1942 Canadian 10-Cent (Dime) Value Guide
Find out what your 1942 Canadian dime is worth. Grade-by-grade CAD price guide, silver melt floor (~$6.67), the 'Doubled 19' variety premium (2×–3×), and the elusive wartime Specimen strike (~$5,000+). Updated February 2026.
Every 1942 Canadian dime contains 0.06 troy oz of silver, giving it a hard melt floor of approximately $6.67 CAD at current spot prices. Most circulated examples trade at that floor. In top certified grades, values climb steeply: $400–$700 CAD at MS65 and $1,100–$1,500+ CAD at the rare MS66 level.
- Circulated (G4–VF20): Silver melt (~$6.50–$7.00 CAD)
- EF40:$8–$12 CAD
- AU50:$15–$25 CAD
- MS63 (Choice Uncirculated):$90–$125 CAD
- MS65 (Gem):$400–$700 CAD
- MS66 (Superb Gem):$1,100–$1,500+ CAD
- Specimen (SP) — Wartime Rarity:$5,000+ CAD (Est.)
Is it silver? Yes — all 1942 Canadian dimes are 80% silver (.800 fine). A magnet will not attract a genuine example; the coin is non-magnetic. Silver content establishes a value floor regardless of grade.
Shiny or mirror-like coin? The RCM did not sell public Specimen sets in 1942. A highly reflective 1942 dime is almost certainly a well-preserved Business Strike, not a Specimen. Genuine wartime Specimens are among the rarest Canadian coins known and represent a potential five-figure find.
"Doubled 19" variety? Doubling visible on the '1' and '9' of the date carries a 2× to 3× premium over a standard example in lower grades. See the variety guide →
All values in CAD as of February 2026. See the full grade-by-grade value chart →
Struck at the Royal Canadian Mint's Ottawa facility during the height of the Second World War, the 1942 Canadian 10-cent coin is a study in wartime stability. While the 5-cent piece of the same year was dramatically transformed — stripped of its nickel in favour of Tombac brass to support the war effort — the dime held the line, retaining its 80% silver composition and Emanuel Otto Hahn's iconic Bluenose schooner reverse without alteration. With a mintage of 10,214,011, it is widely available in circulated grades as a bullion-grade silver coin, yet it becomes a genuine condition rarity above MS65, rewarding patient collectors willing to search for a blazing gem strike. For a full survey of Canadian dime values across every year and monarch era, visit our Canadian Dime Value Guide.
The 1942 Canadian 10-cent coin: Thomas Humphrey Paget's bare-headed portrait of King George VI (obverse, left) and Emanuel Otto Hahn's Bluenose schooner under full sail (reverse, right). The date 1942 appears in the right field of the reverse, just behind the mainsail.
Note: Striking errors such as off-center strikes and clipped planchets exist for 1942 but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.
1942 Canadian Dime Composition & Silver Melt Value
Silver Content and Melt Value
The 1942 Canadian dime's actual silver weight (ASW) is 0.0600 troy ounces. With silver at approximately $111 CAD per troy ounce as of 2026, this translates to a melt value of approximately $6.67 CAD. The calculation is straightforward: 0.06 troy oz × current silver spot price (CAD/oz) = melt value. This silver floor means even a heavily worn 1942 dime retains intrinsic value and will never trade for less than its metal content. Live Canadian silver spot rates are tracked by Canada Gold's silver price page.
Canada maintained the .800 fine silver standard (80% silver, 20% copper) from 1920 through the mid-20th century. This alloy is slightly harder than Sterling silver (.925) and ages distinctively: the 20% copper content promotes rich, deep toning in gunmetal blues, greys, and charcoal. Original brilliant-white examples are uncommon and command a visual premium with collectors. Vivid rainbow toning — more common on US 90% silver coins — is the exception rather than the rule on Canadian .800 silver.
Magnet Test: Fastest Authentication Check
The 1942 dime's 80% silver and 20% copper composition is non-magnetic. Hold a magnet over the coin: a genuine example will not attract it. Any 1942-dated 10-cent coin that sticks to a magnet is not genuine silver — it is either a later base-metal issue or a counterfeit. This single test takes under three seconds and is the most important authentication step for any George VI silver dime.
Weight as an Authentication Diagnostic
The precise weight of a genuine 1942 dime is 2.3328 grams. A reliable digital scale accurate to ±0.01 g should confirm this weight. A coin significantly lighter or heavier than spec warrants further scrutiny. This is especially relevant when distinguishing a genuine .800 silver dime from a plated counterfeit or a wrong-planchet anomaly.
