1958 Canadian 25-Cent (Quarter) Value Guide
What is a 1958 Canadian quarter worth? Complete price guide by grade and finish — Business Strike and Proof-Like including Heavy Cameo. 80% silver floor ~$16.50 CAD. February 2026.
Every 1958 Canadian quarter contains 0.150 troy oz of silver worth approximately $16.50 CAD at February 2026 spot prices — that is the hard floor for even the most worn example. Most circulated coins trade at $16.50–$20.00. Gem uncirculated (MS-65) examples reach $150–$250, while the rarest Proof-Like Heavy Cameo specimens command $800–$1,200+.
- Circulated (G4–AU50):$16.50–$20.00 — tracks silver spot price
- Uncirculated (MS-60–MS-62):$25.00–$40.00
- Choice–Near Gem (MS-63–MS-64):$40.00–$85.00
- Gem Mint State (MS-65):$150–$250
- Superb Gem (MS-66):$300–$500
- Proof-Like, No Cameo (PL-65):$50–$75
- Proof-Like Heavy Cameo (PL-65 HC):$450
- Proof-Like Heavy Cameo (PL-67 HC):$800–$1,200+
Is it silver? Yes — the 1958 quarter is 80% silver and will not attract a magnet. Any genuine example, however worn, is worth its silver content of approximately $16.50 CAD. Shiny coin or from an old set? It is likely a Proof-Like (PL) coin — not a rare high-grade business strike. The Heavy Cameo designation on PL coins is the single largest value multiplier for this date, turning a $50–$75 coin into a $450+ specimen. All values in Canadian Dollars (CAD) as of February 2026. See full value chart →
The 1958 Canadian quarter is a prized piece of the 1953–1964 Elizabeth II silver series, struck in 80% silver with Mary Gillick's Young Head portrait on the obverse and Emanuel Hahn's iconic Caribou on the reverse. Produced during the centennial year of British Columbia's establishment as a Crown colony, the quarter itself retained the standard Caribou design while commemorative honours went to the 1958 Totem Pole silver dollar. With 9,336,910 business strikes and 18,259 Proof-Like sets issued, value for this date is driven by condition and cameo quality rather than die variety hunting. For values across all Canadian quarter dates, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.
Note: Errors such as clipped planchets, off-center strikes, and wrong-metal strikes exist for this date but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.
1958 Canadian Quarter Composition & Melt Value
The 1958 Canadian quarter is defined metallurgically by its ".800 fine" silver standard — 80% silver and 20% copper — the alloy used by the Royal Canadian Mint for 25-cent pieces from 1920 through 1967. Pure silver would be too soft for circulation; the copper addition hardens the planchet to withstand decades of pocket wear while preserving substantial intrinsic value.
Silver Content and Melt Value
Each 1958 quarter contains an actual silver weight (ASW) of 0.150 troy ounces and approximately 1.16 grams of copper. At the February 2026 silver spot price of approximately $109 CAD per troy ounce, the formula produces an intrinsic value of approximately $16.35 CAD, which the market prices as a floor of approximately $16.50 CAD. This melt floor means no genuine 1958 quarter — regardless of wear, damage, or ugly toning — trades below that threshold in a rational market. Track current Canadian silver prices at SilverPrice.org (CAD).
⚠️ Canadian Currency Act — Melting Prohibited
Melting Canadian coins of the realm is prohibited under the Currency Act of Canada. Selling circulated 1958 quarters to bullion dealers who acquire them for legal refining is common practice; private home melting is not permitted.
Magnetic Properties as Authentication
The 80/20 silver-copper alloy is diamagnetic — it will not attract a magnet. This is the fastest field test for authenticating a 1958 quarter. Touch any rare-earth or common magnet to the coin: a genuine 1958 specimen will show zero attraction. Any coin that sticks to the magnet is either a post-1967 nickel quarter (pure nickel, strongly magnetic), a modern plated-steel quarter (also magnetic), or a base-metal counterfeit. As silver spot prices climb, the incentive for forgery increases; the magnet test should be the first step in any authentication. A genuine 1958 quarter also weighs exactly 5.83 grams — significant deviation on a non-worn coin is a red flag.
Magnet test diagnostic: a genuine 1958 Canadian quarter (80% silver / 20% copper) is diamagnetic — the magnet slides off with zero attraction. Post-1967 nickel and plated-steel quarters will stick firmly to the same magnet.
