1973 Canadian 10-Cent (Dime) Value Guide
Find out what your 1973 Canadian dime is worth. Complete price guide by grade and finish (Business Strike, PL, Specimen), rotated die variety values, and Heavy Cameo premiums — all values in CAD as of February 2026.
Most 1973 Canadian dimes found in circulation are worth $0.10 (face value). High-grade certified examples and Ultra Heavy Cameo Specimen coins are where real numismatic value lies — top coins can reach $300.00–$500.00+ CAD.
- Circulated (G-4 to AU-50):$0.10 (face value)
- Uncirculated Business Strike (MS-65 Gem):$10.00–$20.00
- Superb Gem Business Strike (MS-67):$200.00–$400.00+
- Proof-Like (PL-66):$20.00–$35.00
- Specimen (SP-67):$80.00–$150.00
- Specimen SP-67 Ultra Heavy Cameo:$300.00–$500.00+
Found it in change? Unless it is in pristine uncirculated condition, it is worth $0.10. Shiny coin from a set? It is almost certainly a Proof-Like (PL) or Specimen (SP) coin — not a rare high-grade Business Strike; "shiny" alone does not make it valuable. Is it silver? No — all 1973 Canadian dimes are 99.9% pure nickel and are strongly magnetic; the coin contains no silver. All values in CAD as of February 2026. See full value chart →
The 1973 Canadian 10-cent piece — the "Bluenose dime" — shares its production year with one of the most celebrated commemorative coins in Canadian numismatic history: the RCMP Mountie Quarter. The resulting surge in collector set purchases preserved an unusually high number of 1973 dimes in uncirculated condition compared to surrounding years, creating a market where high-grade examples are genuinely accessible yet condition rarity still drives exponential premiums at the very top tier. Despite persistent confusion in the marketplace, there is no "Large Bust" variety on the 1973 dime — that distinction belongs exclusively to the 25-cent coin. The dime retained its standard obverse die throughout. For a complete history of all Canadian dimes and their values across every year, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.
Note: Mechanical production errors such as off-center strikes and wrong-planchet coins exist for the 1973 dime but are outside the scope of this standard value guide, which focuses on the intentional output of the Royal Canadian Mint.
1973 Canadian Dime Composition & Metal Properties
By 1973, the Royal Canadian Mint had been striking 10-cent coins in 99.9% pure nickel for five years, having completed the full transition away from silver coinage in 1968. Pure nickel is a notoriously demanding metal to coin: it is significantly harder than silver or copper-nickel alloys, requires higher striking pressures, accelerates die deterioration, and produces surface characteristics that differ markedly from silver-era coins. For collectors, this hardness means that "fully struck" 1973 dimes — where every wave in the Queen's hair and every line in the Bluenose's sails is razor sharp — are the exception rather than the rule. High points may appear slightly flat even on uncirculated examples due to the difficulty of driving the metal into the deepest die recesses.
Magnetic Properties — The Authentication Shortcut
The most practical diagnostic test for a 1973 dime is a simple magnet. Because the coin is 99.9% pure nickel, it is strongly magnetic. A coin of this year and denomination that does not attract a magnet is not a standard 1973 Canadian dime — it may be a pre-1968 Canadian silver dime, a foreign coin, or a rare wrong-planchet anomaly. A small neodymium magnet confirms authenticity in two seconds.
No Precious Metal Content
Unlike pre-1968 Canadian dimes that contained 80% silver (through 1966) or 50% silver (the 1967 transition year), the 1973 dime contains no silver, gold, or other precious metal. Its intrinsic metal value is negligible relative to any numismatic grade premium. No melt value calculation for this composition is provided in the source data for this guide.
Nickel-Specific Surface Hazards
Pure nickel is corrosion-resistant but vulnerable to two condition-destroying issues that collectors must actively watch for:
- Carbon Spots: Small black spots that develop when nickel reacts with reactive storage environments — paper envelopes, PVC-laden plastic, or humid conditions. A single carbon spot on the Queen's cheek can reduce a coin's effective grade from MS-66 to MS-64. A 1973 dime that has remained spot-free for over 50 years represents a genuine condition rarity.
- PVC Haze and Green Residue: Many 1973 Proof-Like sets were packaged in soft pliofilm plastic containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Over decades, this leaches a green, sticky residue onto the coin's surface. Affected coins are typically graded "Details" (damaged) and lose all numismatic premium regardless of their original potential.