Die Alignment
All 1942 Canadian dimes use Medal Alignment (↑↑): hold the coin vertically and flip it top-over-bottom — the reverse image should remain upright. This contrasts with US coins, which use Coin Alignment (↑↓). A 1942 dime whose reverse appears upside-down after a vertical flip would indicate a major rotated-die error, which is outside the scope of this guide.
ℹ️ The Melt Floor in Context
Because every 1942 dime is worth at least its silver content, circulated examples are traded as bullion by dealers who buy them by weight rather than by individual grade. This means low-grade examples (G4–VF20) are effectively commodities, not numismatic items. The collector premium only becomes meaningful — and meaningful rapidly — once a coin reaches the Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated range and above.
1942 Canadian Dime Value Chart by Grade & Finish
The 1942 dime's market follows a steep exponential value curve. Circulated examples from G4 through VF20 effectively trade at their silver melt floor. A modest numismatic premium emerges at EF40 and grows through the About Uncirculated range. The curve turns sharply upward at MS65 — the threshold where the coin graduates from "available" to genuinely scarce — and reaches trophy territory at MS66. All values in CAD, as of February 2026, sourced from market estimates in the reference literature.
Side-by-side grade comparison of the 1942 Canadian dime: a circulated EF40 example (left) showing light high-point wear and subdued luster, versus a blazing MS65 Gem (right) with full cartwheel luster and sharp Bluenose sail detail. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
1942 Canadian Dime — Business Strike (Circulation)
| Grade | Grade Description | Market Value (CAD) | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| G4–VF20 | Circulated — worn to moderately worn | ~$6.50–$7.00 (silver melt) | Common — bullion grade |
| EF40 | Extremely Fine — light wear on high points only; traces of original luster | $8–$12 | Common |
| AU50–AU58 | About Uncirculated — full luster broken on cheekbone and sail bellies | $15–$25 | Available |
| MS60–62 | Uncirculated — no wear, but significant bag marks and scuffs | $45–$65 | Moderate |
| MS63 | Choice Uncirculated — good luster, average strike, some marks in focal areas | $90–$125 | Scarce |
| MS64 | Near Gem — strong luster, few marks; entry-level investment grade | $120–$180 | Scarce |
| MS65 | Gem — blazing luster, sharp strike, clean cheek and sails | $400–$700 | Very Scarce |
| MS66 | Superb Gem — intense cartwheel luster, full strike; flawless to naked eye | $1,100–$1,500+ | Rare |
Values represent typical market estimates in CAD as of February 2026. The MS64–MS65 spread is the single most critical valuation threshold: the price jumps from ~$180 to $400+ as the coin crosses into Gem territory. PCGS auction records confirm that MS66 examples are among the most infrequently offered 1942 dimes — see the PCGS auction record for a 1942 10-cent MS66. Current NGC price guidance is available at the NGC Canada 10-Cent KM-34 price guide (standard business strike) and the NGC KM-34 price guide (alternate holder population).
💡 The MS64→MS65 Value Cliff
The jump from MS64 (~$120–$180) to MS65 (~$400–$700) is the most important single threshold for the 1942 dime. A coin at the boundary is worth having evaluated by a professional grading service. However, grading submission fees typically run $30–$50+ per coin — this cost only makes financial sense if the coin has a genuine chance of reaching MS64 or above. Lower-grade coins are far better treated as bullion.
1942 Canadian Dime — Specimen (SP) Strike
The only documented collector finish for the 1942 dime other than the standard Business Strike is the extraordinary Specimen strike. Unlike the post-war era when the RCM routinely sold Specimen sets to collectors and diplomats, in 1942 no Specimen sets were made available to the public. Only a handful of Specimen-quality coins were struck, almost certainly for VIP presentations, senior mint officials, or archival records.
| Finish | Characteristics | Estimated Value (CAD) | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen (SP) | Struck twice on specially prepared planchet with polished dies; matte or satin fields with sharp, squared-off rims. Distinct from Business Strike luster. | $5,000+ (Est.) | Extremely Rare |
⚠️ Wartime Specimen Identification Warning
A genuine 1942 Specimen dime is one of the rarest Canadian coins of the George VI era. If you believe you have one, do not clean it, do not attempt to remove toning, and do not handle it without cotton gloves. Submit it to ICCS or PCGS/NGC for authentication before drawing any conclusions about value. An improperly identified or cleaned coin will be graded "Details" (damaged) regardless of its origin.
