1964 Canadian Silver Dollar ($1) Value Guide — Charlottetown Commemorative

The 1964 Canadian silver dollar commemorates the 100th anniversary of the pivotal 1864 conferences held in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec City — the foundational meetings that shaped Canadian Confederation three years later in 1867. This issue replaced the standard Emanuel Hahn Voyageur reverse with an intricate circular motif of four conjoined national floral emblems designed by Dinko Vodanovic and engraved by Thomas Shingles, making it one of the most visually distinctive commemorative dollars of the circulating silver era. It also marks the final year of the Mary Gillick First Portrait (Laureated Bust) on Canadian coinage — the Arnold Machin Second Portrait was introduced beginning with the 1965 series. With a combined mintage exceeding eight million units across all striking formats, the 1964 Charlottetown dollar is among the most widely distributed and hoarded mid-century Canadian silver issues ever produced. For values across all years of the pre-1987 Canadian silver and nickel dollar series, see our Canadian Dollar Value Guide.

Note: Errors exist for the 1964 Canadian silver dollar but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.

Obverse (left): Queen Elizabeth II Laureated Bust, First Portrait by Mary Gillick — legend reads ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA M.C. Reverse (right): The Charlottetown/Quebec Conferences commemorative design featuring four conjoined floral emblems — fleur-de-lis, shamrock, thistle, and English rose — with dual dates 1864 and 1964 flanking the central motif. Check the designer initials area (T.S.) for the lucrative Missing Dot variety.

1964 Canadian Silver Dollar Composition & Melt Value

Every genuine 1964 Canadian silver dollar — whether a circulation business strike, a Proof-Like collector coin, or the exceedingly rare Specimen striking from official archival distributions — shares the same single metallurgical alloy: 80% silver (Ag) and 20% copper (Cu), known as 0.800 fine silver. This standard had served as the backbone of Canadian silver coinage for denominations of ten cents and higher since 1920, when the government reduced purity from the traditional 0.925 sterling standard to offset the economic pressures of rising post-World War I silver prices.

The 20% copper content is metallurgically essential, not incidental. Pure silver is too soft to survive the rigors of public commerce; without the copper hardening agent, the intricate raised floral relief on the reverse and the Queen's cheekbone on the obverse would erode rapidly in circulation. The resulting alloy strikes a luminous white finish while maintaining the structural integrity required for a heavy, large-diameter 36-millimetre coin in daily use.

Melt Value Calculation (February 2026)

Because over eight million 1964 dollars were produced and millions were deliberately hoarded as global silver prices surged in the late 1960s, the market for circulated and lower uncirculated examples is entirely chained to the live silver commodity markets. The melt value establishes an impenetrable price floor that cannot be undercut regardless of a coin's condition. Using the documented live spot price of $124.39 CAD per troy ounce as of February 26, 2026 (equivalent to $3.999 CAD per gram), the calculation proceeds as follows:

• Pure silver mass isolated: 23.33g × 0.80 = 18.664 grams
• Melt value (per gram): 18.664g × $3.999 CAD/g = $74.63 CAD
• Melt value (using ASW): 0.600 troy oz × $124.39 CAD/oz = $74.63 CAD

At current silver spot prices, all grades from G4 through approximately MS62 and PL63–PL64 trade at or very near this $74.63 CAD bullion floor. Only exceptional condition rarity — typically MS65 for business strikes or PL66+ for Proof-Like coins — generates a numismatic premium that meaningfully surpasses the underlying metal value. For the current silver spot price in Canadian dollars, consult SilverPrice.org Canada.

Magnetic Test — Critical Authentication Step

The 1964 Canadian silver dollar is entirely non-magnetic. With a composition of 80% silver and 20% copper, neither component is ferromagnetic. A genuine 1964 dollar will show zero attraction to a neodymium magnet. If your coin is attracted to a magnet, it is composed of steel or another ferromagnetic base metal and is not genuine.

