1910 Canadian 10-Cent (Dime) Value Guide

The 1910 Canadian 10-cent piece occupies a singular position in the national series: it is the final issue of the Edwardian era, struck at the Royal Mint's Ottawa Branch bearing the effigy of King Edward VII, who died on May 6, 1910. Because the mint depended on master tools shipped from London and had production quotas to meet, striking continued in the late monarch's name for the remainder of the year, making the 1910 dime largely a posthumous issue and the numismatic bookend of a pivotal epoch. Beneath its deceptively high mintage of over 4.4 million lies a critical variety split — the common Broad Leaves and the elusive Victorian Leaves — that transforms this date into one of the most rewarding attributions in the Canadian series. For values across all Edward VII and subsequent dime issues, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.

Note: Die-related anomalies such as die clashes and die cracks exist for this year but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.

Obverse of the 1910 Canadian dime — King Edward VII crowned bust right, engraved by G.W. De Saulles. The legend reads EDWARDVS VII D.G. REX IMPERATOR. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1910 Canadian Dime Composition & Silver Content

The 1910 Canadian dime is struck in Sterling Silver — 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. This is the highest-purity silver standard ever used in Canadian circulation coinage. Canada adhered to the Sterling (.925 fine) standard from Confederation through 1919, after which the fineness was debased to .800 fine during the economic pressures following World War I, and silver was eventually removed entirely from dimes in 1968. The 1910 dime therefore represents the peak of silver purity in the Canadian circulating dime series — whiter, brighter, and metallurgically distinct from the later George V and George VI issues that would follow.

The 7.5% copper component was not incidental — pure silver is too ductile for daily commerce. The copper alloy hardens the coin, allowing design details to survive repeated handling. Sterling silver also develops characteristic toning: golden and russet hues near the rims in early stages, progressing through sea-green to charcoal grey as decades pass. Original, undisturbed toning is considered a positive attribute by advanced collectors and can significantly enhance eye appeal and realized auction prices.

Each 1910 dime contains approximately 0.069 troy ounces of silver (ASW). To determine the current melt value, multiply this figure by the prevailing silver spot price. The Royal Canadian Mint's denomination history page at mint.ca — 10 Cents provides additional denomination context.

The coin was struck in Medal Alignment (↑↑) — when the coin is held vertically by the date and flipped over its vertical axis, the reverse remains upright. This was the standard for the Ottawa Mint beginning in 1908, distinguishing Ottawa-struck coins from those produced earlier in London or Birmingham, which used Coinage Alignment (↑↓). A 1910 dime found in Coinage Alignment would be a significant anomaly.

The survival rate of Edwardian dimes in high grades has been severely reduced by history. The silver price spikes of the late 1970s and early 1980s drove massive melting campaigns across North America. Earlier, as Canada debased its silver coinage beginning in 1920, the older, purer .925 coins were systematically hoarded and melted by merchants and banks aware of their superior intrinsic value — a classic expression of Gresham's Law. The result is a coin that, despite a mintage of over 4.4 million, is genuinely scarce in Mint State preservation.

The magnet test: a Sterling Silver 1910 Canadian dime will show zero magnetic attraction. A coin that sticks to a magnet is not genuine .925 silver. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1910 Canadian Dime Value Chart by Grade & Variety

The 1910 Canadian dime's value is determined by two independent variables that multiply each other: grade and variety. The table below presents both the common Broad Leaves and the rare Victorian Leaves side by side. A coin that grades VF-20 is worth roughly $30 as a Broad Leaves example — and roughly $175 as a Victorian Leaves example. At MS-63, that gap widens to $450 versus $7,000. Variety attribution should always precede grading submission.

Values sourced from market data compiled in the source document. See also the NGC Price Guide for Canada 10 Cents KM 10 (1902–1910) for additional market reference data.

1910 Canadian Dime — Business Strike Value by Grade & Variety

Values in CAD represent estimated market prices as of 2026. Actual auction realizations vary with eye appeal, toning, and strike quality. Data synthesized from recent market trends and catalogue references.

