1911 Canadian Quarter ('Godless') Value Guide
Find out what your 1911 Canadian 'Godless' quarter is worth. Complete CAD price guide by grade and finish (Business Strike & Specimen), auction records, silver melt value, and authentication tips for the famous DEI GRATIA-missing coin.
Most circulated 1911 Canadian quarters — the famous “Godless” type — are worth $16–$425 CAD depending on grade, anchored by a silver melt floor of approximately $14.00–$15.50 CAD. Certified Gem examples (MS-65) reach $1,540–$2,200+ CAD, and top-grade MS-67 specimens have sold for $8,000+ CAD.
- Worn (G–VG, junk silver):$16–$25 CAD — slight premium above ~$14.00–$15.50 silver melt
- Fine (F-12 / F-15):$25–$45 CAD
- Very Fine (VF-20 / VF-30):$50–$100 CAD
- About Uncirculated (AU-50 / AU-55):$184–$425 CAD
- Gem Mint State (MS-65):$1,540–$2,200+ CAD
- Specimen (SP-65):$1,800–$2,500 CAD
Found in change or a family collection? Your coin is worth at least its silver content (~$14–$15.50 CAD melt) plus a collector premium for the historic “Godless” design. Is it shiny with flat matte or satin fields? It may be a scarce Specimen strike — have it evaluated by a grading service before selling; Specimen coins start at approximately $780 CAD (SP-62). Is it silver? Yes — genuine 1911 quarters are 92.5% sterling silver and completely non-magnetic; if a magnet sticks, suspect a counterfeit. All values in CAD as of February 2026. See full value chart →
The 1911 Canadian 25-cent coin holds a unique place in Dominion coinage history as the one-year-only “Godless” quarter — struck during King George V’s accession year without the traditional Dei Gratia (“By the Grace of God”) phrase in the obverse legend. The omission triggered a brief but memorable public controversy and was permanently corrected from 1912 onward, making every 1911 quarter a mandatory one-year type. With a mintage of 1,721,341, worn examples remain accessible to most collectors, yet Gem Mint State and Specimen survivors are genuine condition rarities. For a complete overview of Canadian 25-cent coin values across all eras and designs, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.
The 1911 Canadian quarter obverse: King George V in the Robes of State, designed by Sir E. Bertram MacKennal. The legend reads GEORGIVS V REX ET IND:IMP: — DEI GRATIA is conspicuously absent, defining every 1911 quarter as “Godless” by type.
Note: Manufacturing errors such as off-center strikes may exist for this year but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.
1911 Canadian Quarter Composition & Silver Melt Value
The 1911 Canadian quarter is struck to the sterling silver standard — 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper — that governed Canadian silver coinage from 1870 through 1919. Each coin contains 0.1734 troy ounces of actual silver weight (ASW). The weight specification was adjusted slightly in 1910 from the earlier 5.81 g standard to the current 5.83 g, a useful authentication diagnostic: a coin weighing meaningfully less than 5.83 g warrants close scrutiny.
Silver Melt Value (February 2026)
Based on silver spot prices of approximately $81–$88 CAD per troy ounce as of February 2026, the intrinsic silver melt value of a 1911 Canadian quarter is approximately $14.00–$15.50 CAD, calculated as 0.1734 oz ASW multiplied by the prevailing spot price. Because all examples — even heavily worn ones — carry a modest “Godless” collector premium, market transactions typically occur above melt.
⚠️ Canadian Currency Act — Melting Prohibition
The Currency Act of Canada prohibits the melting of Canadian coins. Melt value figures in this guide serve as a reference floor for grading economics, not as a recommendation to melt coins.
Magnetic Test — Critical Authentication Step
Sterling silver is non-magnetic. A genuine 1911 Canadian quarter will show absolutely no attraction when a magnet is held against it. A coin that sticks to a magnet is almost certainly a counterfeit struck on a plated-steel planchet — a well-documented threat from Chinese-manufactured forgeries circulating since approximately 2010. Confirm weight (5.83 g on a digital scale) and diameter (23.62 mm with calipers) as secondary checks before any detailed visual examination.
1911 Canadian Quarter Value Chart by Grade & Finish
The 1911 Canadian quarter’s value operates on two tracks: a commodity floor set by its silver content for worn examples, and a steep numismatic premium for certified high-grade and Specimen-finish coins. Three separate tables cover the documented finish types. Values in CAD as of February 2026.
