1911 Canadian 10-Cent (Dime) Value Guide: The "Godless" Issue
What is your 1911 Canadian dime worth? Complete CAD price guide for the historic "Godless" issue: circulated grades from $7 (silver melt) to $2,200+ for Gem MS-65, rare Specimen strikes, and the Repunched Date variety explained.
Every 1911 Canadian dime is struck in 92.5% sterling silver (approx. 0.0691 troy oz), giving it a hard melt floor of approximately $7.00 CAD as of February 2026. Collector value rises steeply with grade: from $7–$12 in heavily worn condition to $1,500–$2,200 for a Gem Mint State example (MS-65). The rare Specimen strikes command even higher premiums in USD-quoted markets.
- Circulated (G4–VG8):$7.00–$12.00 — silver melt value dominates
- Fine (F12):$15.00–$25.00
- Very Fine (VF20–VF30):$35.00–$55.00
- Extremely Fine (EF40):$75.00–$100.00
- About Uncirculated (AU50–AU55):$125.00–$175.00
- Choice Uncirculated (MS63):$350.00–$500.00
- Gem (MS65):$1,500.00–$2,200.00
- Specimen (SP65–SP67): $2,500–$6,000+ (source quotes USD — see Specimen table)
Is it silver? Yes — all 1911 dimes are 92.5% sterling silver and non-magnetic. A magnet that sticks means something is wrong. Looks pristine, from an old set? It may be a Specimen strike with a matte/satin (not mirror) finish — worth far more than a Business Strike. Found heavily worn? Still worth at least its silver content (~$7 CAD). All values in CAD except Specimen strikes, which are quoted in USD per source. See full value chart →
1911 Canadian 10-cent dime — obverse showing the "Godless" legend (no Dei Gratia) and reverse showing the Broad Leaves maple wreath. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
The 1911 Canadian 10-cent dime is one of the most historically significant dates in the entire Canadian decimal series. It is the sole year struck with the "Godless" legend — GEORGIVS V REX ET IND: IMP: — after the traditional Latin phrase Dei Gratia ("By the Grace of God") was inadvertently omitted from the master dies sent from London during the frantic transition from Edward VII to George V. Public outcry forced a correction for 1912 onward, making the 1911 issue a permanent one-year subtype. For a complete overview of all Canadian dime values across every year, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.
1911 Canadian Dime Composition & Melt Value
The 1911 10-cent piece belongs to Canada's Sterling Era of coinage. Its 92.5% silver / 7.5% copper alloy is softer than the 80% silver alloy introduced in 1920. This softness has important consequences: the sterling surface mars easily from bag-to-bag contact during counting and transport, which is why high-grade examples with pristine surfaces are statistically rarer than the mintage of 2,737,584 might suggest.
Melt Value (February 2026)
With silver spot prices trading near $99.00–$100.00 CAD per troy ounce as of February 2026 (per SilverPrice.org and AU Bullion Canada), the melt value calculation is straightforward:
0.0691 troy oz × ~$100 CAD/oz ≈ $6.91 CAD, rounded to a practical floor of approximately $7.00 CAD.
This elevated silver price creates a hard floor beneath even the most heavily worn examples — no dealer will sell a 1911 dime for less than its silver content regardless of grade. It also drives an attrition effect: junk-silver 1911 dimes are actively being melted into bullion bars in 2026, gradually reducing the surviving population of low-grade circulated examples.
Magnetic Properties
The 92.5% silver / 7.5% copper alloy is non-magnetic. Apply a strong magnet: an authentic 1911 dime will not be attracted to it at all. If a coin purporting to be a 1911 dime responds to a magnet, it is almost certainly not genuine — no steel or nickel enters this alloy. This is a fast, free first step in authentication.
⚠️ Never Melt Canadian Coins
The Currency Act of Canada prohibits the melting of coins of the realm for the purpose of obtaining their metallic content. This guide references melt value as a price floor for collector and dealer valuation purposes only.
1911 Canadian Dime Value Chart by Grade & Finish
The 1911 dime market is driven by two forces operating at different ends of the grade spectrum: the silver commodity floor governs low-grade circulated examples, while Registry Set competition and condition rarity drive exponential premiums at Gem and Specimen levels. The tables below reflect synthesized 2024–2026 auction and market data as reported in the source document.