⚠️ PVC Damage Risk
Proof-Like coins stored in original 1973 pliofilm packaging may develop green PVC residue over decades. If you see a green film or sticky coating on the coin's surface, professional conservation with pure acetone is required — do not use nail polish remover or household cleaners, as these will further damage the coin. Coins with active PVC damage revert to face or metal value regardless of the coin's underlying strike quality.
1973 Canadian Dime Value Chart by Grade & Finish
With over 167 million struck for circulation, the 1973 dime's date is entirely common — grade and finish are the sole determinants of value. The Royal Canadian Mint produced the 1973 dime in three distinct finishes: the Business Strike for circulation, the Proof-Like (PL) for collector sets, and the Specimen (SP) for prestige cases. Each finish commands a separate valuation scale. All values are in Canadian Dollars (CAD) as of February 2026.
Visual comparison of the three 1973 Canadian dime finishes: Business Strike (cartwheel luster), Proof-Like (mirror fields), and Specimen (satin/lined fields with squared rim). (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
1973 Canadian Dime — Business Strike (Circulation)
Mintage: 167,715,435 | Standard circulation coins from pocket change, bank rolls, and Mint bags. No mint mark. All production was at the Ottawa facility in 1973 — the Winnipeg Mint did not open until 1976.
| Grade | Description | Est. Value (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 to AU-50 | Circulated | $0.10 | Face value. Common date — grade is everything. |
| MS-60 to MS-62 | Uncirculated | $0.25–$0.50 | Heavy bag marks typical of nickel coinage. |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated | $1.00–$3.00 | Common in bank rolls. Noticeable marks in fields or on the cheek. |
| MS-64 | Near Gem | $4.00–$8.00 | Select examples. A mark may cross a focal area. |
| MS-65 | Gem Uncirculated | $10.00–$20.00 | Collector standard. Strong luster, minimal marks, good eye appeal. |
| MS-66 | Superb Gem | $40.00–$80.00 | Scarce. Fields free of the nickel "chatter" typical of bag-struck coins. |
| MS-67 | Ultra Gem | $200.00–$400.00+ | Rare. Flawless under 5× magnification. Registry Set target. Blinding luster. |
Grade comparison: a circulated 1973 dime (flat, gray fields), an MS-63 example (marks visible in fields), and an MS-67 example (pristine, mirror-bright nickel surface). Note how bag-mark damage accumulates rapidly on hard pure-nickel surfaces. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
The exponential spread between MS-65 ($10–$20) and MS-67 ($200–$400+) reflects Registry Set competition for the finest-known examples. Pure nickel is harder than silver and records every contact abrasion from Mint-bag handling — genuinely pristine nickel survivors are rare.
ℹ️ Grading Economics — Know Before You Submit
Grading fees at ICCS, PCGS, and NGC typically run $30–$50 per coin. Only submit a 1973 Business Strike dime if you are highly confident it will grade MS-66 or higher. An MS-64 example worth $4–$8 CAD would result in a guaranteed financial loss after grading fees.
1973 Canadian Dime — Proof-Like (PL)
Mintage: 243,695 | Found in unsealed "O Canada" pliofilm sets and Red Envelope sets. Characterized by mirrored fields produced by special die polishing, with moderate-to-strong device relief. With 243,695 sets produced, many have been broken open over the decades — a loose "shiny" 1973 dime found today is almost certainly a PL coin, not a high-grade Business Strike. Inspect for PVC haze before purchase.
| Grade | Description | Standard Est. Value (CAD) | Cameo Premium Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PL-64 | Choice PL | $2.00–$5.00 | Often hazy or hairlined from set handling. Minimal premium potential. |
| PL-65 | Gem PL | $8.00–$12.00 | Clean fields. HC examples trade significantly higher (see below). |
| PL-66 | Superb Gem PL | $20.00–$35.00 | Excellent eye appeal, spot-free required. UHC examples at this grade: $100.00+. |
| PL-67 | Ultra Gem PL | $60.00–$100.00 | Very rare for PL finish. Strong demand from date/grade collectors. |
| PL-68 | Finest Known | $200.00+ | Virtually non-existent. Auction-only rarity. |
Heavy Cameo (HC) and Ultra Heavy Cameo (UHC) Premium: A percentage of PL coins were struck from fresh dies and exhibit strong cameo contrast — frosted devices against mirror fields. The documented premium for Heavy Cameo is +50% to +100% over the standard PL grade value at the same grade level. Ultra Heavy Cameo (UHC) examples displaying deep black-and-white contrast can trade for $100.00+ even at PL-65 or PL-66 — a dramatic uplift from standard values at those grades.