1911 Canadian Quarter — Business Strike, Circulated (AG to AU-58)
| Grade Range | Value (CAD) | Market Notes |
|---|---|---|
| G / VG (AG–VG-8) | $16–$25 | Primarily silver melt (~$14–$15.50 CAD). Small “Godless” collector premium above spot price. |
| F-12 / F-15 | $25–$45 | Popular entry point for budget collectors. Design and legend remain clearly readable. |
| VF-20 / VF-30 | $50–$100 | The “sweet spot” — crown jewels visible, coin presentable. ICCS-certified examples command the higher end of this range. |
| EF-40 / XF-45 | $120–$165 | Scarce and highly liquid. Traces of luster visible in protected legends. |
| AU-50 / AU-55 | $184–$425 | Volatile; depends heavily on eye appeal and toning. A bright AU-55 with luster is often preferred by buyers over a dull MS-60. |
Grade comparison: left, a circulated VF-20 example with flattened crown jewels and merged beard detail; right, a Gem MS-65 with blazing cartwheel luster and sharply defined crown. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
1911 Canadian Quarter — Business Strike, Mint State (MS-60 to MS-67)
For a coin to achieve Mint State designation, there must be an absolute absence of wear. The grey friction visible on AU examples must not be present anywhere on the surfaces. Note that the letters CA in CANADA are frequently weakly struck — see the callout below for guidance on distinguishing strike weakness from wear.
| Grade | Value (CAD) | Market Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| MS-60 | $390–$500 | Entry-level investment. Often bag-marked or weakly struck; surfaces may appear dull. |
| MS-62 | $525–$600 | Choice uncirculated. Good dealer liquidity. |
| MS-63 | $660–$800 | Standard quality grade. Prices spike for coins with attractive original toning. |
| MS-64 | $1,060–$1,300 | Very scarce. Dealers view as “solid quality.” Few contact marks and no marks on the King’s cheek. |
| MS-65 | $1,540–$2,200+ | The Rarity Breakpoint. Population drops significantly above MS-64. Heritage Auctions (2019): an MS-65 realized $1,440 USD (~$1,900 CAD); see NGC Auction Central records for 1911 Canada 25¢. |
| MS-66 | $3,220–$4,500+ | Condition Census level. Heritage Auctions (2020): an MS-66 realized $660 USD (~$900 CAD) and an MS-66+ realized $1,560 USD (~$2,100 CAD); see PCGS Auction Prices for 1911 25¢. Only a handful appear at auction annually. |
| MS-67 | $5,900–$8,000+ | Top Pop. Rarely traded. Prices can exceed guide values in competitive Registry-Set auctions. |
🔎 The “Weak CA” Issue — Strike Weakness vs. Wear
The letters CA in CANADA on the reverse are frequently soft or incomplete on genuine 1911 quarters. This occurs because the high relief of the King’s shoulder on the obverse directly opposes this area on the reverse, preventing sufficient metal flow during striking. A coin can still be certified MS-65 with a weakly struck CA — provided the luster is entirely unbroken over that area. Wear looks like a colour and texture change (grey, dull, flat); a weak strike retains its full, uninterrupted luster over the soft letters. A fully struck CA commands a premium within any given grade.
1911 Canadian Quarter — Specimen (SP-62 to SP-65)
Specimen strikes were produced at the Ottawa Mint for inclusion in presentation sets sold to collectors or gifted to dignitaries. Their exact mintage is unrecorded but is estimated to be very low — likely fewer than a few hundred complete sets. The 1911 Specimen finish is typically matte or satin, with razor-sharp device detail, squared-off “wire rims,” and flat fields that entirely lack the radial cartwheel luster of a business strike. Because distinguishing a raw Specimen from a high-grade business strike is unreliable without expert review, certification by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC is essential before buying or selling.
| Grade | Value (CAD) | Market Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SP-62 | ~$780 | Entry Specimen. Scarce; ICCS or PCGS certification required to confirm Specimen status. |
| SP-63 | $810–$1,000 | Collector standard. Matte or satin fields and wire rims should be clearly present. |
| SP-64 | ~$1,470 | Very scarce. Strong demand from type and George V specialists. |
| SP-65 | $1,800–$2,500 | Gem Specimen. Often linked to prestigious provenance collections such as Belzberg and Cook. A significant numismatic artifact. |
Business Strike vs. Specimen finish on a 1911 Canadian quarter. The Business Strike (left) displays radial cartwheel luster from metal flow lines. The Specimen (right) shows flat matte or satin fields with no cartwheel effect, razor-sharp squared wire rims, and exceptional device sharpness. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Cleaning removes original luster and leaves hairlines visible under magnification. A cleaned 1911 quarter receives a “Details — Cleaned” designation from ICCS, PCGS, and NGC and loses all numismatic premium regardless of underlying sharpness or strike quality. Preserve original surfaces at all times.