Important caveat: Passing the magnet test alone is not sufficient for authentication. Several common base-metal counterfeit alloys — including brass, lead, and certain copper-nickel blends — are also non-magnetic. Always confirm authenticity as a mandatory secondary check using a precise scale weight of 23.33 grams (within a strict ±0.2g tolerance for uncirculated or lightly circulated examples) and a diameter measurement of 36.00 mm.

1964 Canadian Silver Dollar Value Chart by Grade & Finish

The 1964 Charlottetown Commemorative operates on a strictly bifurcated pricing model. For the vast majority of the over eight million coins produced — whether circulated, worn, or even technically uncirculated at MS60–MS63 — value is driven entirely by the coin's 80% silver bullion content. The pricing structure is essentially flat across all circulated grades. Meaningful numismatic premiums begin to emerge only at MS65 for business strikes and PL66+ for Proof-Like coins, where extreme preservation rarity begins to dominate the market. For PL coins above PL65, the degree of cameo contrast — the opaque white frosting on raised devices against the deeply mirrored fields — is the primary value driver.

1964 Canadian Silver Dollar — Business Strike (Circulation)

The Royal Canadian Mint produced 7,296,832 business strikes for general commercial circulation. Because millions were deliberately hoarded directly from bank rolls as silver prices surged, the market is saturated with MS60–MS63 examples that are largely indistinguishable in value from circulated specimens. The explosive value cliff occurs strictly at MS65, where the near-impossibility of a heavy, large-diameter silver planchet surviving industrial minting hoppers without deep, value-destroying bag marks in the focal areas creates genuine condition rarity.

All values in CAD. Melt floor ~$74.63 CAD at $124.39 CAD/oz silver spot as of February 26, 2026. Sources: Coins and Canada — 1953–1964 Dollar Price Guide; PCGS — Collecting the 1964 Charlottetown Dollar.

Grade comparison: A circulated 1964 Canadian silver dollar (~VF, left) alongside a Gem Uncirculated business strike (~MS65, right). The circulated piece shows flatness on the highest hair points above the ear and softened floral relief on the reverse; the MS65 exhibits blazing, uninterrupted cartwheel lustre and virtually no marks in the open fields. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1964 Canadian Silver Dollar — Proof-Like (PL) Collector Sets

Proof-Like coins were struck on highly polished planchets using specially prepared, polished working dies and distributed directly to collectors in flat, flexible cellophane pliofilm strips. Approximately 1,653,162 official Proof-Like sets were produced for the 1964 issue, with some specialized references isolating the standalone PL dollar frequency to an estimated 1,209,000 units. Because PL coins were never commercially circulated, their survival rate in top grades is far higher than business strikes — meaning a PL65 is much more available and correspondingly lower in value than an MS65 business strike. Above PL65, the degree of cameo contrast between the frosted devices and the mirror fields becomes the dominant value driver.

All values in CAD as of February 2026. "Heavy Cameo" (Canadian/ICCS standard) is synonymous with "Deep Cameo" (DCAM) used by PCGS and NGC. Sources: NGC World Coin Price Guide — Canada Dollar KM 58; St. George Auctions Inaugural Fall 2025 Catalogue.

Proof-Like cameo comparison: Standard PL (left) shows bright mirror fields with minimal device frosting — fields and devices appear similarly reflective. Cameo (center) shows noticeable white frost on the Queen's portrait and floral devices contrasting with the mirrored background. Heavy Cameo (right) displays dramatic black-and-white contrast with thick, opaque snow-white frosting against deep, watery mirror fields — representing the very first strikes off a freshly acid-etched PL die. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

Values in CAD represent typical market prices as of February 2026. For the complete Canadian pre-1987 dollar price guide, see our Canadian Dollar Value Guide.

Most Valuable 1964 Canadian Silver Dollar Varieties

The 1964 Charlottetown Commemorative has one recognized, Charlton-catalogued die variety — the Missing Dot — and a critical finish sub-designation — the Heavy Cameo (HCAM) Proof-Like — that together define the high end of the collectible market beyond condition rarity alone. Because the issue is abundant, the financial peaks of this coin are driven by phenomenal physical preservation and exceptional die-state aesthetics, not by scarcity of the issue itself. Errors are outside the scope of this guide.