Grade comparison for the 1910 Canadian dime: G-4 (left, heavy wear, King is a near-silhouette), VF-20 (centre, major details present, wreath veining partially visible), and MS-65 (right, full cartwheel luster, sharp devices). The physical difference between AU-55 and MS-63 may be only trace friction on the hair above the ear. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1910 Canadian Dime — Specimen (SP) Strikes

A rarefied category of the 1910 dime exists: Specimen strikes. Unlike the business-strike coins intended for commerce, Specimens were struck individually on specially prepared presses with polished dies and planchets. They display squared rims and a matte or satin field finish rather than the cartwheel luster of a business strike. The 1910 date is not associated with a commercial Specimen set; examples are believed to have been struck for presentation or Mint officials and exist in virtually single-digit populations.

A certified 1910 SP dime in a major auction would represent a five-figure rarity, with values estimated to exceed $10,000 CAD.

For the complete denomination price history across all Edward VII, George V, and subsequent monarch dime issues, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.

Most Valuable 1910 Canadian Dime Varieties

The 1910 date offers one defining variety that every collector and dealer must know: the Victorian Leaves reverse. Understanding this variety — and being able to distinguish it from the standard Broad Leaves — is the single most consequential skill for working with this date.

Trophy Variety: 1910 Victorian Leaves

From 1858 through 1908–1909, the maple leaf wreath on Canadian dimes featured a style retroactively termed "Victorian Leaves" — narrow, spindly leaves with fine, lightly incised veins and more open field space. When the Ottawa Mint redesigned the reverse for improved die life and striking characteristics, the result was the "Broad Leaves" (or "Edwardian Leaves") design that became standard from 1909 onward. By 1910, the Broad Leaves was the official working design, and the vast majority — likely over 99% — of 1910 dimes carry it.

However, a very small number of 1910 dimes were struck with the older Victorian Leaves reverse die. The most probable explanation is a die muling: the Ottawa Mint, under pressure to meet a production demand of over 4.4 million pieces, mated a surviving Victorian-era reverse die with a new 1910 obverse die. The resulting coins slipped into the production stream and circulated alongside the standard issue.

Side-by-side reverse comparison: Broad Leaves (left, standard variety) vs Victorian Leaves (right, rare variety). Note the fuller, overlapping leaves and deep vein trenches on the Broad Leaves versus the spindly, separated leaves and open field space of the Victorian Leaves. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

Diagnostic Identification Guide

Distinguishing these varieties requires a loupe (at minimum 5×) and strong, raking light. Here are the four key diagnostics drawn from the reverse wreath:

Close-up of the bow knot at the base of the maple leaf wreath — a key diagnostic point. The Victorian Leaves knot (rare variety) is smaller and more delicate than the bold, thick-ribboned Broad Leaves knot (standard). Examine this area first with a loupe. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

The Victorian Leaves Premium

The value premium for a correctly attributed Victorian Leaves coin is dramatic and escalates with grade. In G-4, the premium is 4× over the standard Broad Leaves ($20 vs $5). By VF-20, it exceeds 5× ($175 vs $30). At EF-40, it approaches 8× ($500 vs $60). In MS-63, the premium reaches over 15× ($7,000 vs $450). In MS-65, the Victorian Leaves is cited as rare with prices available only on request — no reliable market data exists at that grade.

When a properly attributed Victorian Leaves 1910 appears in VF or EF condition at auction, aggressive bidding from variety specialists filling Charlton set registry positions is typical. This variety is referenced in Coin World's Canadian value data; see the archived Coin World Canadian Values reference (PDF) and the earlier Coin World Canadian Values (July 2014 PDF).

Note: the document does not identify any other Charlton-catalogued varieties for the 1910 date. Die cracks and die clash evidence exist for this high-mintage issue but are die states rather than distinct catalogue varieties, and are outside the scope of this guide.

1910 Canadian Dime Identification Guide

Use this 30-second checklist to confirm you are holding a genuine 1910 Canadian dime and to identify its variety and finish.