1911 Canadian Dime — Business Strike (Circulation)
Grade comparison for the 1911 Canadian dime: heavily worn circulated (left), collector-grade Very Fine (center), and Gem Uncirculated (right). The difference in surface preservation and detail sharpness drives dramatic value gaps. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
| Grade Band | Market Description | Est. Value (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 to VG-8 | Bullion / Filler | $7.00–$12.00 | Value driven by silver melt (~$7 CAD floor). Date and legends legible but heavily worn. |
| F-12 | Circulated — Honest Wear | $15.00–$25.00 | Major leaf veins visible; minor veins worn smooth. Clear date. |
| VF-20 to VF-30 | Collector Grade | $35.00–$55.00 | Entry point for serious type sets. Most veins visible; high leaf points flat. |
| EF-40 | Scarce | $75.00–$100.00 | All leaf veins distinct; wear only at tips. Original luster visible in protected areas. |
| AU-50 to AU-55 | Choice Circulated — "Slider" | $125.00–$175.00 | Often mistaken for Mint State. Friction on King's eyebrow is the key diagnostic. |
| MS-60 to MS-62 | Mint State — Bag Marks | $200.00–$325.00 | Uncirculated but with contact marks or dull luster from the soft sterling alloy. |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated — "Sweet Spot" | $350.00–$500.00 | Good eye appeal and minimal marks. The most liquid collector grade. |
| MS-64 | Near Gem | $600.00–$850.00 | Exceptional luster and strike. Strong buy for long-term holders. |
| MS-65 | Gem — Investment Grade | $1,500.00–$2,200.00 | Very rare. Superb eye appeal. Registry Set quality. |
| MS-66 | Superb Gem — Museum Grade | $3,500.00+ | Finest surviving examples. Competition between Registry Set builders pushes prices toward $4,000+ per 2026 market reports. |
Business Strike vs. Specimen: a Business Strike (left) shows flowing cartwheel luster; a Specimen (right) displays the characteristic matte/satin surface, squared rim, and razor-sharp detail of the specially prepared Ottawa strikes. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
ℹ️ The MS-64 to MS-65 Value Cliff
The jump from MS-64 (~$600–$850) to MS-65 (~$1,500–$2,200) is exponential — roughly a 2–3× multiplier for a single grade point. This reflects the statistical scarcity of fully pristine surfaces on a soft sterling-silver coin that was handled in bulk. For coins already valued at $600+, professional certification by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC is essential before any sale.
1911 Canadian Dime — Specimen Strike (SP)
Specimen coins were struck with specially polished dies on selected planchets, at slow speed, to achieve razor-sharp detail and a distinctive matte or satin finish. These were sold in complete sets — it is estimated that fewer than 100 complete Specimen sets were produced in 1911. Important: The source document quotes Specimen values in USD. These figures are presented as stated in the source and have not been converted.
| Grade | Est. Value (USD — see note) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SP-60 to SP-64 | $600–$1,200 USD | Authentic Specimen characteristics required: squared rims, matte/satin fields, razor-sharp leaf veins. |
| SP-65 to SP-67 | $2,500–$6,000+ USD | Finest known. Provenance (e.g., Belzberg, Cook, Pittman collections) adds a premium of 20–30% per market data. |
Values in CAD for Business Strikes represent typical market prices as of February 2026. Specimen values are quoted in USD as reported in the source document. For the complete denomination price guide, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.
Most Valuable 1911 Canadian Dime Varieties
A. Trophy-Level: The 1911 Specimen Strike
The most valuable 1911 dimes in existence are the Specimen strikes sold in complete sets to the collecting public. With an estimated production of fewer than 100 complete sets, individual 1911 Specimen dimes are genuinely rare artifacts. Their defining characteristics — squared rims, matte/satin (non-reflective) surface texture, and razor-sharp inner detail on leaf veins and crown — are unmistakable once you know what to look for. They are not "Proof" coins in the modern mirror-finish sense; their velvety, non-reflecting fields are what set them apart from both Business Strikes and later mirror Proofs.
