like fields contrasting with frosted devices, razor-sharp strike detail, and wire rims. Only one price data point is established in current market sources:

Pricing for other SP grades is not established in current market data. Values in CAD as of February 2026.

Values in CAD represent typical market prices as of February 2026. For the complete denomination price guide, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.

Most Valuable 1886 Canadian Quarter Varieties

Three-way obverse comparison for the 1886 Canadian quarter. LEFT: Obverse 2 — rounded "double" chin, bulging eye, neck tip ends before the "C" in CANADA. CENTER: Obverse 4 — flatter chin, neck tip points directly at the "C" serif. RIGHT: Obverse 5 — pronounced upper lip curl, lazy "U"-shaped ribbon end. Correct attribution can double a coin's value. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

A. Trophy-Level Examples (Not Typical)

The absolute peak of the 1886 market is occupied by Specimen strikes and Gem Mint State business strikes. These are coins that anchor advanced registry sets and appear in headline auctions — their value is as much a function of population scarcity as it is of the coin itself.

Reverse hub comparison: Short Bough Ends (left) — a clear gap separates the stem tips from the rim denticles; Long Bough Ends (right) — the stems extend to touch or overlap the denticles. This distinction represents a genuine die hub change and affects value, particularly in mid-to-high grades. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

B. Findable Varieties Worth Cherry-Picking

For collectors searching dealer inventory, online listings, or estate acquisitions, the following varieties may be mislabeled as generic 1886 quarters. Correctly attributing them can transform a common $35–$40 coin into one worth significantly more:

For detailed photographic diagnostics, see the Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian 25¢ Major Varieties Guide.

1886 Canadian Quarter Identification Guide

1886 Canadian 25-cent piece: obverse showing Queen Victoria's laureated Mature Head portrait (key features: laurel wreath, reeded rim), and reverse showing the maple bough wreath. The absence of any mint mark confirms a Royal Mint, London origin.

Correctly attributing an 1886 quarter requires a systematic approach and a 5× or 10× loupe. The difference between Obverse 2 and Obverse 5 can mean the difference between a $60 coin and a $40 coin in Good, and a rarity versus a type coin in high grades. Follow this checklist in order.

30-Second Attribution Checklist

1. Monarch Check: Confirm the portrait shows Queen Victoria wearing a laureated head (laurel wreath crown) — the Mature Head effigy used throughout the Victorian Decimal series (1870–1901). This is the "Laureated" or "Mature Head" type, distinct from earlier Victorian portraits.
2. Date Check: Verify the date reads 1886. Immediately scrutinize the final digit "6" for any secondary shadows, tails, or offset outlines that indicate the 6/7 overdate or 6/6 repunch — details that add significant value.
3. Magnet Test (Composition & Counterfeit Verification): Hold the coin to a magnet. A genuine 1886 quarter contains 92.5% sterling silver and is non-magnetic. Any attraction to the magnet is a strong indicator of a counterfeit. Follow up with a weight check on a precise scale: genuine examples weigh 5.81 grams (minor tolerance for surface wear).
4. Reverse Check (Bough Ends): Examine the base of the wreath below the ribbon bow. Do the stem tips stop short of the rim denticles with a clear gap? That is Short Bough Ends (SBE). Do they touch or overlap the denticles? That is Long Bough Ends (LBE) — a different reverse hub that commands a premium.
5. Obverse Check (Chin, Neckline, Eye): This is the critical step for value attribution. See detailed diagnostics below.
6. Marks Check: Genuine 1886 Royal Mint (London) quarters carry no mint mark. The absence of any mark is standard. Heaton Mint issues from other Victorian years carry a prominent "H" mint mark. No documented marks exist for 1886 beyond the standard legends.
7. Finish Identification: Determine whether your coin is a Business Strike or the extremely rare Specimen (see below).

Obverse Identification — The Primary Value Driver

Focus on the Queen's profile with a 5× or 10× loupe. The three obverse dies have distinct facial characteristics:

Obverse 2 — "The Round Chin" (Rare; Premium-Priced)

• Chin: Distinctly rounded, often described as a "double chin" appearance — the most immediately recognizable diagnostic.
• Eye: Prominent and very rounded/bulging — more convex than Obverses 4 and 5.
• Neckline: The sharp tip of the bust truncation points between the letters "A" and "C" of CANADA, or ends distinctly before the "C."
• Ribbon: The "V" shape formed by the ribbon at the back of the head is notably off-centre.