30-Second Identification Checklist

1. 1. Monarch Check (Obverse): The obverse should show a right-facing crowned bust of King Edward VII, wearing the Imperial State Crown and coronation robes with ermine detail. The portrait was engraved by G.W. De Saulles. The surrounding legend reads EDWARDVS VII D.G. REX IMPERATOR. The presence of "IMPERATOR" (Emperor) is specific to Edward VII Dominion coinage and is a key authentication marker for this era.
2. 2. Reverse Check: The reverse should show the denomination 10 CENTS and the date 1910 below an arched Imperial State Crown (cross pattée at top), surrounded by a maple leaf wreath tied at the base with a bow knot. The crown's cross pattée is one of the first details to vanish in circulation — its condition is a reliable grading gauge.
3. 3. Size Check: The coin is 18.034 mm in diameter and weighs 2.32 grams. A digital scale is a useful tool for authentication; significant deviation from 2.32 g may indicate a wrong planchet, a counterfeit, or heavy damage.
4. 4. Mint Mark Check:No mint mark appears on genuine 1910 dimes. Although struck at the Ottawa Branch of the Royal Mint, circulation coins of this era carried no facility identifier. A coin with any stamped letter or mark claiming to be a mint mark for the 1910 date is suspect.
5. 5. Magnet Test (Composition Verification): Apply a strong magnet to the coin. A genuine 1910 dime is struck in Sterling Silver (92.5% Ag, 7.5% Cu) — both non-magnetic materials. The coin will not be attracted to the magnet at all. Any magnetic response is a red flag indicating a non-silver composition. This test is fast, free, and conclusive.
6. 6. Die Alignment Check: Hold the coin with the date at the bottom and flip it over its vertical axis. The reverse should remain upright (Medal Alignment ↑↑) — this is the Ottawa Mint standard for all coins struck from 1908 onward. A 1910 dime with Coinage Alignment (reverse upside down when flipped) would be a major undocumented anomaly.
7. 7. Finish Identification: Almost all 1910 dimes you encounter will be Business Strikes, identifiable by their cartwheel luster (in uncirculated examples) or their gradual wear pattern in circulated grades. A genuine Specimen (SP) strike — if one were ever encountered — would display distinctly squared rims, a matte or satin field texture (rather than brilliant cartwheel luster), and a sharp, intentional strike. No commercial Specimen set was issued for 1910; examples are virtually unique and should only be considered in PCGS/NGC/ICCS-certified holders with an explicit SP designation.
8. 8. Variety Check (The Critical Step): Under a loupe, examine the maple leaf wreath on the reverse. Focus on: (a) the leaf shape — are the leaves full and overlapping (Broad Leaves) or narrow and spindly (Victorian Leaves)? (b) the vein engraving — are the veins deep trenches or fine, shallow lines? (c) the bow knot at the wreath base — is it large and bold or small and delicate? See the full diagnostic table →

The 1910 Canadian dime in business strike (uncirculated) condition, showing the typical cartwheel luster pattern: bright, radiating flow lines emanating from the center of the coin toward the rim. Genuine Specimen strikes (virtually unique for this date) display squared rims and a matte/satin field rather than this brilliant finish. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1910 Canadian Dime Value FAQs

Methodology & Sources

Values in this guide are synthesized from market trend data and catalogue references as of 2026, and represent typical CAD market prices. Actual auction realizations vary with eye appeal, surface quality, and toning. This guide covers standard (non-error) values only; die clashes, die cracks, and other error categories are outside its scope.

Primary sources consulted:

• Numista — 10 Cents Edward VII Canada (KM 10): Composition, specifications, and design attribution.
• NGC Price Guide — Canada 10 Cents KM 10 (1902–1910): Market pricing and population context.
• Coin World Canadian Values Reference (PDF, July 2015): Variety pricing and catalogue data including Victorian Leaves.
• Coin World Canadian Values Reference (PDF, July 2014): Supplemental catalogue data.
• Royal Canadian Mint — 10 Cents denomination history: Denomination overview and design lineage.
• World & Ancient Coins Auction Catalogue (Biddr): Auction context for world silver coinage including Canadian issues.
• George Manz Coins — Canadian Silver 10 Cents: Supplemental dealer market pricing data.

This is a standard value guide. It is not a substitute for professional coin grading or authentication. Consult ICCS, PCGS, or NGC for certified opinions on high-value examples.