Coins with documented provenance — meaning their ownership history traces to famous collections such as those of Belzberg, Cook, or Pittman — command a premium of 20–30% above undocumented examples of the same grade, according to market data cited in the source document. The dispersal of the George Cook collection in 2019 reset upward expectations for high-grade George V coinage, a trend covered by CoinsWeekly's analysis of Heritage Auctions.
B. Findable Variety: Repunched Date
Close-up of the 1911 date showing a Repunched Date: a ghost image or shelf on the final digit "1" caused by the hand-punching process used in London. Major doubling clearly visible to the naked eye commands a 50–100% premium. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
During the die production process in London, the date digits were punched by hand into the working dies. If the punch was not held perfectly steady, or if it was struck more than once to deepen the impression, a ghost image of the numeral appears alongside the primary digit.
- What to look for: A slight shelf, notch, or secondary outline on the final digit "1" in "1911". Use a 5x–10x loupe under good light.
- Minor doubling (barely visible under magnification): approximately a 10–20% premium over standard grade value.
- Major doubling (clearly visible to the naked eye): approximately a 50–100% premium over standard grade value.
- Attribution: ICCS may note "Repunched Date" on the certification certificate, which significantly improves liquidity and price realization at auction. See the Saskatoon Coin Club's guide to Canadian 10-cent varieties for additional attribution context.
C. The "Broad Leaves" Standard — No Variety Hunt Required
Unlike the 1913 issue (which introduced the "Small Leaves" reverse), all 1911 10-cent coins use the "Broad Leaves" design. The wide, intricately veined maple leaves with the wide ribbon bow are inherent to the year. There is no "Small Leaves" 1911 dime to search for — the variety is moot for this date.
D. Authentication Warning: The "Dei Gra" Myth
⚠️ Counterfeit Alert: No 1911 Dime Bears "Dei Gra"
A persistent legend suggests that some smaller-denomination 1911 coins may exist with the Dei Gratia inscription restored as patterns. Extensive research confirms that no 1911 10-cent coins with Dei Gra were struck. Any 1911 dime offered with this inscription is almost certainly a counterfeit or an altered coin — most likely a 1912 coin with the date tampered. Verify the obverse legend reads exactly GEORGIVS V REX ET IND: IMP: with no additional Latin abbreviations before purchasing.
1911 Canadian Dime Identification Guide
Use this 30-second checklist to confirm you are holding an authentic 1911 Canadian 10-cent piece and to determine its finish category before estimating value.
The definitive "Godless" check: the 1911 obverse legend (left) reads GEORGIVS V REX ET IND: IMP: with no DEI GRA. A 1912 obverse (right) includes the restored DEI GRA: abbreviation. If your coin has DEI GRA and the date reads 1911, do not purchase it — it is not genuine. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
30-Second Identification Checklist
- Monarch Check. Obverse: King George V faces left, wearing the Imperial State Crown and parliamentary Robes of State. The collar of the Order of the Garter is visible. Designer: Sir Bertram Mackennal.
- Legend Check (Critical). Read the obverse legend carefully: it must read GEORGIVS V REX ET IND: IMP: — and nothing more. There is NO DEI GRA or D. G. anywhere on the coin. This single feature defines the 1911 "Godless" type.
- Reverse Check. The reverse shows "10 CENTS" and "1911" beneath a St. Edward's Crown, surrounded by the Broad Leaves maple wreath. The ribbon bow at the base is wide and deeply cut.
- Edge Check. The edge is reeded (milled). A plain edge on a coin presented as a 1911 dime is a red flag.
- Magnet Test. Hold a strong magnet to the coin. An authentic 1911 dime will show zero magnetic attraction. The 92.5% silver / 7.5% copper alloy is non-magnetic. If the coin sticks to the magnet, it is not a genuine 1911 dime.
- No Mint Mark. There is no mint mark on authentic 1911 dimes. All were struck at the Royal Mint's Ottawa Branch. Any mark visible on the coin is not an original mint mark for this issue.
- Finish Identification — The Critical Step.
- Business Strike: Flowing cartwheel luster visible when the coin is rotated under a single light source. Contact marks (bag marks) are normal. Rims are rounded from the striking process.
- Specimen: Fields are matte or satin — non-reflective with a fine-grain velvety texture. Rims are sharply squared off (not rounded). All inner detail (leaf veins, hair strands on the King's portrait, crown jewels) is razor-sharp. No flow lines. These came in complete presentation sets; finding one loose is unusual.
