1968 Canadian 10-Cent (Dime) Value Guide
What is your 1968 Canadian dime worth? Complete price guide covering the 50% silver and 99.9% nickel varieties, Ottawa vs. Philadelphia reeding, Business Strike, Proof-Like, and Specimen collector finishes — all values in CAD as of February 2026.
Your first step is always the magnet test. The 1968 Canadian dime exists in two entirely different compositions: a 50% silver variety (non-magnetic, worth approximately $3.02 CAD in any circulated grade) and a 99.9% nickel variety (strongly magnetic, worth face value in circulated grades — unless it is the rare Philadelphia issue in pristine condition). The Philadelphia nickel dime is the sleeper key of this series, jumping from face value to $78.70 at MS-65 and approximately $425 at MS-66.
- Circulated Silver (.500), all grades G4–AU50: Melt value (~$3.02 CAD); MS-65: $18.60
- Circulated Nickel — Ottawa (V-Reeding), G4–AU50: Face value to $0.20; MS-65: $26.20; MS-66: $61–$90
- Circulated Nickel — Philadelphia (Flat Reeding), G4–AU50: Face value; MS-63: $12.40; MS-65: $78.70; MS-66: ~$425
- Proof-Like (PL) Nickel, PL67:$40.00+ | Silver PL67: $55.00
- Specimen (SP) Nickel, SP67:$45.00
All values in CAD as of February 2026. If your coin is mirror-bright and came from a flat cellophane set, it is almost certainly a Proof-Like (PL) strike — value it against the PL table, not the Business Strike table. The 1968 dime is not plated steel; there is no "P" plating mark for this year. See full value chart →
The 1968 Canadian dime marks one of the most consequential transitions in the decimal series: it is simultaneously the last year circulating silver dimes were issued and the first full year of the pure nickel replacement. Compounding this historic metallurgical pivot, a domestic production shortfall forced the Royal Canadian Mint to contract the United States Mint in Philadelphia to strike millions of nickel dimes — creating a mint-origin variety detectable only by examining the coin's edge reeding. For the denomination's full history across all eras, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.
Note: Major mint errors — including off-center strikes, clips, and wrong-planchet strikes — exist for 1968 but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.
1968 Canadian 10-cent dime: obverse featuring the Arnold Machin Second Portrait (Tiara Head) of Queen Elizabeth II, and reverse featuring Emanuel Hahn's iconic Bluenose Schooner design. Composition — silver or nickel — is visually indistinguishable; a magnet test or scale is required.
1968 Canadian Dime Composition & Melt Value
Type A: 50% Silver, 50% Copper
The silver variety is an alloy of 50% silver and 50% copper, reduced from the traditional 80% silver standard used through 1966. It weighs 2.33 grams. Silver is diamagnetic and copper is non-magnetic: a magnet will slide off this coin without any resistance. The surface often exhibits a whiter, softer lustre than nickel and tarnishes to grey or black over time.
Melt Value Calculation (Silver Variety, February 2026):
- Total weight: 2.33 g
- Silver purity: 0.500 (50%)
- Net silver weight: 1.165 g pure silver (approximately 0.0375 troy ounces)
- Spot price context (Feb 2026): approximately $2.59 CAD per gram (~$80.57 CAD per troy ounce)
- Calculated melt value: approximately $3.02 CAD
A circulated 1968 silver dime is worth roughly 30 times its face value in melt alone. For grades G4 through AU50, the melt value is the value — worn silver dimes trade as bullion with no additional numismatic premium. The Canadian Currency Act prohibits melting coins of the realm, but the melt figure establishes the floor for market transactions.
Silver spot price data sourced from BullionVault live silver price charts. Specifications confirmed via Numista: Canada 10 Cents — Elizabeth II (2nd portrait; Silver).
Type B: 99.9% Pure Nickel
The nickel variety is composed of 99.9% pure nickel and weighs 2.07 grams — approximately 12.5% lighter than the silver issue. Pure nickel is ferromagnetic at room temperature: a magnet will stick firmly to this coin. The surface is extremely hard (high Vickers hardness), which makes crisp strikes more difficult to achieve and bag marks easier to inflict. The raw metal value of 2.07 grams of nickel is a negligible fraction of a cent; numismatic grade entirely determines value for this variety. Specifications confirmed via Numista: Canada 10 Cents — Elizabeth II (2nd portrait; Nickel).