A. Trophy-Level Examples

The absolute peak of the 1964 dollar market is dominated by top-population (“top-pop”) specimens. The following are verifiable documented auction results for singular trophy-level coins. These are not typical values for standard uncirculated examples — they represent the ceiling achieved by highly motivated competitive bidders vying for registry-set quality coins.

B. The Missing Dot — A Findable Variety

The single universally recognized, Charlton-catalogued die variety for the 1964 Charlottetown dollar is the "Missing Dot" — also called the "No Dot" dollar within the trade. This variety results from a specific reverse working die on which the period (punctuation dot) following the engraver's initial in the designer's credit initials was either omitted during the hubbing process or obliterated through aggressive die polishing by Royal Canadian Mint staff. The result is that the designer's credit reads "T S" (no period after the T) instead of the standard "T.S."

The Missing Dot diagnostic: under a 10× loupe, locate the designer's initials on the reverse above the space between the C (Quebec) and N (Charlottetown) in the legend. Standard coin (left) clearly shows T.S. with a well-defined dot after the T. Missing Dot variety (right) reads T S — the punctuation mark is completely absent. This check is quick, decisive, and possible on any raw uncertified coin. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

For authoritative variety confirmation, consult the Canadian Dollar Major Varieties reference from the Saskatoon Coin Club and baseline pricing from Coins and Canada's 1953–1964 dollar price data.

1964 Canadian Silver Dollar Identification Guide

Accurately identifying and valuing a 1964 Canadian silver dollar requires verifying the specific commemorative design, confirming the physical specifications to authenticate the silver alloy, and precisely determining the manufacturing finish — since finish type is the single greatest determinant of numismatic value above the bullion floor. Confusing a Proof-Like coin for a high-grade Business Strike (or vice versa) is the most common source of 1964 dollar valuation errors.

30-Second Forensic Checklist

1. Monarch / Obverse Check: The portrait must be Queen Elizabeth II facing right, depicted as the First Portrait (“Laureated Bust” / “Young Head”) designed by Mary Gillick — showing the Queen without a tiara, wearing a simple laurel wreath (used on Canadian coins 1953–1964). The surrounding Latin legend must read: ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA M.C.
2. Reverse Design Check: Confirm the Charlottetown/Quebec Conferences commemorative design — an interconnected circular motif of four national floral emblems: a French fleur-de-lis, an Irish shamrock, a Scottish thistle, and an English rose. The centennial dates 1864 and 1964 must clearly flank the central arrangement.
3. Edge Check: The edge must be heavily reeded (milled) with sharp, uniform, well-defined vertical grooves running continuously around the entire circumference.
4. Magnet Test (Composition Verification): Apply a neodymium magnet to the coin. A genuine 1964 Canadian silver dollar — 80% silver, 20% copper — will NOT be attracted. Any attraction indicates a non-genuine coin. Note: non-magnetic base-metal counterfeits exist; always confirm with a precise scale weight of 23.33 grams (±0.2g) and a caliper measurement of 36.00 mm diameter as mandatory secondary verification.
5. No Mint Marks: The 1964 silver dollar carries no mint mark, consistent with standard Royal Canadian Mint practice for domestic coinage during this era. It was struck exclusively at the Ottawa facility. Any coin bearing a visible mint mark is not a genuine 1964 Canadian dollar.
6. Finish Identification (The Critical Step): See detailed diagnostics below.
7. Variety Check — Missing Dot: Under a 10× loupe, locate the designer's initials above the space between the "C" and "N" in the reverse legend. Standard reads T.S. (dot present after T); Missing Dot variety reads T S (no dot). See the Variants section for complete diagnostics.