- Strike Quality Check. The 1911 obverse was struck from hastily prepared dies at slightly lower relief than subsequent years. On Business Strikes, the King's ear and the central band of the crown may appear flat — this reflects a weak strike, not wear. To distinguish weak strike from wear: wear changes the color and texture of the metal (brighter, smoother), while a weak strike retains the original luster texture even in the flat areas.
Key grading checkpoints on the 1911 Canadian dime. Obverse high points: the King's eyebrow (first to show friction), the band of the crown (jewels merge below VF-20), and the ear (can be flat from a weak strike — not wear). Reverse: central leaf veins (first to lose detail) and the cross at the top of the St. Edward's Crown. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Surface condition types on sterling silver 1911 dimes. Left: original charcoal-grey toning with iridescent blue or violet undertones — prized by purists. Center: blast-white (likely dipped) — acceptable if cartwheel luster is intact, but may trade at a discount. Right: PVC damage showing green residue — a "details" grade defect that eliminates numismatic premium. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Surface and Toning Guide
"Original Skin": Coins that have never been cleaned typically develop a dark charcoal-grey toning, sometimes with iridescent blue or violet undertones. This is natural sulphur-based toning on the .925 silver alloy and is highly prized by specialist collectors as proof that the surface has never been disturbed.
"Blast White": Brilliant, untoned coins often result from past dipping in thiourea (a chemical toning remover). If the cartwheel luster is fully intact and the surfaces are not flat or lifeless, a well-dipped coin remains market-acceptable — though it may trade at a modest discount to a beautifully original coin. If the surfaces look flat and dull despite being bright, the coin has been over-dipped and stripped of its original surface metal. Pass on these examples.
⚠️ PVC Damage Risk on Old Storage
1911 dimes stored in soft plastic flips from the 1970s or 1980s may develop green slime (PVC residue) that pits the sterling silver surface. This is a "Details — Environmental Damage" defect with ICCS/PCGS/NGC and eliminates all numismatic premium regardless of the coin's underlying detail. If you see green residue, the coin requires professional conservation with pure acetone — never nail polish remover, which contains impurities that cause further damage.
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Cleaning with any abrasive, polish, or household product strips the original luster and leaves hairlines visible under 5x magnification. A cleaned coin is graded "Details" by any major grading service and loses all numismatic premium regardless of its level of detail or date rarity.
1911 Canadian Dime Value FAQs
What is a 1911 Canadian dime worth?
It depends entirely on condition. A heavily worn example (G-4 to VG-8) is worth approximately $7.00–$12.00 CAD, essentially its silver melt value. A collector-grade Very Fine example trades for $35–$55 CAD. In Choice Uncirculated (MS-63), value reaches $350–$500 CAD, and a Gem (MS-65) commands $1,500–$2,200 CAD. Rare Specimen strikes are quoted in USD and range from $600–$1,200 (SP-60 to SP-64) to $2,500–$6,000+ (SP-65 to SP-67) per source data. See the full value chart for every grade band.
Is the 1911 Canadian dime silver?
Yes. All 1911 Canadian dimes are struck in 92.5% silver / 7.5% copper (Sterling Silver), the same alloy standard used for fine jewellery. The coin contains approximately 0.0691 troy ounces of net silver. With silver trading near $99–$100 CAD per troy ounce in February 2026, the melt value is approximately $7.00 CAD. A quick magnet test confirms authenticity: genuine 1911 dimes are entirely non-magnetic.
What makes the 1911 Canadian dime "Godless"?
The traditional Latin phrase Dei Gratia (By the Grace of God) was accidentally omitted from the master dies prepared in London during the rushed transition from Edward VII to George V. The resulting obverse legend reads GEORGIVS V REX ET IND: IMP: with no divine acknowledgment. When the coins entered circulation in Canada, the public, clergy, and press immediately condemned the omission as a "Godless" act. The government demanded a correction; new dies restoring Dei Gra: were ready for 1912. The 1911 issue is therefore a unique one-year type across all denominations (1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢).
Is the 1911 Canadian dime rare?
