1915 Canadian 25-Cent (Quarter) Value Guide — George V Sterling Silver Key Date

The 1915 Canadian 25-cent piece is the key date of the George V silver quarter series (1911–1936). With a mintage of only 242,382 pieces — a figure driven by the disrupted economics of the First World War's second year — it is the scarcest standard-issue quarter of the entire reign, anchoring every serious Canadian silver collection and commanding meaningful premiums at every grade level. For values across the full span of Canadian quarters, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.

1915 Canadian 25-cent piece: obverse (left) showing the MacKennal effigy of King George V, crowned and robed, with the restored DEI GRA legend; reverse (right) showing the Blakemore maple wreath design surmounted by the Tudor Crown and the inscription CANADA 1915.

1915 Canadian Quarter Composition & Melt Value

The Sterling Silver Standard

The 1915 Canadian quarter is struck in Sterling Silver — an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. This was the standard for Canadian silver coinage for the full first half of the George V reign, maintained until 1919 when wartime economic pressures reduced the purity to 80%. The 7.5% copper content provides the hardness necessary for a circulating coin; pure silver would wear away too quickly for practical commerce.

Each 1915 quarter contains 0.1734 troy ounces of pure silver, giving every example — regardless of grade — an intrinsic bullion floor value that rises and falls with the silver spot price. This precious metal content is a significant distinction from modern clad coinage: even a heavily worn G-4 example retains inherent silver value.

How Sterling Silver Ages: Toning Dynamics

The 7.5% copper in the alloy is chemically reactive. Over more than a century, copper molecules near the coin's surface have reacted with atmospheric sulfur and oxygen, producing toning. Sterling silver tones differently from the 80% silver coins of 1920–1967: it tends to develop deeper, richer patinas — gunmetal blues, charcoal greys, and iridescent violets. Undisturbed original toning is highly prized by collectors and is considered aesthetically superior to a coin that has been chemically dipped to restore a brilliant white surface.

Physical Properties as Authentication Diagnostics

The coin's specifications form the first line of counterfeit detection:

• Weight: A genuine example weighs 5.83 grams. Use a precision scale accurate to ±0.01g. Base-metal counterfeits will typically read differently.
• Specific Gravity: The genuine coin has a specific gravity of 10.36, which can be verified by the Archimedes displacement method (weighing the coin in air versus submerged in water). A significantly different result indicates the coin is not genuine sterling silver.
• Magnetic Properties: Sterling silver (92.5% silver, 7.5% copper) contains no iron or steel. A genuine 1915 quarter is therefore completely non-magnetic. If a magnet attracts the coin, it is not sterling silver and is almost certainly counterfeit. This simple test takes seconds and costs nothing.

1915 Canadian Quarter Value Chart by Grade

The grade is the primary value driver for the 1915 Canadian quarter. A difference of five points on the Sheldon scale can translate to thousands of dollars. The table below reflects estimated market buy prices in Canadian dollars as of early 2026, based on auction data from Geoffrey Bell Auctions, Heritage Auctions, and dealer networks. Because the 1915 exists only as a business strike — no confirmed Proof-Like or Specimen strikes are recognized for this date — a single table covers the full value spectrum.

Grade progression for the 1915 Canadian quarter: heavily worn G-4/VG-8 (left), collector-grade VF-30 (centre), and near-mint AU-50 (right). Each step up the Sheldon scale represents a dramatic value increase for this key date. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1915 Canadian Quarter — Business Strike Values

All values in CAD as of early 2026. MS-65+ prices are theoretical estimates based on rare auction appearances; a competitive bidding situation between two serious registry-set collectors may push realized prices significantly higher. Values reflect coins with original, undisturbed surfaces only.