Secondary Weight Verification
When a magnet is unavailable, a standard digital jewelry scale resolves any ambiguity:
- ~2.33 g = Silver (.500) — ~$3.02 CAD minimum value
- ~2.07 g = Nickel (.999) — face value unless high grade
The 0.26-gram difference is readily detectable on any scale with 0.01-gram precision.
A digital scale displaying the weight differential between the 1968 silver dime (~2.33 g) and the 1968 nickel dime (~2.07 g). When a magnet is unavailable, weight is the definitive secondary test. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coins)
1968 Canadian Dime Value Chart by Grade & Finish
Values are organized first by composition, then by mint origin, then by collector finish. All prices in CAD as of February 2026. The primary pricing source is Coins and Canada — 10 Cents 1968 price guide, supplemented by NGC price guides for all three catalogue numbers.
1968 Canadian Dime — Business Strike (Circulation)
| Composition | Variety / Mint | Mintage | G4 | VG8 | F12 | VF20 | EF40 | AU50 | MS60 | MS63 | MS65 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver (.500) | Ottawa (Standard) | 70,460,000 | Melt* | Melt* | Melt* | Melt* | Melt* | Melt* | $3.80 | $4.50 | $18.60 | All circulated grades trade as bullion (~$3.02). High-grade examples offer modest numismatic premium above melt. |
| Nickel (.999) | Ottawa (V-Reeding) | 87,412,930 | $0.10 | $0.10 | $0.10 | $0.10 | $0.15 | $0.20 | $1.05 | $1.30 | $26.20 | MS66: ~$61–$90. Hard nickel makes true gems surprisingly scarce despite large mintage. |
| Nickel (.999) | Philadelphia (Flat Reeding) | 85,170,000 | $0.10 | $0.10 | $0.10 | $0.10 | $0.15 | $0.25 | $0.10 | $12.40 | $78.70 | The Sleeper Key. MS66: ~$425. Coins shipped in bags; heavy bag marks devastate survival rate in gem grades. See Trophy section. |
*Melt value (~$3.02 CAD) applies to all Silver grades G4 through AU50 based on ~$2.59 CAD/g silver spot as of February 2026. Values sourced from Coins and Canada and NGC price guides (KM 72 Silver | KM 73 Nickel).
⚠️ The Philadelphia Value Cliff
The grade gap between MS63 ($12.40) and MS66 (~$425) for the Philadelphia nickel dime is one of the sharpest in modern Canadian coinage. A coin that looks pristine to the naked eye but grades MS64 is worth roughly $26; the same coin at MS66 is a significant asset. The US Mint shipped these coins in bulk bags — coins clashed against each other in transit, leaving the unsightly contact marks (bag marks) that suppress most examples to MS63 or lower. Confirming the Philadelphia variety (flat edge reeding) and then investing in third-party grading makes sense only when the coin appears genuinely mark-free under magnification.
Side-by-side comparison of 1968 Canadian nickel dimes at three grade levels. MS-63 (left) shows visible bag marks on the Queen's cheek and the Bluenose sails. MS-65 (centre) is largely clean with strong luster. MS-66 (right) is virtually mark-free — a condition rarity for the Philadelphia issue that commands a dramatic price premium. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coins)
1968 Canadian Dime — Collector Finishes (PL & SP)
The Royal Canadian Mint produced special collector sets in 1968. Proof-Like (PL) coins were sold in flat pliofilm cellophane sets; Specimen (SP) coins were sold in leather or plastic presentation cases. Both are struck on prepared planchets with extra care but are valued on entirely separate scales from Business Strikes. Early 1968 PL sets contain silver dimes; later 1968 PL sets contain nickel dimes — always verify composition before pricing a PL coin.
| Finish | Composition | PL63 / SP63 | PL65 / SP65 | PL66 / SP66 | PL67 / SP67 | Cameo / Heavy Cameo Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proof-Like (PL) | Nickel | $2.00 | $14.50 | $20.00 | $40.00+ | Heavy Cameo (HC) contrast is difficult to produce on hard nickel planchets and commands a 20–50% premium over standard PL prices. |
| Specimen (SP) | Nickel | $5.00 | $12.00 | $20.00 | $45.00 | Specimen strikes show a distinctive sharp, double-struck appearance with squared wire rims and strong device detail. |
| Proof-Like (PL) | Silver | $4.50 | $15.00 | $25.00 | $55.00 | Verify composition with magnet before pricing. Silver PL values include a base silver melt component above nickel equivalents. |
Values sourced from Coins and Canada and NGC KM 72a (Silver PL).