Finish Identification Diagnostics

Finish comparison for the 1964 Canadian silver dollar. Left: Business Strike — softly luminous cartwheel lustre from die flow lines, with visible contact marks (bag marks) acquired during bulk hopper storage. Center: Standard Proof-Like (PL) — deep, watery mirror fields; faint milky device frost; from original pliofilm collector sets. Right: Heavy Cameo Proof-Like (HCAM) — dramatic black-and-white contrast with thick, opaque snow-white frosting on all raised devices against deeply reflective watery mirrors, representing the very first coins off a fresh PL die. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

• Business Strike (Circulation): Struck at high speed for mass distribution. Exhibits standard, radiating “cartwheel” mint lustre — the fields are softly luminous and textured by microscopic die flow lines but are not highly reflective. Contact marks, scratches, and edge dings are nearly universal even on technically uncirculated examples due to bulk storage in canvas bags and aggressive hopper handling.
• Proof-Like (PL): Struck at slower speeds on highly polished planchets using specially prepared, polished working dies. The fields possess a deep, watery, mirror-like reflectivity — often enabling the viewer to clearly read reflected text held above the coin. The devices typically exhibit a slight milky frost. Originally distributed in flat cellophane pliofilm strips directly from the Mint; fundamentally lack the heavy, violent bag marks seen on business strikes.
• Cameo (CAM) — PL Sub-Designation: Noticeable, continuous opaque white frost on the primary raised devices (Queen's portrait and reverse flora) contrasting clearly with the mirrored fields. Represents early-die-state strikes before the microscopic surface texturing from acid-etching or sandblasting begins to wear smooth under striking pressure.
• Heavy Cameo (HCAM) — PL Sub-Designation: Intense, thick, snow-white frosting on all raised devices creating stark, immediate contrast against deep, watery mirror fields — a dramatic black-and-white effect. Only the very first coins struck from a freshly prepared PL die achieve this level of frosting. The Canadian and ICCS term “Heavy Cameo” is completely synonymous with the PCGS and NGC terms “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) or “Ultra Cameo.”
• Specimen (SP): A small number of exceedingly rare archival Specimen strikings with distinct surface preparations and exceptional cameo contrast do exist for the 1964 issue. These are non-standard for this coin and do not routinely appear in secondary-market value tables.

Authentication magnet test: a neodymium magnet held near a genuine 1964 Canadian silver dollar shows no attraction whatsoever — the 80% silver, 20% copper composition is entirely non-magnetic. If a coin sticks to a magnet, it is not a genuine 1964 Canadian silver dollar. Always confirm with a scale weight of 23.33 grams as a mandatory secondary check.

1964 Canadian Silver Dollar Value FAQs

A 1964 Canadian Proof-Like dollar in original Royal Canadian Mint pliofilm (cellophane) packaging. The milky cloudiness visible on the packaging material is a sign of PVC chemical breakdown after decades of storage. While cosmetically unattractive, this haze indicates the coin's surfaces are entirely original and unaltered. Do not attempt to remove the haze by wiping or rubbing — doing so permanently destroys the mirror fields and any Cameo optical properties, reducing the coin to a damaged bullion piece.

Methodology & Sources

Values in this guide reflect typical Canadian retail market prices as of February 2026 and are denominated in Canadian dollars (CAD). The silver melt floor is anchored to the documented spot price of $124.39 CAD per troy ounce as of February 26, 2026. Data was compiled from the following primary sources:

• Coins and Canada — 1953–1964 Silver Dollar Price Guide (pricing data accessed February 2026)
• PCGS — Collecting the 1964 Canadian Charlottetown Dollar (market analysis, auction records, trophy valuations)
• NGC World Coin Price Guide — Canada Dollar KM 58 (base specifications, silver content, melt-value anchors)
• Numista — 1 Dollar Elizabeth II (Confederation Conferences) (dimensional specifications, mintage confirmation)
• Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian Dollar Major Varieties (variety attribution and diagnostics)
• CoinWeek — Collecting Canadian Silver Dollars (market context and collector background)
• SilverPrice.org Canada (live silver spot rate: $124.39 CAD/oz, February 26, 2026)
• Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins (2024/2025 edition) — variety confirmation, foundational historical pricing parameters
• Royal Canadian Mint official production records — mintage confirmation (7,296,832 business strikes; 1,653,162 PL sets)

Market prices fluctuate with live silver spot prices and collector demand. All values represent market conditions as of February 2026 and should not be treated as guaranteed appraisals. For transactions involving coins valued at MS64 or higher, certification by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC is strongly recommended.