ℹ️ PL Set Contamination
With 243,695 PL sets produced in 1973, large numbers have been broken open over five decades. A "shiny" 1973 dime found loose in a dealer's bin or an estate collection is almost certainly a PL coin, not a rare high-grade Business Strike. Dealers routinely discount raw "uncirculated" examples from this era precisely because they assume PL origin. To distinguish: a Business Strike shows cartwheel luster (arcing sweep of light as the coin tilts); a PL coin shows flat mirror fields that reflect the room like a dark glass.
1973 Canadian Dime — Specimen (SP)
Mintage: 119,891 | Found exclusively in the black leather "Prestige" cases (Double Dollar sets). Specimen coins represent the Royal Canadian Mint's highest quality manufacture for 1973: hand-selected planchets, specially prepared dies with matte/satin field treatment, sharp squared-off rims, and careful packaging in leatherette holders.
| Grade | Description | Standard Est. Value (CAD) | Cameo Premium Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP-65 | Gem Specimen | $5.00–$15.00 | Standard set quality. Clean fields, sharp rim. |
| SP-66 | Superb Gem SP | $20.00–$40.00 | High end of set quality. Minimal marks on devices or fields. |
| SP-67 | Ultra Gem SP | $80.00–$150.00 | Rare as a single submission. SP-67 UHC: $300.00–$500.00+. |
| SP-68 | Top Pop | $250.00+ | Auction rarity. Near-perfect in all respects. |
Ultra Heavy Cameo (UHC) — The Crown Jewel of 1973 Dime Collecting: An SP-67 with Ultra Heavy Cameo contrast is likely the single most valuable non-error variant of the 1973 dime. The stark black-and-white contrast — brilliantly frosted Queen's portrait and Bluenose schooner against deeply mirrored, near-black fields — is the result of fresh, specially prepared Specimen dies. These coins can potentially realize prices in excess of $300.00–$500.00 CAD in a specialized numismatic auction. See the Notable Variants section for full cameo identification guidance.
Values in CAD represent typical market prices as of February 2026. For the complete denomination price guide covering all years, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide. Current NGC pricing is available at the NGC Canada 10 Cents KM 77.1 Price Guide (Business Strike / PL) and the NGC Canada 10 Cents KM 77.1 Price Guide (Specimen).
Most Valuable 1973 Canadian Dime Varieties
The 1973 dime does not have major hub-doubled dies, repunched mintmarks (no mintmarks were used), or overdate varieties listed in standard references. Its numismatic variety landscape is defined instead by finish quality, cameo contrast, and die rotation. Here is precisely what to pursue — and what to avoid paying a premium for.
Cameo contrast comparison on 1973 Canadian dime Specimen coins: standard (uniform satin fields and devices), Heavy Cameo (frosted devices beginning to contrast against lighter fields), and Ultra Heavy Cameo (stark black-and-white contrast — frosted white portrait against deep mirror-black fields). The SP-67 UHC is the most valuable non-error 1973 dime variant. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Trophy-Level Varieties
1. Specimen Ultra Heavy Cameo (SP-67 UHC) — The Crown Jewel
The single most valuable non-error 1973 dime is an SP-67 with Ultra Heavy Cameo contrast. These coins display the definitive "photographic negative" effect: Queen Elizabeth II's portrait and the Bluenose schooner appear brilliantly frosted white against deeply mirrored, dark fields. This effect results from freshly prepared Specimen dies with maximum frosting applied to the design relief before the dies began to polish down with use.
Estimated Value:$300.00–$500.00+ CAD in a specialized auction. Even at lower Specimen grades, UHC contrast commands the maximum premium — the contrast quality is prized independently of the numeric grade.
2. Proof-Like Ultra Heavy Cameo (PL-65/66/67 UHC)
A small percentage of PL coins struck from fresh, early-production dies display Heavy Cameo or Ultra Heavy Cameo contrast. These are significantly rarer than standard PL coins and command meaningful premiums.
Estimated Value (Heavy Cameo): Add +50% to +100% to the standard PL grade value at any given grade level. Ultra Heavy Cameo at PL-65/66:$100.00+ — a dramatic premium above the standard $8–$35 range for those grades.