Grading Diagnostic Reference: Reading the MacKennal Obverse

Key grading points on the 1915 Canadian quarter obverse: (1) Crown jewels and center diamond — wear here determines separation between VF-20 and VF-30; (2) King's eyebrow — the primary friction point in AU grades; (3) Shoulder fold — luster preservation here distinguishes EF-40 from AU-50. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

The MacKennal obverse contains specific diagnostic checkpoints that define each grade boundary:

• G-4: The King's head is a flat outline. The crown is worn flat with no separation between band and arches. The ear is worn away or merged into the head.
• VG-8: Full separation between the legends and the rim. The ear shows a faint outline. Crown arches are distinct from the band.
• F-12: The crown band is clearly separate from the hair, though the jewels are not yet visible. The ear is fully formed.
• VF-20: Crown jewels are visible but worn. The center diamond in the crown band is approximately 50% visible.
• VF-30: The center diamond is nearly full. The pearls on the crown arches are distinct, though not fully round. The shoulder fold (robe clasp) is clear.
• EF-40: The center diamond is sharp. The pearls are rounded. The King's eyebrow — a high point — shows only light friction. Halo luster is visible in the protected areas around the legend letters.
• AU-50 to AU-58: Full luster required for AU-55 and AU-58. Wear is restricted strictly to the highest points: the cheekbone, the eyebrow, and the center of the crown arches.
• MS-60+: Zero wear. Graded entirely on luster quality, surface marks (bag marks, scratches), and eye appeal.

For the complete denomination price guide, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.

Most Valuable 1915 Canadian Quarter Varieties

The 1915 Canadian quarter does not carry overdates, doubled dies, or major die varieties of the kind found in some other series. Its value differentials are instead driven by two well-documented factors: strike quality and surface aesthetics. Both create meaningful price differences between technically identical grades.

1. The Strong Strike "CA" Variant — 10–20% Premium

The George V quarter design contains an inherent mechanical tension. The high relief of the King's bust on the obverse sits directly opposite the letters "CA" and "AN" of CANADA on the reverse. The metal pressure required to fill the deep recesses of the King's shoulder often left insufficient metal flow to fully define the corresponding reverse lettering — resulting in a weakly struck "CA" even on a coin that never circulated.

Reverse comparison at high magnification: Weak Strike (left) showing soft, partially formed "CA" in CANADA and flattened denticles above — a manufacturing limitation, not wear. Strong Strike (right) showing full, sharp serifs on "CA" and crisp, fully raised denticles. Strong Strike examples carry a documented 10–20% premium over the same technical grade. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

• How to identify it: Examine the letters "CA" in CANADA on the reverse under 10× magnification. On a Strong Strike, the serifs are sharp, distinct, and fully formed, and the denticles immediately above CANADA are crisp. On a Weak Strike, these elements appear soft or partially formed — even on an uncirculated coin with full luster.
• Premium: A Strong Strike example commands a 10–20% premium over a Weak Strike example of the same technical grade.
• Critical distinction: A weak "CA" is a manufacturing characteristic, not evidence of wear. Experienced graders account for this known design flaw; it does not reduce the technical grade but does affect the coin's desirability and market price.

2. Toning Aesthetic Variants — From Discount to Value Multiplier

For the 1915 quarter — a century-old sterling silver coin — the character of the surface patina constitutes a distinct value category at high grades:

Three toning profiles on George V sterling silver quarters: Blast White (left) — brilliant but often indicating past chemical dipping; Original Grey (centre) — natural century-old silver patina, preferred in circulated grades; Cabinet Toning (right) — vibrant iridescent blues, golds, and violets from long-term storage, a significant value multiplier on high-grade examples. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

• Blast White: A brilliant, bright-silver coin. While visually striking, extreme whiteness in a 100-year-old sterling silver piece frequently indicates the coin has been chemically dipped — washed in an acid or silver-dip solution to remove toning. Collectors discount suspected-dipped coins; dealers identify them quickly. Genuine blast-white originals do exist on high-grade specimens with fresh-die surfaces, but they must survive scrutiny from experienced numismatists.
• Original Grey: The natural, undisturbed patina of sterling silver after a century — a warm, consistent grey-silver tone. This is the preferred aesthetic for grades VG through EF, where it signals honest age and unaltered surfaces.
• Cabinet Toning: Vibrant iridescent toning in blues, golds, reds, and violets, acquired from long-term storage in oak cabinets or sulphur-containing paper envelopes. On a high-grade 1915 quarter, exceptional cabinet toning is a massive value multiplier. A "Monster Toned" example is effectively a unique piece of wearable art and can realize multiples of the standard guide price when it reaches auction.