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 1911 Canadian Quarter Varieties & Premium Finishes
The 1911 Canadian quarter is described by specialists as a remarkably clean year for die varieties. There are no documented re-punched dates, doubled-die obverses, or bead varieties for this issue. The primary collector distinctions are finish type (Business Strike vs. Specimen) and strike quality (particularly the CA in CANADA). Two additional items require specific collector awareness.
The “Godless” Type — A Mandatory One-Year Issue
Every single 1911 Canadian 25-cent coin is “Godless” by definition — the absence of Dei Gratia is not a scarce variety within the year but the defining characteristic of the entire 1911 issue. There is no “with DEI GRATIA” variety of the 1911 quarter. If you encounter a coin dated 1911 that includes those words, it is either a counterfeit or an altered 1912 coin — the inscription was permanently restored beginning in 1912. Because all 1911 quarters share this characteristic, the “Godless” label functions as a one-year type designation that drives collector demand across every grade, not a scarce sub-variety within it.
Trophy-Level: High-Grade Business Strikes and Gem Specimens
The strongest market premiums belong to:
- MS-66 and MS-67 Business Strikes — Condition Census examples with only a handful appearing at auction each year. MS-67 examples are valued at $5,900–$8,000+ CAD, with actual realized prices dependent on strike quality and eye appeal. The PCGS auction price archive for the 1911 25¢ documents the significant premium that “Plus” designations and exceptional toning add above standard guide values.
- SP-65 Specimens — Gem-quality Specimen strikes with matte or satin finish, wire rims, and exceptional crown and wreath detail from original presentation sets. These reach $1,800–$2,500 CAD and are frequently associated with provenance from distinguished collections, including the Belzberg and Cook holdings, which consistently realized premiums of 20–30% above market trend when offered at auction.
Collector Awareness: The 2011 Commemorative Double-Date Re-Issue
In 2011, the Royal Canadian Mint released a special edition proof set commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1911 coinage, using the identical George V “Godless” design. These modern coins are easily distinguished from the originals by three features:
- The double date 1911–2011 appearing on the coin itself
- A deep mirror Proof finish with cameo-frosted devices on mirror-polished fields — an entirely different appearance from the matte or satin of an original 1911 Specimen, or the cartwheel luster of a 1911 business strike
- Modern Royal Canadian Mint encapsulation and collector packaging
These 2011 re-issues trade at their issue price or silver spot value, far below even a modestly graded original 1911 quarter. Do not confuse them with the genuine historical coins.
1911 Canadian Quarter Identification Guide
Use this checklist to confirm exactly what you have before consulting the value tables. For any example grading VF-30 or above (value exceeding approximately $100 CAD), professional certification is strongly recommended.
30-Second Authentication & Identification Checklist
- Monarch Check. The obverse portraits King George V facing left, wearing the Imperial State Crown and Robes of State. The effigy was designed by Sir E. Bertram MacKennal. If the portrait faces right or depicts a different monarch, you have a different year or denomination entirely.
- Legend Check — The “Godless” Test (Definitive). Read the obverse legend carefully: it must read GEORGIVS V REX ET IND:IMP: — with colons after IND and IMP. There is no DEI GRATIA or DEI GRA anywhere on a genuine 1911 quarter. If you see those words on a coin dated 1911, it is a counterfeit or an altered 1912 coin. This single legend check is the most definitive diagnostic available.
- Date Check. The date 1911 appears at the bottom of the reverse, below the wreath knot. There are no dual or commemorative dates on genuine 1911 quarters. A coin bearing the date range “1911–2011” is a modern re-issue, not the original coin.