Findable Varieties
3. Rotated Die
Rotated die diagnostic for the 1973 Canadian dime. LEFT: normal alignment — after flipping the coin vertically, the Bluenose schooner remains upright. RIGHT: 90° rotation — the ship is visibly tilted relative to the Queen after the flip test. Major rotations (90° to 180°) carry a documented premium of $10–$50 CAD depending on severity and grade. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
The most accessible variety to hunt in the 1973 dime is the Rotated Die. This occurs when the obverse and reverse dies are not aligned at the standard orientation during installation, producing a reverse that is rotationally offset when the coin is flipped.
Identification Test: Hold the coin by its top and bottom edges. Flip it forward by rotating it toward you around the horizontal axis. The reverse — the Bluenose schooner — should remain upright after this flip. If the ship is tilted or rotated relative to the Queen, the coin has a Rotated Die.
- Minor rotations (under 15°): No premium. Within normal manufacturing tolerance.
- Major rotations (90° to 180°): Charlton and Trends occasionally list these as collectible varieties with premiums of $10.00–$50.00 CAD depending on severity and grade.
Misattributions to Avoid
⚠️ Do Not Pay a Premium for These Non-Existent Varieties
"Large Bust" 1973 Dime: This variety does not exist for the 10-cent denomination. The Large Bust vs. Small Bust distinction belongs exclusively to the 1973 25-cent coin, where a mule was struck using 1972 dies. The 1973 dime retained the standard Machin obverse die used from 1965 through 1978 without modification. Any listing or advertisement for a "Large Bust 1973 Dime" reflects a misattribution derived from the quarter series.
"Double 3" 1973 Dime: No verified, catalogue-listed "Double 3" variety exists for the 1973 Canadian dime. References to this variety appear to be confusion with the 1943 Canadian "Double 3" dime or varieties on entirely different denominations and issues.
For a comprehensive listing of legitimate Canadian 10-cent varieties across all years, the Saskatoon Coin Club's Canadian 10-Cent Major Varieties guide is a valuable reference. For background on the Canadian mule coin phenomenon that produced the 1973 Large Bust Quarter, see the Saskatoon Coin Club's Canadian Mule Coins article.
1973 Canadian Dime Identification Guide
Use this 30-second checklist to confirm exactly what you have and to identify its finish, composition, and any significant attributes.
1973 Canadian 10-cent coin. Obverse: Arnold Machin's Second Portrait (Tiara Head) of Queen Elizabeth II, legend ELIZABETH II D·G·REGINA. Reverse: Emanuel Hahn's Bluenose schooner under full sail, legend CANADA 10 CENTS 1973, using the modified "small boat" reverse introduced around 1969/1970.
30-Second Identification Checklist
- Monarch Check: The obverse portrait depicts Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" tiara. This is Arnold Machin's Second Portrait ("Tiara Head"), used on Canadian coins from 1965 through 1989. The legend reads ELIZABETH II D·G·REGINA. By 1973, the master punches for this design were well-established and unchanged from earlier years in this series.
- Reverse Check: The reverse displays the Bluenose schooner under full sail, leaning to the left. Designed by Emanuel Hahn and first issued in 1937, the 1973 issue uses the re-engraved "modified" reverse introduced around 1969/1970, featuring a slightly smaller ship with more distinct separation from the rim. The denomination reads 10 CENTS, with CANADA above and the date 1973 to the right of the ship.
- Date Check: Confirm the date reads 1973. This is a single-year date — not a commemorative dual-date issue.
- Edge Check: The edge is reeded (milled). Run your thumbnail along the edge — you should feel distinct, regular ridges. A plain or damaged edge would indicate a non-standard coin.
- Magnet Test — Composition Verification:
Apply a magnet to the coin.- Strongly attracted → correct. The 1973 dime is 99.9% pure nickel and will respond strongly to a magnet. This is completely normal.
- Not attracted at all → investigate. The coin is likely a pre-1968 Canadian silver dime, a foreign coin, or an unusual wrong-planchet anomaly. Standard 1973 dimes are not silver and should always be magnetic.
- Mint Mark Check:No mint marks are present on 1973 Canadian dimes. All 1973 dime production was carried out at the Ottawa facility. The Winnipeg Mint facility did not open until 1976. The absence of a mint mark is correct and expected — do not pay a premium for any claimed mark on this coin.