⚠️ PVC Damage Risk
The pliofilm packaging used for 1968 Proof-Like sets contained PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), which breaks down over decades and leaches a green, oily residue onto the coin surface. If you see green haze or slime on a PL coin, it is classified as environmentally damaged. Professional conservation using pure acetone can sometimes stabilize the coin, but if the metal surface is pitted, the numismatic premium is largely destroyed. Damaged PL dimes revert to face or melt value regardless of the underlying strike quality.
Close-up of PVC chemical damage on a Proof-Like coin: green oily residue characteristic of degraded pliofilm packaging. This condition is classified as environmentally damaged and eliminates the coin's numismatic premium. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
All values in CAD as of February 2026. For the complete denomination price guide, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.
Most Valuable 1968 Canadian Dime Varieties
A. Trophy-Level: Condition Rarities
The 1968 dime's top-tier values are driven almost entirely by condition rarity — not design scarcity. Millions were struck, but very few survived in gem condition. The pure nickel composition is exceptionally hard and unforgiving: bag marks inflicted during shipping are nearly unavoidable, and the metal does not hide contact marks the way copper or silver does. The registry-set competition among wealthy collectors creates extreme price cliffs at the MS66 threshold.
| Coin | Why It Commands a Premium | Grade Required | Documented High-End Value (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 Nickel — Philadelphia (Flat Reeding) | Extreme condition rarity. Bulk US Mint shipping left heavy bag marks on virtually all examples. Gems are elusive. | MS-66 | ~$425 |
| 1968 Nickel — Philadelphia (Flat Reeding) | Top Population. Virtually non-existent at this grade. Registry Set demand drives outlier pricing. | MS-67 | ~$2,880 (2018 auction result) |
| 1968 Nickel — Ottawa (V-Reeding) | Rarity spikes at MS66; condition scarce despite large mintage. | MS-66 | $61–$90 |
| 1968 Silver — Ottawa | Widely hoarded in circulated rolls but rarely submitted for grading. High-grade "Blast White" examples are prized. | MS-66 | ~$63 |
| 1968 Nickel PL — Heavy Cameo (HC) | Heavy Cameo (black-and-white frosted contrast) is unusually difficult to produce on hard nickel planchets. | PL-66 HC | $40–$50 |
B. Findable Varieties: Check Your Coins
The most actionable and important variety for 1968 is detectable with a loupe or magnifier by examining the coin's edge. The other varieties require greater magnification and patience.
Edge comparison: Ottawa Mint V-reeding (left) shows sharp V-shaped grooves with pointed bottoms, produced by RCM collars. Philadelphia Mint flat reeding (right) shows squared, U-bottomed grooves produced by US Mint collars used for the Roosevelt dime. Identifying the Philadelphia variety is the first step toward finding a potential $400+ coin. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
| Variety | Identification (One Line) | Why It Is Rarer | Typical Premium Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reeding: Philadelphia (Flat) | Flat-bottomed / squared (U-shape) grooves on coin edge. Nickel coins only. | Emergency US production using US Mint collars; survival rate in gem grades significantly lower than Ottawa due to bulk bag shipping. | 10×–100× premium versus Ottawa at MS65+ grades. |
| Reeding: Ottawa (V-shape) | Sharp V-shaped / pointed grooves on coin edge. Standard domestic issue. | The standard variety. No rarity premium unless MS66 or higher. | Baseline value (see Business Strike table). |
| Rotated Die | Reverse axis is rotated relative to obverse when flipped (not standard ↑↑ medal alignment). | Quality control slip; dies not aligned at 0°. | $10–$50+ depending on degree of rotation. |
| Double Die Obverse (DDO) | Doubling visible on "ELIZABETH," forehead, or tiara details under magnification. | Die hubbing anomaly creating a ghost image on the obverse. | $5–$25+ (niche market; interest varies). |
| Silver Die Shift | "Shadow" doubling on legends or profile on the silver variety specifically. | Distinct striking anomaly specific to silver planchets. | $5–$15 premium over melt value. |
ℹ️ Debunking the "Silver Philadelphia" Myth
Anecdotal reports occasionally mention a silver coin struck at Philadelphia. Authoritative references including Charlton and Coins and Canada do not list this as a confirmed variety. Historical research indicates Philadelphia struck only nickel coins. A silver coin suspected to be of Philadelphia origin is most likely a misidentified Ottawa strike with worn edge reeding or a privately altered coin. See the Midlands Coin Club: The Curious Case of the US-Made 1968 Canadian Dime for detailed historical context.