- Reverse Design Check. Confirm the reverse shows the Wreath of Maple surrounding 25 CENTS and CANADA, with the St. Edward’s Crown at the 12 o’clock position and the date at the bottom. The CA in CANADA may be weakly struck — this is a known strike characteristic, not an authentication concern.
- Edge Check. The edge must be reeded (vertical serrations running around the perimeter). A plain or incorrectly reeded edge is a significant red flag.
- Magnet Test (Composition Verification). Hold a neodymium magnet near the coin. A genuine 1911 quarter is 92.5% sterling silver and will show zero attraction whatsoever. Any attraction to the magnet — even weak — strongly indicates a counterfeit on a plated-steel planchet. This is the fastest and most cost-effective initial screening test.
- Weight and Diameter Verification. A genuine 1911 quarter weighs 5.83 g and measures 23.62 mm in diameter. A digital pocket scale accurate to 0.01 g and a digital caliper are inexpensive authentication tools. Significant deviation from these figures indicates a counterfeit or wrong-planchet coin. Contemporary (1911-era) base-metal fakes will also feel “greasy” and lack the crisp ring of silver when tapped on a hard surface.
- No Mint Marks. All 1911 Canadian quarters were struck at the Ottawa Mint. There are no mint marks on any genuine 1911 quarter — their absence is entirely standard. Do not look for an “O” or any other mark.
- Finish Identification (The Critical Value Step).
- Business Strike (MS): Displays “cartwheel” luster — radial lines of flowing light that rotate as the coin is tilted under a lamp. Contact marks from bulk handling are expected on lower MS grades.
- Specimen (SP): Flat matte or satin fields with no cartwheel flow lines. Razor-sharp squared-off “wire rims” where the field meets the edge. Exceptionally precise strike throughout. If your coin shows these characteristics — matte fields, wire rims, and superior sharpness — have it evaluated by NGC, PCGS, or ICCS before selling. Distinguishing a raw Specimen from a high-grade business strike is not reliable without expert certification.
The 1911 Canadian quarter reverse: Maple Wreath surrounding “25 CENTS / CANADA,” with the St. Edward’s Crown at top and date 1911 at bottom. The red circle highlights the CA in CANADA — the area most frequently affected by weak striking on genuine examples.
Close-up comparison of CA in CANADA at 10× magnification: left, a weakly struck example with soft, incomplete letters — yet unbroken luster confirms no wear; right, a fully struck example with sharp, crisp letterforms commanding a premium within grade. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Magnet test: a genuine 1911 sterling silver quarter shows zero attraction to a neodymium magnet (left, green tick). A counterfeit on a plated-steel planchet sticks firmly (right, red X). This is the fastest preliminary authentication test available. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
1911 Canadian Quarter Value FAQs
What is a 1911 Canadian quarter worth?
Value depends on grade and finish. Worn examples trade at approximately $16–$25 CAD (largely silver content). Mid-grade circulated coins (VF-20/VF-30) bring $50–$100 CAD. Certified Gem examples in MS-65 are valued at $1,540–$2,200+ CAD, while the rarest top-grade MS-67 examples reach $5,900–$8,000+ CAD. Specimen coins start at approximately $780 CAD (SP-62) and reach $1,800–$2,500 CAD in Gem SP-65.
Is the 1911 Canadian quarter silver?
Yes. Every genuine 1911 Canadian quarter is struck in sterling silver — 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper — containing 0.1734 troy ounces of actual silver. At February 2026 silver prices of approximately $81–$88 CAD per troy ounce, the intrinsic melt value is approximately $14.00–$15.50 CAD. Sterling silver is non-magnetic; if a magnet attracts your coin, it is not a genuine 1911 quarter.
What makes the 1911 quarter “Godless” — and is that a manufacturing error?
The “Godless” designation refers to the absence of the Latin phrase Dei Gratia (“By the Grace of God”) from the obverse legend. This was not a manufacturing error in the traditional sense but the result of extreme haste at the Royal Mint in London when preparing master dies for King George V’s accession year — engravers simply omitted the phrase, and the Canadian government proceeded with the imperfect dies due to pressing currency demand. Public outcry forced the restoration of DEI GRA from 1912 onward, making every 1911 Canadian coin a unique one-year type. It is a type characteristic shared by all 1911 denominations, not a scarce variety within the year. See the Stack’s Bowers overview of the 1911 Godless coinage for additional historical context.