Values in CAD. For the complete denomination price guide, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.
Most Valuable 1942 Canadian Dime Varieties
The 1942 Canadian dime has two categories of non-error collectible variants: the accessible and findable "Doubled 19" date variety, and the ultra-rare Specimen strike. The Specimen is the trophy-level prize described in the value chart above. The "Doubled 19" is the variety a collector can realistically cherry-pick from dealer bins.
Trophy-Level: The Specimen Strike
As described in the value chart, a genuine 1942 Specimen dime is estimated at $5,000+ CAD. Only a few examples are believed to exist. This wartime rarity — produced without public sale, for internal mint or diplomatic purposes — represents the definitive prize of the 1942 dime series. Its extreme rarity means that price estimates are theoretical; if one were to appear at a major Canadian or international auction, the realized price would depend entirely on the buyer pool and registry-set competition at that moment.
Findable Variety: The "Doubled 19" Date
The most practically important variety for everyday collectors is the Doubled Date ("Doubled 19"). This variety displays a shelf-like secondary image alongside the digits "1" and "9" in the date 1942 on the reverse.
Close-up diagnostic view of the 1942 Canadian dime "Doubled 19" variety: the secondary shelf impression running alongside the upright of the '1' and the curve of the '9' in the date field, visible at 10× magnification. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Technical Diagnosis
This variety is attributed to Machine Doubling (also called Mechanical Doubling or Ejection Doubling). It occurs when the die shifts very slightly during the strike, dragging metal and creating a flat, shelf-like secondary impression beside the primary digit. This contrasts with a true Hub Doubling (Doubled Die), where the secondary image has rounded contours matching the primary. Older reference catalogs, including Zoell, may label this variety as "Re-engraved" — modern microscopic analysis identifies it as mechanical doubling. If you encounter a 1942 dime labelled "Re-engraved Date" in a dealer's inventory, it is almost certainly this same variety.
To find it: examine the date at 10× magnification under a good light. Look for a flat, shelf-like ledge of metal on the side of the "1" and the inner curve of the "9". The "2" typically shows little or no doubling.
| Coin Type | Grade (Example) | Approximate Value (CAD) | Premium Over Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 1942 Dime | VF20 | ~$5 | — |
| "Doubled 19" Variety | VF20 | ~$15 | ~2×–3× standard price |
| "Doubled 19" Variety | Mint State (MS) | Significant premium | Variety collectors pay well; exact MS premium varies by grade and clarity of doubling |
Variety pricing sourced from George Manz Coins — Canadian Silver 10-Cent Price List. Note: the standard VF20 example price of ~$5 in this comparison reflects dealer cherry-pick pricing for the variety context; the summary melt floor for the grade range in the main value table is ~$6.50–$7.00 CAD.
💡 Cherry-Picking Strategy
Because the "Doubled 19" is not widely known outside specialist circles, it is regularly found in dealer bins priced as a standard 1942 dime. Examining the date field with a 10× loupe before purchase costs nothing and can turn a $6–$7 bullion coin into a $15–$30 variety find. The premium is most reliably realised when the doubling is sharp and the coin is in at least VF condition.
1942 Canadian Dime Identification Guide
Use this 30-second checklist to confirm what you have — and to distinguish it from potential lookalikes.
30-Second Identification Checklist
- Monarch Check: The obverse should show a bare-headed (uncrowned) male portrait facing left. This is King George VI, designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget. The surrounding legend reads GEORGIVS VI D:G:REX ET IND:IMP: — note the presence of IND:IMP: (Emperor of India), which was removed after 1947. If you do not see IND:IMP:, this is not a 1942 dime.
- Reverse Check: The reverse should show the Bluenose schooner under full sail, heeling to the left, with CANADA at the top and 10 CENTS at the bottom. The date 1942 appears in the right field behind the mainsail.
- Date Check: Confirm the date reads 1942 in the right reverse field. Then examine the "1" and "9" at 10× magnification for the shelf-like shelf of the "Doubled 19" variety (see Variants section).
- Edge Check: The edge should be reeded (milled) with fine parallel grooves around the full circumference. A plain or smooth edge is not correct for this coin.
- Magnet Test (Composition Verification): Hold a magnet to the coin. A genuine 1942 Canadian dime is non-magnetic — the 80% silver, 20% copper alloy is not attracted to a magnet. Any attraction to a magnet immediately flags the coin as suspect: it is either a later base-metal dime, a wrong-planchet, or a counterfeit. This is the single fastest authentication step.