1968 Canadian Dime Identification Guide
Use this 30-second checklist to determine exactly what you have — and to avoid mispriceing a silver coin as face value or a Philadelphia nickel as a common Ottawa strike.
30-Second Identification Checklist
- Monarch Check: The obverse should show Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing a tiara (the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" tiara). This is the Arnold Machin Second Portrait, used from 1965–1989. If the portrait looks different — a younger laureate head or a bare (un-crowned) head — you do not have a 1968 dime.
- Reverse Check: The reverse should show the Bluenose Schooner sailing left, with the denomination "10 CENTS" and date "1968" below. Designer Emanuel Hahn's design has been on the dime since 1937.
- Edge Check: The edge should be reeded (milled). A smooth edge would indicate a wrong planchet, which is an error outside the scope of this guide.
- Magnet Test — CRITICAL STEP: Hold a strong magnet to the coin.
- Sticks firmly: You have a 99.9% Nickel coin. Base value is face value ($0.10) in circulated grades. Proceed to Step 5.
- Does not stick (slides off): You have a 50% Silver coin. Minimum value is ~$3.02 CAD regardless of condition. This is a precious metal asset.
- Weight Check (if needed): If the magnet result is ambiguous, place the coin on a digital scale. ~2.33 g = silver. ~2.07 g = nickel.
- Reeding Check (Nickel Coins Only): Using a loupe or 10× magnifier, examine the edge grooves under raking light.
- V-shaped / pointed bottom to grooves: Ottawa Mint. Standard variety.
- Flat / squared (U-shaped) bottom to grooves: Philadelphia Mint. Desirable — inspect the surfaces for bag marks and consider professional grading if the coin appears mark-free.
- No Mint Marks: Neither the Ottawa nor the Philadelphia issues carry a visible mint mark on the coin face. The only way to distinguish them is the edge reeding test described above.
- Finish Identification:
- Business Strike: Standard cartwheel luster; rotates in and out of brilliance as you tilt the coin. Likely shows minor contact marks under magnification.
- Proof-Like (PL): Mirror-like fields (background) with frosted devices (portrait and ship). Usually found sealed in flat cellophane pliofilm sets. Check for green PVC residue.
- Specimen (SP): Sharp, wire-rimmed strike with a satin or matte field texture. Found in leather or hard plastic RCM presentation cases. Devices are highly detailed with squared rims.
Magnet test diagnostic for the 1968 Canadian dime. A strong magnet sticks firmly to the 99.9% nickel variety (left) — indicating base-metal composition. The same magnet slides off the 50% silver variety (right) — confirming precious-metal content worth approximately $3.02 CAD in any circulated grade. This single test resolves the primary valuation split. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coins)
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Cleaning strips original luster and leaves hairlines visible under magnification. A cleaned coin is graded "Details" (damaged) by ICCS, PCGS, and NGC, eliminating all numismatic premium regardless of the underlying detail. For the Philadelphia variety, even a single wipe that causes hairlines can mean the difference between a $425 coin and a $12 coin.
Three 1968 Canadian nickel dimes showing the three distinct finish types side by side. Left: Business Strike — standard cartwheel luster with typical contact marks. Centre: Proof-Like (PL) — mirror-like fields with frosted portrait and Bluenose devices. Right: Specimen (SP) — satin/matte field texture with sharply squared rims and crisp, well-defined device edges. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coins)
1968 Canadian Dime Value FAQs
What is a 1968 Canadian dime worth?
It depends entirely on the composition. A circulated 1968 silver dime (.500) is worth approximately $3.02 CAD in any worn grade — that is its silver melt value as of February 2026. A circulated 1968 nickel dime is worth face value ($0.10) unless it is in near-pristine uncirculated condition. An MS-65 Ottawa nickel dime is worth $26.20; the same grade from the Philadelphia Mint is worth $78.70. The first step is always the magnet test.
Is my 1968 Canadian dime silver?
It may be. The 1968 dime was produced in both 50% silver and 99.9% nickel. Use a magnet: silver coins are non-magnetic (the magnet slides off), while nickel coins are strongly magnetic (the magnet sticks firmly). If you cannot obtain a magnet, weigh the coin — 2.33 g = silver; 2.07 g = nickel. A 1968 silver dime contains approximately 0.0375 troy ounces of pure silver and is worth approximately $3.02 CAD at current spot prices regardless of grade.
What makes a 1968 Canadian dime valuable?