1958 Canadian Quarter Value Chart by Grade & Finish
The 1958 quarter is documented in two finish types: Business Strike (circulation coins) and Proof-Like (PL collector sets). Values are in Canadian Dollars (CAD) reflecting February 2026 market data with silver spot at approximately $109 CAD/troy oz. For graded population context and series-wide values, see the NGC Canada 25 Cents KM-52 Price Guide (1953–1964) and the Newcan Coins & Currency Canadian Price Guide.
1958 Canadian Quarter — Business Strike (Circulation)
Business strike mintage: 9,336,910. The 1958 business strike has no major cataloged die varieties, so value is determined entirely by preservation quality and strike sharpness. Two grading checkpoints are critical: (1) the Shoulder Fold — the strap on the Queen's gown, a high point prone to striking weakness; (2) the hair above the ear — individual strands must be clearly distinct on a true Gem. Coins that fail these tests are limited to MS-62 or MS-63 regardless of their uncirculated status.
| Grade Tier | Sheldon Grade | Market Value (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circulated | G4–AU50 | $16.50–$20.00 | Silver melt floor. Value tracks spot price directly. |
| Uncirculated | MS-60–MS-62 | $25.00–$40.00 | No wear but heavy bag marks or weak strike limits grade. |
| Choice Uncirculated | MS-63 | $40.00–$55.00 | Good eye appeal. Entry-level collector grade. |
| Near Gem | MS-64 | $65.00–$85.00 | Strong cartwheel luster required. Few distracting marks. |
| Gem Mint State | MS-65 | $150.00–$250.00 | Full shoulder fold and full hair above ear required. Investment entry point. |
| Superb Gem | MS-66 | $300.00–$500.00 | Condition rarity. Very few survivors at this level. |
| Top Pop | MS-67 | $1,500.00+ | Auction territory only. Extremely rare. |
A single bag mark in the open fields — behind the Queen's head on the obverse or in front of the Caribou on the reverse — can drop a coin from MS-65 to MS-63, representing hundreds of dollars in value. These focal-area fields are the most scrutinized real estate on the coin.
Grade comparison: a circulated 1958 quarter (left, approximately G4–VF) showing flat fields and worn cheek and neck fur versus a Gem MS-65 (right) with full booming cartwheel luster and sharp Caribou antler detail. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
1958 Canadian Quarter — Proof-Like (PL)
PL set mintage: 18,259. Proof-Like coins were struck using specially prepared dies on polished planchets and packaged in cardboard holders wrapped in cellophane. The Cameo designation — frosted, white-appearing devices contrasting against liquid-mirror fields — is the single most important value driver for 1958 PL quarters. Standard PL coins are accessible; Heavy Cameo examples represent only the very first strikes from a freshly prepared die pair and are genuinely scarce. For background on the Canadian PL collector market, see this NGC analysis of Canadian Proof-Like sets, and for graded population data, consult the PCGS Population Report for 1958 PL quarters.
⚠️ Original 1958 Cardboard Packaging Risk
The 1958 PL sets were housed in cardboard holders wrapped in cellophane. Over nearly seven decades, sulfur from the cardboard reacts with the silver, causing aggressive toning or blackening. If your set's cellophane is torn or brittle, transfer the coins to inert acrylic capsules or Mylar flips immediately. Do not clean or chemically dip the coins — surface disturbance destroys the numismatic premium, reducing the coin to melt value regardless of its underlying detail.
| Cameo Level | PL-65 | PL-66 | PL-67 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Cameo (Standard) | $50–$75 | — | — | Reflective fields, no frosting on devices. Basic set quality. |
| Cameo (CAM) | — | $150–$225 | — | Frosted devices, mirrored fields. Strong black-and-white look. |
| Heavy Cameo (HC) | $450 | $460 | $800–$1,200+ | Thick creamy frosting, deep mirror fields. First strikes from fresh dies. Rarest and most valuable 1958 quarter type. |
The Heavy Cameo effect is produced by the textured surface of a freshly sandblasted die, which wears away after the first few strikes. A PL-65 with no cameo trades at $50–$75; a PL-65 Heavy Cameo trades at $450 — nearly a 900% premium for cameo contrast alone. Grading services ICCS, PCGS, and NGC all assign cameo designations based on the depth and uniformity of the frosting.
Cameo progression on 1958 Canadian Proof-Like quarters: Standard PL (left) with bright but uniformly reflective portrait; Cameo PL (centre) with visible white frosting on the Queen; Heavy Cameo (right) with thick, creamy-white frosted devices against deep liquid-mirror fields — the rarest and most valuable finish for this date. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
All values in CAD as of February 2026. For the complete denomination price history across all years, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.