- Mint Marks: There are no mint marks on the 1942 Canadian dime. All examples were struck at the Ottawa facility. No distinguishing mark appears on standard circulation or Specimen strikes. If you see a mintmark on what appears to be a 1942 Canadian dime, re-examine the coin — it may be a different issue.
- Finish Identification (Critical Step):
- Business Strike: Standard cartwheel luster — a spinning, rolling brilliance visible as the coin is tilted under light. Contact marks and small scuffs are expected on circulated and lower Mint State examples.
- Specimen (SP): Distinct matte or satin fields with sharply squared-off rims and precise device detail. The fields lack the mirror-like reflectivity of a Proof but are clearly differentiated from the cartwheel luster of a Business Strike. Genuine 1942 Specimens are extraordinarily rare — do not assume a "nice" coin is a Specimen without expert verification.
Finish comparison for the 1942 Canadian dime: a standard Business Strike (left) showing cartwheel luster and typical minor contact marks, alongside a Specimen-quality surface (right) with matte satin fields and crisp, squared-off rim detail. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Magnet test: a genuine 1942 Canadian dime (80% silver, 20% copper) is non-magnetic and will not be attracted or deflected by a strong magnet. A coin that sticks is not genuine .800 silver.
⚠️ The Newfoundland 10-Cent Confusion — A Critical Lookalike
A coin that resembles a 1942 Canadian dime but turns out to be the 1942 Newfoundland 10-cent is a valuable find, not a problem — but you must know which you have. The 1942 Newfoundland dime was minted in Ottawa and, unusually for that series, omits the 'C' (Canada) mint mark that normally distinguishes Ottawa-struck Newfoundland coins. The obverse is identical (George VI by Paget). The reverse, however, is completely different: it features an ornamental design specific to Newfoundland pre-Confederation coinage, not the Bluenose schooner. The Newfoundland dime's mintage was approximately 292,000 — far scarcer than the 10.2 million Canadian dimes struck in the same year. If you are sorting through a bin of "1942 dimes" and discover the Newfoundland reverse, set it aside for separate valuation. Reference: Newfoundland ten-cent coinage history (Wikipedia) and the NGC Newfoundland 10-Cent KM-20 price guide.
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Cleaning a 1942 dime — whether with polish, a cloth, or household chemicals — destroys the original luster and leaves hairlines clearly visible under magnification. A cleaned coin is graded "Details — Cleaned" by all major grading services and loses all numismatic premium regardless of its underlying detail quality. An MS65-quality 1942 dime that has been cleaned is worth no more than its silver content.
1942 Canadian Dime Value FAQs
What is a 1942 Canadian dime worth?
The value depends entirely on grade. Circulated examples (G4–VF20) trade at their silver melt value — approximately $6.50–$7.00 CAD at current silver prices. A coin in Extremely Fine (EF40) commands $8–$12 CAD, while About Uncirculated (AU50) reaches $15–$25 CAD. Gem Mint State (MS65) examples are significantly scarcer and are valued at $400–$700 CAD. The rare MS66 Superb Gem commands $1,100–$1,500+ CAD. The elusive Specimen strike is estimated at $5,000+ CAD.
Is a 1942 Canadian dime silver?
Yes. Every 1942 Canadian 10-cent coin was struck in .800 fine silver — 80% silver and 20% copper — with an actual silver weight (ASW) of 0.0600 troy ounces. Canada maintained this silver standard from 1920 through the mid-20th century. The magnet test quickly confirms silver content: genuine .800 silver is non-magnetic and will not be attracted to a magnet. The silver melt value at approximately $6.67 CAD (based on ~$111 CAD/troy oz as of 2026) sets an absolute floor on what any 1942 dime is worth.
Is a 1942 Canadian dime rare?
In circulated grades, no — the mintage of 10,214,011 makes it a common date in the George VI series. However, the combination of high wartime production volume and rushed die work means coins with a full strike (complete detail in the King's ear and the Bluenose rigging) are genuinely scarce. Grade is the true rarity driver: MS65 examples are described as very scarce, and MS66 coins are rare to extremely rare, with very few confirmed in major grading service populations. The Specimen strike is an extreme rarity, with only a handful believed to exist.
What makes a 1942 Canadian dime valuable?