In circulated grades, no — 2,737,584 were struck, and many survive. In Gem Mint State (MS-65+), yes — the soft 92.5% sterling alloy scratched and marked easily during production and counting, making pristine, bag-mark-free examples genuinely scarce. At the Specimen level (fewer than an estimated 100 complete sets produced), it is very rare. As a one-year "Godless" type, even common circulated examples command a narrative premium over non-key dates.
What is a Specimen strike and how do I identify one?
Specimen coins were made for collectors using specially polished dies struck at slow speed on selected planchets. The 1911 Specimen has a matte or satin (not mirror) surface, squared rims, and razor-sharp internal detail — leaf veins and the King's hair are crisper than on any Business Strike. They are not "shiny" in the traditional sense; their non-reflective velvety fields are the key visual marker. They were sold as part of complete presentation sets, so finding one loose is unusual. Any coin labeled a 1911 Specimen should be certified by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC before purchase.
How big is the value gap between MS-64 and MS-65?
Enormous: MS-64 trades for approximately $600–$850 CAD while MS-65 commands $1,500–$2,200 CAD — roughly a 2–3× jump for a single point on the Sheldon scale. This cliff exists because pristine sterling silver surfaces are statistically scarce: the soft alloy accumulated bag marks during production and bulk handling. For any coin already graded AU-58 or above, professional certification by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC is strongly warranted given the value difference.
What is a Repunched Date variety on a 1911 dime worth?
If you see a slight ghost, shelf, or secondary outline on the final "1" in the date, you may have a Repunched Date variety. Minor doubling (requiring a loupe to see) adds approximately 10–20% to the standard grade value. Major doubling — clearly visible to the naked eye — adds approximately 50–100%. Attribution on a certification certificate from ICCS significantly improves the coin's liquidity at auction. Refer to the Saskatoon Coin Club's 10-cent variety guide for further attribution context.
Is there a 1911 dime with "Dei Gra" — could it be a rare pattern?
No. Extensive research confirms that no 1911 Canadian 10-cent coins with the Dei Gratia inscription were ever struck — not as patterns, not as trials. The omission was uniform across all five circulating denominations in 1911. Any coin presented as a 1911 dime with Dei Gra visible on the obverse is almost certainly a counterfeit or an altered coin (most likely a 1912 dime with the date tampered). Reject it and report the offer to the auction house or dealer.
Should I get my 1911 Canadian dime graded?
It depends on the coin's estimated grade and the cost of certification. For coins below EF-40 (value under ~$75), the cost of grading at ICCS, PCGS, or NGC typically exceeds the marginal premium certification adds. For EF-40 and above — and especially for any coin that appears to be Mint State — certification is strongly advised. The price difference between an AU-58 (~$150) and a genuine MS-62 (~$250) or MS-65 ($1,500+) creates a strong incentive for overgrading in raw (unslabbed) sales. ICCS is the Canadian specialist standard; PCGS and NGC are globally accepted and command premiums with international Registry Set collectors.
Why does the silver price affect my 1911 dime so much?
With silver near $100 CAD per troy ounce and each 1911 dime containing ~0.0691 troy ounces, the metal value is approximately $7.00 CAD regardless of grade. This is the price below which no rational seller will transact — it represents the coin's worst-case liquidation value. A high silver price also drives the melting of heavily worn "junk silver" 1911 dimes into bullion, which over time reduces the surviving circulated population and may gradually increase the relative rarity of even common grades like F-12 and VF-20.
Methodology & Sources
Values in this guide are synthesized from 2024–2026 market data as presented in the source document. Key references include the NGC World Coin Price Guide for Canada 10 Cents KM-17 (1911); live silver spot prices via SilverPrice.org and AU Bullion Canada; variety attribution from the Saskatoon Coin Club's 10-cent variety guide; auction context from Heritage World Coin Auctions (NumisBids, Canada session, Aug 2019) and Stack's Bowers auction archives; collection dispersal data from CoinsWeekly / Heritage Auctions; and historical context from the Royal Canadian Mint's centennial 1911 Silver Dollar commemorative page and Coin World's reporting on the 1911 Dollar auction result. All CAD values reflect market conditions as of February 2026. Coin values are dynamic; consult a professional numismatist or certified auction house for current appraisals. This guide covers standard business-strike and Specimen values only.
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.