Three factors determine value in declining order of importance: (1) Composition — silver dimes carry an automatic precious-metal floor; (2) Grade — for nickel coins, value is negligible below MS65 but rises dramatically at MS65 and above; (3) Mint origin — Philadelphia nickel dimes are far scarcer in gem grades than Ottawa issues due to the bulk-bag shipping method used by the US Mint. A virtually mark-free Philadelphia dime at MS-66 is worth approximately $425, compared to $78.70 for MS65 and face value for a circulated example.
What is the difference between the Ottawa and Philadelphia varieties?
Both varieties are composed of 99.9% nickel and carry no mint mark on the coin face. The only reliable identifier is the edge reeding: Ottawa-struck coins have V-shaped (pointed-bottom) grooves, produced by RCM collars. Philadelphia-struck coins have flat-bottomed, squared (U-shaped) grooves, produced by the US Mint's own collars. Examine the edge under a 10× loupe in good raking light. The Philadelphia Mint was contracted by the RCM due to a domestic production shortfall in 1968 — an unusual instance of one sovereign mint striking currency for another. For detailed context, see the Midlands Coin Club article on the 1968 Canadian dime.
What is the "Value Cliff" for the 1968 Philadelphia nickel dime?
The value cliff refers to the extreme price discontinuity between adjacent grade points. For the Philadelphia nickel dime: MS-63 = $12.40; MS-65 = $78.70; MS-66 = approximately $425. The jump from MS65 to MS66 alone represents a roughly 400% increase. This cliff exists because the US Mint shipped these coins in bulk bags — coin-to-coin contact created bag marks that suppress the vast majority of examples to MS63 or below. Collectors pursuing registry sets compete intensely for the few coins that escaped this contact, driving prices sharply upward at the highest grades.
What is the difference between a Proof-Like (PL) and a Specimen (SP) finish?
Both are collector strikes produced with extra care, but they are visually and technically distinct. Proof-Like (PL) coins have mirror-like reflective fields with frosted (cameo) devices; they were sold in flat pliofilm cellophane sets and have a brilliant, highly reflective appearance. Specimen (SP) coins have a sharp, wire-rimmed strike with satin or matte field texture; they were sold in leather or hard plastic RCM cases and show extremely fine detail at the design edges. Both are valued on separate scales from Business Strikes, and the 1968 PL sets may contain either silver or nickel dimes — always perform the magnet test before pricing a PL coin.
Should I get my 1968 Canadian dime graded?
For nickel Business Strike dimes, grading fees of $30–$50 per coin are only economically justified when you are confident the coin grades at least MS-65. If the coin has any scratches visible to the naked eye, it is likely MS63 or lower and not worth the grading cost. The exception is the Philadelphia variety — if a Philadelphia dime (confirmed by flat edge reeding) appears virtually mark-free under a loupe, third-party grading by ICCS or PCGS is strongly advisable, as an MS66 example is worth approximately $425. For ICCS (the standard Canadian service) vs. PCGS/NGC: ICCS grades are conservative and liquid in the domestic market; PCGS or NGC encapsulation is preferred for trophy-tier coins (MS-66/MS-67) due to the global registry-set collector base their population reports serve.
What is PVC damage, and how does it affect my 1968 PL dime?
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) was used in the pliofilm packaging of 1968 Proof-Like sets. Over decades, PVC degrades and leaches a green, oily chemical residue onto the coin surface. Coins with visible green haze or slime are classified as environmentally damaged by all major grading services and receive "Details" grades rather than numeric grades, eliminating their numismatic premium. Professional conservation with pure acetone (not nail polish remover, which contains harmful additives) can sometimes remove the PVC residue before pitting occurs — but if the metal is already etched, the damage is permanent. Always inspect 1968 PL sets carefully before assuming the coins are premium-grade.
Methodology & Sources
Values in this guide reflect typical market prices as of February 2026, synthesized from the following primary sources: Coins and Canada — 10 Cents 1968 pricing and variety attribution; NGC World Coin Price Guides for KM 72 (Silver), KM 73 (Nickel), and KM 72a (Silver PL); the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins for variety structure and grade terminology; Numista (Silver specifications) and Numista (Nickel specifications); the Midlands Coin Club educational paper on the Philadelphia variety; Heritage Auctions and Geoffrey Bell Auctions for trophy-level realized prices; and BullionVault for silver spot price data. All prices are in Canadian Dollars (CAD). Values represent typical market transactions for problem-free examples and may vary based on market conditions, eye appeal, and individual buyer competition at auction.
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.