Three factors drive value above the silver melt floor. First, grade: the coin follows an exponential price curve, with the MS65 Gem threshold representing the most critical market break. Second, strike quality: a full strike showing complete King's hair detail and sharp Bluenose sail lines is required for top grades and is inherently uncommon on a high-volume wartime issue. Third, the "Doubled 19" variety: detectable doubling on the date digits adds a 2×–3× premium in lower grades and attracts specialist collector premiums in Mint State. The Specimen finish, if genuine, transcends all other value drivers.
What is the "Doubled 19" variety and how do I find it?
The "Doubled 19" is a Machine Doubling variety where the die shifted slightly during striking, leaving a flat, shelf-like secondary impression alongside the "1" and "9" of the date on the reverse. Examine the date at 10× magnification under a strong light: look for a flat ledge of metal on the upright of the "1" and the inner curve of the "9". A standard VF coin trades near melt; a clear "Doubled 19" in VF is listed by specialist dealers at approximately $15 CAD — a 2×–3× premium. This variety is often mislabelled "Re-engraved Date" in older inventory lists. Pricing reference: George Manz Coins Canadian Silver 10-Cent list.
What is a Specimen strike and how is it different from a regular 1942 dime?
A Specimen coin is struck twice on a specially prepared planchet using polished dies. The result is a distinct finish — typically matte or satin fields with sharply squared-off rims and exceptional device detail — that is visually different from both the cartwheel luster of a Business Strike and the deep mirror fields of a full Proof. In 1942, the RCM did not offer Specimen sets for public sale; only a small number of Specimen-quality coins were produced, almost certainly for VIP presentations or archival use. If you believe you have a 1942 Specimen dime, consult ICCS, PCGS, or NGC for professional authentication before drawing any value conclusions.
Should I get my 1942 Canadian dime graded?
Only if the coin appears to be in the MS64 range or above — the "investment entry point." Grading submission fees (typically $30–$50+ per coin, depending on the service tier) only justify the cost when the coin has a realistic chance of achieving a grade whose market value significantly exceeds the fee. For circulated examples trading at silver melt, professional grading adds no economic value. For a coin that appears blazing white and nearly flawless, certification by ICCS (the domestic Canadian standard) or PCGS/NGC (which drives liquidity in North American auction markets) is well worth considering.
What is the difference between ICCS, PCGS, and NGC grading for 1942 dimes?
ICCS (International Coin Certification Service) is the domestic Canadian grading standard and is considered the most authoritative and conservative grader for Canadian coinage. An ICCS-graded 1942 dime is universally respected in the Canadian market and is the most liquid format for domestic dealer trade. PCGS and NGC are major US-based services; PCGS-holdered Canadian coins often trade at a premium in US auction markets and online venues due to the registry-set collector ecosystem and holder recognition. Astute Canadian dealers sometimes "cross" coins between holders — buying a PCGS MS65 hoping it upgrades at NGC, or vice versa. For the 1942 dime, all three services are credible; choice of service often depends on where you intend to sell.
How do I distinguish the 1942 Canadian dime from the 1942 Newfoundland 10-cent coin?
Check the reverse design immediately. The Canadian dime features the Bluenose schooner under full sail with the legends CANADA and 10 CENTS. The Newfoundland 10-cent features a completely different ornamental reverse design. The 1942 Newfoundland dime was also struck in Ottawa and — unusually — omits the 'C' mint mark that normally identifies Ottawa-struck Newfoundland coins, which is why the two are often confused when sorted by obverse alone. The Newfoundland issue had a mintage of approximately 292,000 versus 10.2 million for the Canadian coin, making it significantly scarcer in all grades. See the Newfoundland ten-cent coinage article for additional historical background.
Methodology & Sources
Values in this guide reflect market estimates drawn from the reference literature and auction records current as of February 2026. Primary sources include the NGC Canada 10-Cents KM-34 price guide, the PCGS auction records for the 1942 10-cent MS66, the Numista 10-Cent George VI reference (KM-34), the Royal Canadian Mint's official 10-cent denomination page, and dealer price lists including George Manz Coins Canadian Silver 10-Cent. Silver melt calculations use spot prices sourced from Canada Gold. Variety analysis draws on the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins. Specimen strike documentation references the Norweb Collection catalogue (Stack's Bowers). All prices are in Canadian Dollars (CAD). Market values represent typical realized or estimated prices; individual coins may sell above or below these ranges depending on eye appeal, toning, and buyer competition. This guide covers standard (non-error) issues 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.