Obverse 4 — "The Transitional" (Moderate Premium)

• Chin: Flatter and less rounded than Obverse 2.
• Neckline: The bust truncation tip points directly at the serif or edge of the "C" in CANADA.
• Eye: Less bulging; a more naturalistic profile overall.

Obverse 5 — "The Standard High-Grade Type" (Most Mint State Examples)

• Chin: May show lines suggesting an aging chin but is clearly distinct from the bulbous Obverse 2 profile.
• Upper Lip: Pronounced, distinct curl — the most reliable Obverse 5 marker.
• Neckline: Points generally toward the "C" (similar to Obverse 4).
• Ribbon: The ribbon end on the right has a lazy "U" shape.

Date diagnostic at 10× magnification. LEFT: Standard "6" with clean loops. CENTER: 6/6 Repunch — a secondary offset outline ("ghost") visible north or south of the primary digit. RIGHT: 6/7 Overdate — a straight spine or curved tail protrudes from the bottom-right of the "6," the remnant of the underlying corrected digit. Fine (F-12) or better condition is recommended for clear visibility of these features. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

Date Analysis

• 1886/6 Repunch: The final "6" shows a secondary outline slightly offset (usually north or south) from the primary digit. The number appears "blurred" or doubled under magnification.
• 1886/7 Overdate: Look for a straight line ("spine") cutting through the bottom loop of the "6," or a curved "tail" protruding from the bottom right. This is the remnant of the underlying digit that was corrected in the die. Often labelled "6/3" in older catalogues; modern consensus leans toward "6/7." Fine or better condition is generally required for clear attribution.

Business Strike vs. Specimen finish comparison. LEFT: Business Strike — satin "cartwheel" lustre radiating from the centre, typical bag marks from contact with other coins in mint bags. RIGHT: Specimen — highly reflective mirror-like fields contrasting sharply with frosted (cameo) devices; razor-sharp wire rim; no bag marks. Never confuse a polished or cleaned business strike with a genuine Specimen — a polished coin will show gloss over worn or hairlined detail, while a Specimen will have perfect relief and undisturbed mirror fields. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

Finish Identification

• Business Strike: The standard coin struck for commerce. Even in high grades, the fields show a satin "cartwheel" lustre that rotates visibly as you tilt the coin under a directed light source. Surfaces typically show bag marks — small nicks and contact points from other coins in canvas mint bags.
• Specimen (SP): Struck especially for collectors, not commerce. Characterized by razor-sharp device relief (often with "wire rims" — a raised, sharp lip at the edge), highly reflective mirror-like fields, and frosted (cameo) devices. Warning: Do not confuse a polished or cleaned business strike with a Specimen. A cleaned coin will have unnatural shine overlaid on worn or hairlined detail; a genuine Specimen will have perfect, undisturbed relief and pristine mirror fields.

For detailed photographic obverse variety diagnostics, see the Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian 25¢ Obverse Design Evolution and Calgary Coin Gallery — Victorian Quarter Reference.

1886 Canadian Quarter Value FAQs

Methodology & Sources

Values in this guide reflect current market prices as of February 2026 and are drawn from the following primary sources:

• Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins: Primary reference for variety attribution (Obverse 2/4/5, SBE/LBE) and base value structures.
• Coins and Canada — Victorian 25¢ Price Guide: Current pricing trends (2026), variety visualization, and auction aggregation data.
• PCGS Population Report — Victoria 1870–1901: Census data and high-grade rarity context.
• NGC Price Guide — Canada 25 Cents KM 5 (Duid-492) and NGC KM 5 (Duid-503): World coin specifications and census cross-reference.
• Numista — 25 Cents Victoria, Canada: Specification cross-reference.
• Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian 25¢ Obverse Design Evolution and Canadian 25¢ Major Varieties Guide: Detailed diagnostic criteria for Obverse types and Bough Ends.
• Calgary Coin Gallery — Victorian Quarter Reference: Dealer insights on real-world grading standards and variety identification.
• SilverPrice.org — Silver Price Canada: Silver spot price data used in melt value calculation.
• Auction Records: Heritage Auctions, Stack's Bowers Galleries, and Geoffrey Bell Auctions provided market realization context for 2024–2026.

Values are representative market ranges and are not guaranteed transaction prices. Actual realized prices vary with eye appeal, originality, holder provenance, and auction competition. All prices are in Canadian Dollars (CAD).