1987 Canadian 10-Cent (Dime) Value Guide

The 1987 Canadian 10-cent coin is one of the final issues bearing the Arnold Machin Second Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II — the effigy that ran from 1965 to 1989 — paired with Emanuel Hahn's iconic Bluenose Schooner reverse, an enduring fixture of the Canadian dime. With a business-strike mintage of 147,309,000, it is abundant in circulated grades but constitutes a genuine condition rarity in pristine Gem uncirculated state: the hardness of the 99.9% nickel planchet made mark-free survivors statistically uncommon. Four distinct finishes were produced in 1987 — business strike, Proof-Like, Specimen, and Proof — and correctly identifying which you hold is the single most important step in accurate valuation. For pricing across all years of this denomination, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.

Note: Errors such as off-metal strikes and dramatic clips exist for this era but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.

1987 Canadian 10-cent coin — obverse (Arnold Machin Second Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, 1965–1989) and reverse (Bluenose Schooner by Emanuel Hahn). Reeded edge, 99.9% nickel, 18.03mm diameter.

1987 Canadian Dime Composition & Melt Value

A firm understanding of the 1987 dime's metal content prevents two common valuation errors: treating the coin as a silver bullion item, and assuming that the Proof finish indicates silver content. Neither assumption is correct for this year.

Composition: 99.9% Pure Nickel — All Finishes

Every 1987 Canadian 10-cent coin — whether a circulation business strike pulled from a bank roll, a Proof-Like from a pliofilm collector set, a Specimen from a leatherette case, or a Proof from a clamshell box — is composed of 99.9% pure nickel. The Royal Canadian Mint did not strike a silver version of the 1987 dime in any finish. This uniformity is confirmed by the coin's statutory weight and its magnetic response.

Melt Value: Negligible

Because the coin contains no silver or gold, its intrinsic metallic value is derived solely from the industrial spot price of nickel. As of February 2026, the melt value of approximately 2.07 grams of nickel is substantially lower than the coin's $0.10 face value. This coin is not a bullion item. Numismatic value far exceeds intrinsic metal value across all grades and finishes.

Weight as a Diagnostic Tool

The standard weight of the 1987 10-cent coin is 2.07 grams, consistent across all finishes. For context, pre-1968 Canadian silver dimes (struck in 80% silver) typically weigh approximately 2.33 grams. If a coin matching the 1987 dime's appearance weighs measurably more, it is likely an earlier silver issue — not a 1987 example. A precision digital scale is the simplest way to distinguish silver-era from nickel-era Canadian dimes before resorting to a magnet test. The Saskatoon Coin Club's Canadian circulation coin specifications reference documents these weight differences across all eras, and the Royal Canadian Mint's official 10-cent denomination page confirms current specifications.

Magnetic Properties

All 1987 Canadian dimes are strongly magnetic owing to the 99.9% nickel composition. This applies universally — business strike, PL, SP, and PR alike. A coin of this date that does not respond to a magnet is either a counterfeit or an off-metal error; the latter is outside the scope of this guide. The magnet test is therefore both an authentication step and a definitive check against the silver myth.

1987 Canadian Dime Value Chart by Grade & Finish

The 1987 dime market is defined by condition rarity, not absolute rarity. With 147 million business-strike coins produced, value in circulated grades is negligible. Meaningful numismatic premiums emerge at Gem uncirculated (MS65) and above for business strikes, and across all grade levels for the three collector finishes. Values below are in CAD as of February 2026, sourced from the NGC World Coin Price Guide for Canada 10 Cents KM 77.2 and corroborated by dealer and market data.

1987 Canadian Dime — Business Strike (Circulation)

Composition: 99.9% Nickel | Mintage: 147,309,000 | Finish: Standard cartwheel luster

The 1987 business strike dime is a volume coin. Dealers do not typically sell circulated examples individually — they appear in junk bins and bulk rolls. The value increment at MS65 reflects genuine difficulty: nickel is a hard metal, and coins ejected at speed during the minting process routinely scarred each other with contact marks. A gem-quality example free of distracting surface marks is a statistical rarity from rolls, even with 147 million produced.

Grade comparison for the 1987 Canadian business-strike dime — worn circulated (face value), MS63 Select Uncirculated (~$0.40), and MS65 Gem Uncirculated (~$0.75). The sharp increase in standards between MS63 and MS65 reflects why nickel coins of this era are genuine condition rarities at Gem. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1987 Canadian Dime — Collector Finishes (PL, SP & Proof)

All Compositions: 99.9% Nickel | Source: NCLT Collector Sets

The four finishes of the 1987 Canadian dime: Business Strike (cartwheel luster), Proof-Like (mirror fields, brilliant devices), Specimen (matte/striated fields, sharp devices), and Proof (deep mirror fields, heavy cameo frosting). All are 99.9% nickel — finish identification is the primary value driver. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

Values in CAD represent typical retail prices as of February 2026. For complete pricing across all years, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide. Comparative technical data is also available at Numista's 1987 Canadian 10-cent page.

Most Valuable 1987 Canadian Dime Varieties

No Die Varieties Documented

Unlike some Canadian issues — such as the 1965 nickel with its Large Beads and Small Beads die varieties — the 1987 10-cent piece has no widely recognized die varieties catalogued in the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins or the Unitrade catalogue that command a separate price premium. No Doubled Die Obverse, Repunched Date, or other catalogued die variety has been identified for this year. Value for the 1987 dime is driven entirely by finish type and grade preservation.

Trophy-Level Condition Rarities

The highest prices paid for 1987 dimes are reserved for examples that have achieved near-perfect grades in certified holders, driven by Registry Set competition. These represent condition rarities — statistically unlikely survivors of the high-volume, high-contact nickel striking process. Values in the table below are estimated from the NGC price guide as of February 2026.