Most Valuable 1958 Canadian Quarter Varieties
The 1958 quarter has no major cataloged die varieties — no re-engraved date, no Large Date or Small Date distinction, and no known mule varieties. This is a "purist's coin" where value is driven by preservation grade and Proof-Like cameo quality rather than die taxonomy. However, two collectible phenomena are documented in the numismatic literature for this date.
Die Clashes
A die clash occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them, transferring a mirror impression of each design onto the opposing die face. On some 1958 quarters, two clash patterns are recognized:
- "Antler" Clash (Obverse): Traces of the Caribou's antlers appear in the open field behind the Queen's head or on her neck — transferred from the reverse die during the clash event.
- "Chin" Clash (Reverse): The outline of the Queen's chin or throat may be visible in the reverse field, particularly in the space in front of the Caribou's face.
Die clashes are not cataloged as separate variety numbers in standard Canadian coin references such as the Charlton Standard Catalogue, but they are actively pursued by variety and error collectors. Strong, well-defined clashes on high-grade examples are documented as adding approximately $20–$50 to a coin's market value. These are detectable by carefully tilting the coin under raking light at a shallow angle. For a reference framework on Canadian quarter die varieties, the Saskatoon Coin Club's Canadian 25-Cent Major Varieties guide provides a useful baseline.
Die clash on a 1958 Canadian quarter obverse: faint impressed antler lines from the reverse Caribou design appear in the open field behind the Queen's head — caused by the dies contacting each other without a planchet. Strong clashes add a modest market premium on high-grade examples. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Toning as a Collectible Premium
In the absence of cataloged die varieties, exceptional toning patterns effectively create "one-of-a-kind" collector pieces. Coins stored for decades in the original cardboard 1958 PL packaging develop target toning — concentric rings of gold, russet, and electric blue produced by sulfur compounds in the cardboard reacting with the silver alloy over time. When the color progression is vibrant and symmetrically centered on the coin, the numismatic market describes these examples as having "Monster Toning." Documented auction activity shows that an MS-64 example with spectacular rainbow target toning has outsold blast-white MS-66 specimens from the same date, purely on the basis of eye appeal and collector demand.
ℹ️ Machine Doubling Is Not a Variety
Online listings occasionally offer 1958 quarters described as having a "re-engraved date" or "doubled date." For the 1958 Elizabeth II quarter, no recognized re-engraved date variety exists. Any apparent doubling visible on the numerals is almost certainly Machine Doubling — a mechanical bounce of the die during striking that creates a shelf-like, flat duplication of detail. Machine doubling adds no numismatic value. Do not pay a premium for it. The "re-engraved 5" variety that does exist is on the Queen Victoria-era 1858 20-cent piece — a completely different coin separated by exactly 100 years.
Proof-Like Heavy Cameo: The Trophy Designation
The highest-value 1958 quarter type is not a die variety but a finish quality designation: the Proof-Like Heavy Cameo (PL HC). The frosted contrast on the Queen's portrait and Caribou, produced only by the very first impressions from a freshly prepared die pair, decays rapidly as the die wears under the press. PL HC coins represent a fraction of the 18,259 sets produced. At $800–$1,200+ for a PL-67 HC against $50–$75 for a standard PL-65 with no cameo, the Heavy Cameo designation multiplies value more dramatically than any die variety documented for this date.
1958 Canadian Quarter Identification Guide
Use this 30-second checklist to confirm you have a genuine 1958 Canadian quarter and determine its finish type before referencing the value table.
1958 Canadian 25-cent piece: obverse (left) with Mary Gillick's Young Head portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a laurel wreath, inscribed ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA; reverse (right) with Emanuel Hahn's Caribou, CANADA at top, 25 CENTS between the antlers, and date 1958. The small "H" at the base of the caribou's neck near the rim is Emanuel Hahn's artist monogram — not a mint mark.
30-Second Identification Checklist
Monarch Check (Obverse): The portrait must show a young Queen Elizabeth II wearing a laurel wreath — not a tiara or crown. This is Mary Gillick's First Portrait (Young Head / Laureate), used on Canadian coins from 1953 through 1964. If the portrait shows a tiara or diadem, you have a coin from a different era.
Reverse Design Check: The reverse must show a Caribou head facing left — Emanuel Hahn's design, introduced in 1937 — with "CANADA" arcing across the top, "25 CENTS" positioned between the antlers, and "1958" to the right of the neck.
The "H" Monogram — Not a Mint Mark: A small "H" appears at the base of the Caribou's neck near the rim. This is Emanuel Hahn's artist monogram, not a Heaton Mint mark or any facility identifier. All 1958 Canadian quarters were struck in Ottawa. There are no mint mark varieties for this year.