Is the 1911 Canadian quarter rare?
In circulated grades, it is not particularly rare — 1,721,341 were struck and many survive in worn condition. However, it is a mandatory one-year type for every serious George V collector, which sustains consistent demand at all grade levels. In Gem Mint State (MS-65 and above) and in Specimen condition, the 1911 quarter is a genuine condition rarity, with populations in the single or low double digits for the finest examples. The combination of historical significance and condition scarcity drives the strong auction performance at the upper end of the market.
How do I tell if my 1911 quarter is genuine or a counterfeit?
Three quick tests: (1) Magnet test — genuine sterling silver is non-magnetic; a coin that sticks is almost certainly a plated-steel fake. (2) Weight and size — genuine coins weigh 5.83 g and measure 23.62 mm; significant deviation indicates a counterfeit. (3) Legend check — the obverse must read GEORGIVS V REX ET IND:IMP: with no DEI GRATIA; if those words appear on a coin dated 1911, it is a counterfeit or an altered 1912 coin. For any example valued at approximately $100 CAD or more (VF-30 and above), certification by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC provides the strongest authentication guarantee available.
What is the difference between a Business Strike and a Specimen?
A Business Strike was produced for general circulation and shows radial “cartwheel” luster — flowing lines of reflected light that rotate as the coin is tilted. A Specimen was struck for presentation sets using specially prepared dies and planchets, resulting in flat matte or satin fields with no cartwheel effect, razor-sharp design elements, and characteristic squared-off “wire rims.” The 1911 Specimen finish is matte or satin — not the deep mirror of later Canadian Proof issues. Raw Specimens must be certified by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC before buying or selling, as visual distinction from a high-grade business strike is unreliable without expert examination.
Should I get my 1911 Canadian quarter graded?
Certification is recommended for any example grading VF-30 or above, where value typically exceeds approximately $100 CAD. The Canadian market standard is ICCS (International Coin Certification Service), whose conservative grading is widely trusted by Canadian dealers. PCGS and NGC are preferred for higher-value examples (MS-65 and above) intended for international sale, as their hard plastic holders offer superior physical protection and their auction-price databases are widely referenced by buyers worldwide. For heavily worn examples trading near silver melt value, grading fees are unlikely to be economically justified.
What is the 2011 commemorative quarter, and how do I avoid confusing it with the original?
In 2011, the Royal Canadian Mint released a special edition proof set commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1911 coinage, using the identical George V “Godless” design. These modern coins are identifiable by three unmistakable features: (1) the double date 1911–2011 on the coin itself; (2) a deep mirror Proof finish with cameo-frosted devices on polished mirror fields — an appearance that does not exist on any genuine 1911 original; and (3) modern RCM encapsulation and collector packaging. The 2011 re-issues trade at issue price or silver spot value, significantly below even a modestly worn original 1911 quarter. Always check for the double date first.
Side-by-side: a genuine 1911 Canadian quarter (left — single date, cartwheel business-strike luster) vs. a 2011 commemorative re-issue (right — “1911–2011” double date, deep mirror Proof finish with cameo devices). These are completely different coins at very different price points. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Methodology & Sources
Values in this guide reflect typical market prices as of February 2026 and are drawn from the following primary sources:
- Coins and Canada — 25 Cents 1911–1921 Pricing (primary Canadian retail pricing reference)
- NGC Price Guide — Canada 25 Cents KM 18 (1911) (international grading service price guide)
- NGC Auction Central — 1911 Canada 25¢ MS Auction Records
- PCGS Auction Prices — 1911 25¢
- Stack’s Bowers — Did You Know That Canadian Coinage of 1911 is “Godless”? (historical context)
- Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian Coin Photo Grading Guide (George V 25¢) (grading diagnostics)
- Numista — 25 Cents George V (without DEI GRATIA), Canada (technical specifications)
- Royal Canadian Mint — Faces of the Monarch (portrait and design provenance)
- Coin World — 1911 Silver Dollar Auction Report (provenance and market context for 1911 Godless coinage)
Market values are estimates based on publicly available auction results, dealer price lists, and third-party price guides current as of the date stated. Actual transaction prices depend on certification holder, eye appeal, toning, provenance, and market conditions at the time of sale. This guide covers standard (non-error) values only. All prices are in Canadian Dollars (CAD).
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.