- Finish Identification — The Critical Step:
- Business Strike: Shows "cartwheel luster" — the characteristic arcing sweep of bright light that rotates across the fields as you tilt the coin. Normal bag marks and contact marks from Mint handling may be present. Found in pocket change, bank rolls, or circulated stocks.
- Proof-Like (PL): Mirror-like fields that reflect the room like a dark pane of glass. Came from sealed "O Canada" pliofilm sets or Red Envelope sets. Fields may show fine hairlines from handling during set assembly. Check carefully for a milky or green film (PVC damage).
- Specimen (SP): The highest quality. Fields display a matte, satin, or lined texture — they do NOT have the full liquid-mirror appearance of PL coins, but have a refined, "frosted glass" look. Rim junction is sharply squared off rather than slightly rounded. Devices are crisply struck. Came exclusively from black leather "Prestige" double-dollar cases.
- Rotation Check: Hold the coin by its top and bottom edges. Flip it forward (rotating toward you around the horizontal axis). The Bluenose schooner reverse should remain upright after this flip. If the ship is tilted or rotated, measure the approximate angle — see Notable Variants for thresholds and values.
Magnet test for the 1973 Canadian dime: the coin is strongly attracted to a neodymium magnet, confirming its 99.9% pure nickel composition. A 1973 dime that does not respond to a magnet is not a standard issue and should be investigated further.
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Cleaning a 1973 nickel dime — whether with metal polish, household acid, abrasive cloth, or even water and soap — strips the original surface luster and leaves hairlines that are immediately visible under magnification. A cleaned coin is graded "Details" (damaged) by all major grading services and loses all numismatic premium regardless of the quality of its underlying design detail. This is especially critical for Proof-Like and Specimen coins, where mirror surfaces reveal cleaning marks instantly and permanently.
For grading certification, ICCS (International Coin Certification Service) is the Canadian standard and the most widely recognized service for Royal Canadian Mint issues. PCGS and NGC are established US-based alternatives that certify Canadian coins and may provide broader auction market recognition, particularly for Registry Set collectors. For high-value 1973 dimes — MS-66 or higher, PL-67 or higher, SP-67 or higher, or any example with Ultra Heavy Cameo contrast — third-party certification is strongly recommended to authenticate finish quality and cameo designation. Population data for graded 1973 dimes is tracked by the PCGS Canadian Coins Population Report.
1973 Canadian Dime Value FAQs
What is a 1973 Canadian dime worth?
Most 1973 Canadian dimes found in circulation are worth $0.10 (face value). In Gem Uncirculated condition (MS-65), Business Strike examples are worth $10.00–$20.00 CAD. At MS-67, prices range from $200.00–$400.00+. Proof-Like coins from collector sets top out near $200.00+ at PL-68. The most valuable non-error examples are Specimen coins with Ultra Heavy Cameo contrast, potentially reaching $300.00–$500.00+ CAD at SP-67.
Is the 1973 Canadian dime rare?
No — the 1973 dime is a common date. With a circulation mintage of 167,715,435, it is one of the higher-production Canadian dimes of its era. The date itself carries no rarity premium. However, the 1973 coin benefits from an unusually high survival rate in uncirculated condition due to the widespread purchase of collector sets driven by the popularity of the 1973 Mountie Quarter. This means Gem examples are accessible, but truly pristine top-pop examples at MS-67 remain genuinely scarce because pure nickel is hard on surface preservation.
What makes a 1973 Canadian dime valuable?
Three factors drive value: (1) Grade — the spread between MS-65 and MS-67 is dramatic; pure nickel records every contact mark, making flawless surfaces rare. (2) Finish — Specimen coins from black leather Prestige cases are the highest quality manufacture and command the highest standard premiums at equivalent grades. (3) Cameo contrast — Heavy Cameo (HC) and Ultra Heavy Cameo (UHC) designations add 50%–100%+ to PL values, and an SP-67 UHC is the single most valuable non-error variant the year offers.
Is my 1973 Canadian dime silver?
No. All standard 1973 Canadian dimes are 99.9% pure nickel with no silver content whatsoever. Canada completed its full transition from silver coinage in 1968. The 1973 dime is strongly magnetic — a simple magnet test confirms this in seconds. If your coin is not attracted to a magnet, it is either a pre-1968 Canadian silver dime (check the date), a foreign coin, or a rare wrong-planchet anomaly outside the scope of this guide.
Should I get my 1973 Canadian dime graded?