Edge Check: The edge must be reeded — uniformly milled vertical grooves running around the full circumference of the coin. Partially smooth edges on an otherwise high-grade coin indicate heavy rim wear rather than a different coin type.
Magnet Test (Composition Verification — Essential): Apply any magnet to the coin. A genuine 1958 quarter will show zero attraction. The 80% silver / 20% copper alloy is diamagnetic. Any magnetic response means the coin is a post-1967 nickel quarter (1968–1999), a modern plated-steel quarter (2000–present), or a base-metal counterfeit. This is the fastest authentication step and should always be performed first.
Weight Check: A genuine 1958 quarter weighs 5.8319 grams (commonly cited as 5.83 g). Using a jeweler's scale, a non-worn coin should fall within a tight tolerance of this figure. A reading below 5.70 g or above 5.95 g on an apparently unworn coin is a red flag for a planchet anomaly or counterfeit.
Finish Identification (The Critical Value Step):
- Business Strike: Fields display a "cartwheel" luster — a spinning brightness that sweeps around the coin as you tilt it under a single light source. Contact marks (bag marks) from other coins in the mint bag are normal and expected. Cartwheel luster is the defining feature of a circulation strike.
- Proof-Like (PL): Fields are mirror-flat and appear nearly liquid when reflected under light. Even a single fingerprint is vividly visible. A "shiny" 1958 quarter found loose in a collection is almost certainly a PL coin broken from its original cardboard set, not a rare high-grade business strike. Dealers routinely discount raw "uncirculated" 1958 quarters because they assume PL origin.
Strike Quality Check (Critical for Grading Business Strikes): Examine under magnification: (a) the Shoulder Fold — the strap detail on the Queen's gown at the shoulder truncation; and (b) the hair strands above the ear — individual lines must be clearly distinct and separated on a true Gem. A flat, blurred appearance in these areas indicates a weak strike that limits grade to MS-62 or MS-63, regardless of the coin's uncirculated status. Weak-strike coins and worn coins can appear similar without magnification.
Finish comparison: 1958 Canadian quarter Business Strike (left) showing cartwheel luster with typical surface bag marks; Proof-Like (right) showing mirror-flat fields that reflect like a liquid surface with no handling marks. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Strike quality on the 1958 quarter obverse: full strike (left) showing distinct individual hair strands above the Queen's ear and a well-defined Shoulder Fold strap; weak strike (right) with blurred, merged hair and a flat, barely visible shoulder. Weak-strike coins are limited to MS-62/63 even when fully uncirculated. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Cleaning a 1958 quarter — with toothpaste, metal polish, a cloth, or even a rinse with abrasive water — destroys the original luster and introduces hairlines that are visible under magnification. Grading services (ICCS, PCGS, NGC) assign a "Details" designation to cleaned coins, which removes all numismatic premium. A cleaned 1958 quarter reverts to melt value regardless of the coin's underlying quality. Natural toning, even dark toning, is preferable to a cleaned surface.
1958 Canadian Quarter Value FAQs
What is a 1958 Canadian quarter worth?
Value depends entirely on condition and finish. Every genuine 1958 quarter contains 0.150 troy oz of silver worth approximately $16.50 CAD at February 2026 spot prices — that is the floor for any circulated example. Uncirculated (MS-63) coins are worth $40–$55; Gem (MS-65) specimens reach $150–$250; and the top Proof-Like Heavy Cameo examples in PL-67 trade at $800–$1,200+. See the full value chart for all grade tiers.
Is the 1958 Canadian quarter made of silver?
Yes. The 1958 quarter is struck on an 80% silver / 20% copper alloy — the standard for Canadian 25-cent pieces from 1920 through 1967. Its actual silver weight (ASW) is 0.150 troy ounces. The quickest confirmation is the magnet test: a genuine 1958 quarter will not attract a magnet at all. Post-1967 Canadian quarters are composed of pure nickel (1968–1999) or plated steel (2000–present) and are strongly magnetic.
What is the difference between a Business Strike and a Proof-Like (PL) 1958 quarter?
A Business Strike is a regular circulation coin struck at normal press speed with standard working dies, producing the characteristic spinning "cartwheel" luster. A Proof-Like (PL) coin was struck from specially prepared dies onto a polished planchet, creating mirror-flat fields that reflect like a liquid surface. PL coins were distributed only in annual collector sets — never in circulation — and came packaged in the 1958 cardboard-and-cellophane holders. Both types have collector value, but PL Heavy Cameo examples command substantially higher prices. A shiny 1958 quarter found loose in a collection is almost certainly a PL coin removed from its original set, not a rare high-grade circulation strike.