Close-up of the 1987 Canadian Proof dime reverse showing the characteristic Heavy Cameo (DCAM) effect — deep black-mirror fields contrasting sharply against the frosty white relief of the Bluenose Schooner. This deep cameo contrast is standard for the 1987 Proof issue, not an exceptional variant.

Finish-Based Split Points (Findable)

Although there are no die varieties to search for, correctly identifying the finish of a loose 1987 dime is a findable premium. Distinguishing a Proof coin from a business strike can turn a $0.10 face-value piece into a $10–$22 collectible. The table below summarizes finish-based premium ranges for coins encountered outside their original packaging.

1987 Canadian Dime Identification Guide

30-Second Triage Checklist

1. Monarch Check: The obverse should show Queen Elizabeth II in right profile, wearing a tiara and draped mantle. This is the Arnold Machin Second Portrait, used from 1965 to 1989. It is a more mature depiction than the earlier Mary Gillick Young Head (1953–1964) and lacks the diamond diadem crown of the later Dora de Pédery-Hunt Third Portrait (1990–2003).
2. Reverse Check: Confirm the Bluenose Schooner under full sail, designed by Emanuel Hahn, with the inscription CANADA 10 CENTS.
3. Date Check: Confirm 1987 below the portrait truncation on the obverse.
4. Edge Check: The edge is reeded (finely grooved). A smooth edge on a coin of this diameter is foreign to a genuine Canadian dime.
5. Magnet Test — Composition Verification: Apply a strong magnet to the coin. A genuine 1987 Canadian dime in any finish — including the Proof issue — must stick strongly. The coin is 99.9% pure nickel. A non-magnetic coin of this date is either a counterfeit or an off-metal error. The magnet test simultaneously debunks the silver myth: if the coin were silver, it would not attract the magnet.
6. Mint Marks: No mint marks appear on 1987 Canadian 10-cent coins. No documented Winnipeg "W" variant exists for this year. The absence of any mark is expected and normal.
7. Finish Identification — The Critical Step: Hold the coin under a single strong point-light source and tilt it slowly. The background fields will reveal the finish type; see the detailed guide below.

Finish Visual Test (Detailed)

• Business Strike (Circulation): Fields display the classic "cartwheel" luster — a rolling bar of light sweeping across the surface as you tilt the coin. Surfaces commonly show small contact marks or bag chatter from production handling. Common; value: face value to $0.75–$1.15 at MS65.
• Proof-Like (PL): Fields are mirror-reflective — they reproduce a clear reflection of nearby objects. The portrait and ship (the raised relief) are also brilliant and shiny, not frosted. Originally sealed in flat red or blue pliofilm/cellophane packs. Premium: $1.50–$5.00 depending on grade.
• Specimen (SP): Fields are matte or show fine parallel striations — they do not reflect like a mirror and appear somewhat dull or brushed under oblique light. The portrait and ship are sharply struck and shiny, creating a deliberate contrast with the non-reflective background. Originally from a leatherette book-style case or hard plastic slider set. Premium: $2–$8 depending on grade.
• Proof (PR): Fields are a deep mirror — appearing almost black when tilted to reflect a dark background or the room ceiling. The portrait and ship carry heavy white frost, producing a stark black-and-white cameo contrast. Rims are distinctly squared and sharp. Originally from a black clamshell Double Dollar set. Premium: $10–$22 in documented grades.

Magnet test for the 1987 Canadian dime — the coin sticks strongly, confirming 99.9% pure nickel composition. This result applies to ALL four finishes, including the Proof issue. A non-magnetic 1987 dime would indicate a counterfeit or off-metal error.

Field texture comparison: Specimen (SP) matte/striated fields on the left versus Proof-Like (PL) mirror fields on the right. Both are 1987 Canadian dimes. Correctly distinguishing the two is critical — a Specimen commands a premium over a Proof-Like at equivalent grades. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

ICCS vs PCGS / NGC

The ICCS (International Coin Certification Service) is the Canadian-market standard for grading domestic coinage. ICCS applies strict eye-appeal standards and is widely accepted by Canadian dealers. An ICCS MS66 is often considered equivalent to a PCGS or NGC MS67 in the trade. For Registry Set competition and the highest realized values at trophy grades (MS67, MS68, MS69), PCGS and NGC slabs drive the premium. For general transactions in the Canadian market, ICCS certification is the practical choice.

1987 Canadian Dime Value FAQs

Methodology & Sources

Values in this guide reflect typical CAD retail market prices — what a collector would expect to pay a dealer — as of February 2026. They are not dealer buy prices. Data was synthesized from the following primary sources:

• NGC World Coin Price Guide — Canada 10 Cents KM 77.2 (1979–1989): Primary source for grade-by-grade business-strike and Proof valuations; confirmed 99.9% nickel composition for the 1987 Proof dime.
• Numista — Canada 10 Cents (Elizabeth II, 2nd portrait modified): Technical specifications and comparative pricing for Specimen and uncirculated issues.
• Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins: Baseline reference for variety definitions, CLT vs NCLT distinctions, and confirmation that no catalogued die varieties exist for the 1987 10-cent piece.
• Royal Canadian Mint — 10 Cents: Official denomination page confirming series context and specifications.
• Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian Circulation Coin Physical Specifications: Weight comparison reference between 1987 nickel dimes and earlier silver issues.
• The Coin Shoppe — 1987 PL Set and London Coin Centre — 1987 Specimen Set: Dealer listings used to verify set compositions and mintage data for collector finishes.
• Wikipedia — Dime (Canadian coin): General series context reference.

Market values fluctuate with collector demand and certification population changes. Always cross-reference with current dealer listings and grading-service price guides before buying or selling.