3. The Specimen Strike Controversy — Exercise Extreme Caution

There is ongoing numismatic debate about whether any 1915 Specimen strikes exist. Specimen coins are produced with higher press pressure on specially prepared planchets, intended for presentation or archival purposes, and differ from business strikes in having satin or matte surface textures. However, no widely recognized, confirmed Specimen strikes of the 1915 quarter appear regularly in census reports from PCGS, NGC, or ICCS. The Royal Canadian Mint was not focused on collector presentation sets during 1915, a year dominated by wartime production priorities.

1915 Canadian Quarter Identification Guide

Use this checklist to confirm you have a genuine 1915 Canadian quarter, identify its finish and grade tier, and detect the most common counterfeits. Work through all steps before assigning a value.

30-Second Identification Checklist

1. Monarch Check: The obverse shows a left-facing bust of King George V, crowned and robed in state dress. The obverse legend reads GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: REX ET IND: IMP: The critical phrase DEI GRA ("By the Grace of God") distinguishes this coin from the controversial 1911 "Godless" issue, which accidentally omitted that phrase. The effigy is the work of Sir Edgar Bertram MacKennal. The King wears the Imperial State Crown, adorned with a jeweled band, alternating crosses pattée and fleurs-de-lis, and pearls on the arches.
2. Reverse Check: The reverse shows two maple boughs arching upward, tied at the bottom by a ribbon bow (the Blakemore wreath design), surmounted by the Tudor Crown. The inscription reads 25 CENTS and CANADA 1915 in a classic serif typeface.
3. Date Check: Confirm the year reads 1915 — not 1913 or 1916. Under 10–20× magnification, verify the shape of the final digit: the genuine "5" has a straight top horizontal bar, a short vertical downstroke, and a bulbous, open bottom loop. An altered "3" or "6" will show a pinched or deformed bottom loop and tool marks in the surrounding field.
4. Edge Check: The edge is reeded — uniform vertical grooves running around the full circumference. The reeding should be consistent in depth and spacing. Excessively sharp wire edges or irregular spacing are indicators of a struck counterfeit.
5. Magnet Test: Apply a magnet to the coin. A genuine 1915 quarter is struck in 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper — no iron or steel whatsoever. It must be completely non-magnetic. Any attraction to a magnet means the coin is not sterling silver and is almost certainly counterfeit. This test takes three seconds and costs nothing.
6. Weight Check: Place the coin on a precision scale (±0.01g accuracy). A genuine example weighs 5.83 grams. Base-metal counterfeits typically differ; worn genuine examples will weigh slightly less due to metal loss from circulation.
7. Specific Gravity Check (Advanced): The genuine coin has a specific gravity of 10.36, verifiable using the Archimedes displacement method. Weigh the coin dry, then weigh it fully submerged in water and calculate. A result significantly different from 10.36 indicates the coin is not sterling silver.
8. Finish Identification: The 1915 quarter exists only as a business strike. High-grade examples will show a cartwheel luster — a flowing, rotating sheen visible when the coin is tilted under a light source. There are no confirmed Proof-Like (PL) or Specimen (SP) strikes for this date. If a coin appears to have deeply mirrored fields or a matte/satin texture, have it examined by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC before paying any premium for those characteristics.
9. Strike Quality Check: On the reverse, examine the letters "CA" in CANADA. A Strong Strike shows sharp, fully formed serifs with crisp denticles above; a Weak Strike shows soft, partially formed letters. This is a manufacturing characteristic — not wear — and affects desirability but not the technical grade.
10. Mint Mark Check: There are no mint marks on genuine 1915 Canadian quarters. Standard for the Ottawa Mint during this era — no mark is required or expected on the coin.