Only submit for grading if the coin's value at the anticipated grade exceeds the grading fee. With fees typically running $30–$50 per coin at ICCS, PCGS, and NGC, the economics only make sense for a 1973 dime at MS-66 or higher, PL-67 or higher, SP-67 or higher, or any example showing Heavy Cameo or Ultra Heavy Cameo contrast. Submitting an MS-64 Business Strike (worth $4–$8) or a standard PL-65 (worth $8–$12) guarantees a financial loss. ICCS is the recommended first choice for Canadian issues; PCGS and NGC provide broader auction market recognition and may yield higher realized prices when selling to Registry Set collectors.
What is the difference between Proof-Like (PL) and Specimen (SP) for the 1973 dime?
Proof-Like (PL) coins came from "O Canada" pliofilm sets and Red Envelope sets, struck with mirror-polished dies on standard planchets. They have mirrored fields but vary widely in contrast quality. PL mintage was 243,695. Specimen (SP) coins came from the prestigious black leather double-dollar cases and represent the highest quality manufacture — hand-selected planchets, specially prepared dies, matte/satin field treatment, and sharp squared rims. SP mintage was 119,891. As a result, top-grade Specimen coins generally command higher values than equivalent PL grades, and SP-67 UHC is the year's most valuable non-error coin.
Is there a "Large Bust" variety on the 1973 Canadian dime?
No. The Large Bust vs. Small Bust variety exists exclusively on the 1973 25-cent coin (Quarter), where a mule was struck using 1972 obverse dies. The 1973 dime used the standard Machin obverse die unchanged from 1965 through 1978 — there was no modification to the bust size that would create a distinguishable variety on the dime. Any seller advertising a "Large Bust 1973 Dime" is misattributing the coin. Do not pay a premium for this claimed variety.
What is a Rotated Die and how much is one worth?
A Rotated Die coin occurs when the obverse and reverse dies are not aligned at the standard orientation during installation. To test: hold the coin at the edges, flip it forward vertically — the Bluenose reverse should remain upright. If the ship is tilted or inverted, measure the rotation angle. Minor rotations under 15° carry no premium. Major rotations of 90° to 180° are listed as collectible varieties in Charlton and Trends and can command premiums of $10.00–$50.00 CAD depending on the severity of the rotation and the coin's grade.
What is Heavy Cameo and why does it matter for the 1973 dime?
Cameo contrast describes the visual relationship between a coin's devices (the portrait and ship design) and its fields (the background). Heavy Cameo (HC) means the devices appear distinctly frosted white against bright mirror fields. Ultra Heavy Cameo (UHC) means extreme, nearly photographic black-and-white contrast. For PL coins, Heavy Cameo adds 50%–100% to the standard grade value; UHC examples at PL-65/66 can trade for $100.00+. For Specimen coins, the SP-67 UHC represents the peak of 1973 dime collecting with potential auction realizations of $300.00–$500.00+ CAD.
How can I tell if my shiny 1973 dime came from a collector set?
A loose shiny 1973 dime is almost certainly a PL coin broken from an original "O Canada" set — with 243,695 PL sets produced, many have been opened over the years. Compare the fields using a single strong light source: a Business Strike will show cartwheel luster (the light arcs across the field as you tilt the coin), while a PL coin will have flat mirror fields reflecting the room like a pane of dark glass. A green film or haze is a secondary indicator of original pliofilm packaging. Note that dealers routinely discount raw "uncirculated" 1973 dimes because PL set origin is assumed for any unmarked shiny example.
Methodology & Sources
Values cited in this guide represent estimated market prices in Canadian Dollars (CAD) as of February 2026, synthesized from auction results (Heritage Auctions, GreatCollections), dealer buy/sell lists (Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, Trends), and current market sentiment. Primary references include: NGC Canada 10 Cents KM 77.1 Price Guide (MS/PL); NGC Canada 10 Cents KM 77.1 Price Guide (Specimen); PCGS Canadian Coins Population Report; Numista: 10 Cents — Elizabeth II (2nd portrait, Modified reverse); Royal Canadian Mint official 10-cent reference page; Saskatoon Coin Club: Canadian 10-Cent Major Varieties; and Saskatoon Coin Club: Canadian Mule Coins. Values are estimates and may vary based on current market conditions, buyer/seller dynamics, and coin-specific factors including strike quality and surface preservation. Nothing in this guide constitutes financial or investment advice.
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.