What does the "Heavy Cameo" designation mean, and why does it matter so much?
A Cameo (CAM) PL coin has frosted, white-appearing devices (the portrait and Caribou) contrasting against mirror-polished fields. A Heavy Cameo (HC) has particularly thick, creamy frosting creating a dramatic black-and-white contrast. This effect is produced by the sandblasted texture of a freshly prepared die, which wears away after only a handful of strikes. HC coins represent only the very first impressions from a new die pair, making them a small fraction of the 18,259 PL sets produced. A PL-65 with no cameo trades at $50–$75; a PL-65 Heavy Cameo trades at $450. The Heavy Cameo designation is the single most powerful value driver for the 1958 quarter date.
Should I get my 1958 Canadian quarter graded?
Grading is economically justified only when the coin's likely certified grade will produce a market value that exceeds the combined cost of grading fees, shipping, and holder cost. For the 1958 quarter, professional grading makes strong financial sense for: (a) any business strike you believe is MS-65 or higher, where values begin at $150–$250; (b) any PL coin that shows visible Cameo or Heavy Cameo contrast, where premiums are substantial. For circulated or lower uncirculated examples, grading costs will typically exceed the premium over melt value. ICCS (International Coin Certification Service) is the Canadian domestic standard and is preferred by Canadian specialists for variety attributions and PL cameo designations. PCGS and NGC are US-based services whose slabs command approximately 10–20% higher prices in the international registry set market due to broader collector liquidity.
Are there any rare varieties of the 1958 Canadian quarter?
The 1958 quarter has no major cataloged die varieties — no re-engraved date, no Large/Small Date, and no known mule varieties. Any apparent doubling of the date numerals on a 1958 quarter is almost certainly Machine Doubling (a mechanical die bounce during striking), which adds no premium. Do not confuse this date with the Queen Victoria-era 1858 20-cent piece, which does have a genuine re-engraved 5 variety. The collectible non-standard items for 1958 are: (1) die clashes with antler or chin impressions (adding approximately $20–$50 on high-grade examples); and (2) the Proof-Like Heavy Cameo finish quality, which is the true rarity of this date.
Why do some "shiny" 1958 quarters turn out to be less valuable than expected?
Because a shiny, apparently brilliant 1958 quarter found loose is almost always a Proof-Like coin broken from its original 1958 cardboard set — not a rare high-grade business strike. With 18,259 PL sets produced and many broken open over the decades, raw PL coins populate the "uncirculated" marketplace. Dealers who regularly work with this era assume PL origin for any suspiciously brilliant raw example and price accordingly. The PL finish is actually more valuable than a business strike of equivalent grade — but only if the coin retains its original cameo contrast and has not been cleaned or damaged.
How should I store a 1958 silver quarter to protect its value?
Silver reacts with sulfur compounds, causing toning or blackening over time. The original 1958 PL cardboard packaging contains sulfur and is not airtight — sets in torn or brittle cellophane should be repacked into inert acrylic coin capsules or Mylar flips immediately. Avoid soft PVC plastic flips, which can leach a damaging plasticizer onto the silver surface over time, creating a sticky green residue. Store in a cool, low-humidity environment away from rubber bands, newspaper, and other sulfur-containing materials. Natural toning that develops slowly in archival storage is acceptable and may even add value — forced or artificial toning destroys collector premium.
Methodology & Sources
Values reflect February 2026 market data with silver spot at approximately $109 CAD/troy oz. Prices represent typical dealer and auction market ranges; individual coins may trade above or below based on eye appeal, toning character, and certification holder. This guide covers standard non-error examples only. All dollar amounts are in Canadian Dollars (CAD).
Primary sources consulted:
- NGC Canada 25 Cents KM-52 Price Guide (1953–1964)
- NGC: Are Prooflike Sets from Canada Undervalued? (Jim Bisognani)
- PCGS Population Report — 1958 Canada Quarter PL
- SilverPrice.org — Silver Price Canada (CAD)
- Numista: Canada 25 Cents — Elizabeth II (1st Portrait)
- Bank of Canada Museum — Canada, Elizabeth II, 25 Cents 1958
- Canadian-Coins.ca — 1958 25 Cents Quarter
- Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian 25 Cent Coin Major Varieties
- Royal Canadian Mint — 25 Cents denomination history
- Newcan Coins & Currency — Canadian Inventory Price Guide
- Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins (current edition) — mintage records and variety attributions
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.