Date alteration detection: genuine "1915" numeral 5 (top) showing smooth metal flow lines and the characteristic bulbous open bottom loop. Suspected altered date (bottom) showing tool marks in the surrounding field and a pinched, deformed bottom loop — classic signs of an altered 1913 or 1916 quarter. Always examine under 10–20× magnification before purchasing. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

The Added-Date Alteration: The Most Common Counterfeit

The most frequently encountered fraud is a genuine 1913 or 1916 quarter with the final digit altered to read "5" using a graving tool. At a glance, the coin is indistinguishable; only magnification reveals the truth:

• Tool marks: Under 10–20× magnification, look for tiny scratches or grooves in the field immediately surrounding the digit. Genuine metal flow lines should be smooth and consistent with the rest of the field. Any polished, textured, or scratched area near the "5" is a red flag.
• The shape of the "5": On a genuine 1915 quarter, the "5" has a straight top bar, a short vertical downstroke, and a bulbous, open bottom loop. Altered "3"s typically show a bottom loop that is pinched or closed; altered "6"s show an overlong top arc with abnormal curvature.
• Date position: The 1915 date was hand-punched into the working die at the Ottawa Mint. Compare the vertical alignment of each digit relative to the denticles below it against authenticated plate coin images from recognized references. If the "5" is shifted noticeably higher or lower than on genuine examples, the coin may be altered.

Die-Struck Counterfeits

Modern counterfeits are struck from fake dies, not altered from genuine coins. Key indicators include a "mushy" or "soapy" softness to the King's hair detail (which should show distinct, crisply struck strands on a genuine coin), irregular or wire-edged reeding, and a harsh or chrome-like shine inconsistent with genuine silver luster. Counterfeits struck in correct-weight silver alloy are increasingly sophisticated; when in doubt, submit to ICCS, PCGS, or NGC.

Two essential authentication tools for the 1915 Canadian quarter: a precision scale confirming the genuine 5.83g weight (left), and a magnet demonstrating zero attraction on genuine sterling silver (right). Magnetic attraction or incorrect weight are immediate disqualifiers.

Grading Services: ICCS, PCGS, and NGC

For any 1915 quarter in EF-40 condition or better — where values begin at $800 CAD — independent certification is essential before buying or selling:

• ICCS (International Coin Certification Service): The Canadian standard. Employs conservative grading well-suited to the George V series. Widely accepted by Canadian dealers and at Canadian auction houses.
• PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service): The global standard. Hard plastic slabs provide excellent long-term protection and liquidity at international auction. PCGS-graded coins typically carry a small premium.
• NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company): A credible alternative to PCGS, widely accepted by Canadian and international dealers.
• CAC Sticker: A green CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation) bean sticker on a PCGS or NGC slab indicates that independent experts have verified the coin is high-end for its assigned grade. This endorsement carries particular weight for condition-rarity dates like the 1915, where the difference between a low-end and high-end specimen within the same grade is substantial.

1915 Canadian Quarter Value FAQs

Methodology & Sources

Values presented in this guide are estimated market buy prices in Canadian dollars as of early 2026, synthesized from auction data attributed to Geoffrey Bell Auctions and Heritage Auctions, along with dealer network pricing, as documented in the source material. Grading references follow the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins — the definitive Canadian numismatic reference — and align with ICCS and PCGS grading standards for the George V series. Strike variant premiums (Weak vs. Strong "CA") are as documented in the source material. Authentication diagnostics follow numismatic best practices described in the source document, cross-referenced with standard counterfeit detection methodology for altered-date counterfeits.

Source note: The source document for this guide did not provide specific linkable URLs to external pricing databases, auction archives, or grading service price guides. Readers are encouraged to cross-reference current values with the Canadian Quarter Value Guide, ICCS population reports, PCGS CoinFacts, and the current edition of the Charlton Standard Catalogue for the most up-to-date market data. All values are estimates and market-dependent; actual realized prices may differ. This guide covers standard (non-error) values only. Errors are outside the scope of this guide.