1992 Canadian 10-Cent (Dime) Value Guide — 125th Anniversary of Confederation

The 1992 Canadian 10-cent piece is a commemorative circulation coin issued to mark the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation (1867–1992). Every standard 1992 dime — in circulation or in collector sets — bears the distinctive "1867–1992" double-date reverse as the statutory design for the year; it is not a scarce variant. The coin belongs to the Queen Elizabeth II Diademed Portrait series, with the obverse sculpted by Dora de Pédery-Hunt (Canada's first Canadian-designed royal effigy) and the classic Bluenose schooner reverse by Emanuel Hahn. Despite the year's numismatic complexity — the Canada 125 program also produced silver quarters — the dime was struck exclusively in 99.9% Nickel across all finishes. For values across all years of the Canadian dime, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.

Note: Mint errors such as off-center strikes and wrong-planchet coins exist for this year but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.

1992 Canadian 10-cent "1867–1992" commemorative dime — obverse (Queen Elizabeth II, Diademed Portrait by Dora de Pédery-Hunt) and reverse (Bluenose schooner by Emanuel Hahn). The double-date inscription appears on all 1992 dimes.

1992 Canadian Dime Composition & Melt Value

The "Silver Myth" — Debunked

The Canada 125 program created lasting confusion because the 1992 Proof set included Sterling Silver quarters celebrating the twelve provincial and territorial designs. Many collectors assume the 1992 Proof dime in that same set is also silver. It is not. Comprehensive research into Royal Canadian Mint specifications and standard catalogues confirms that the 10-cent denomination remained 99.9% Pure Nickel across all four finishes — Business Strike, Proof-Like, Specimen, and Proof. The transition to Sterling Silver for Canadian 10-cent Proof issues did not occur until 1996.

Melt Value

Because the 1992 dime contains no precious metal, its intrinsic melt value is negligible — below face value at any reasonable nickel spot price. Do not hoard these coins for metal value. The coin's worth is entirely numismatic, driven by collector demand for high grades. Mintage and composition data referenced from the Saskatoon Coin Club physical specifications reference.

The Magnet Test and Weight Diagnostic

The magnet test is the fastest authentication tool for the 1992 dime. Apply a strong rare-earth magnet:

• Sticks firmly: Standard 99.9% Nickel — the expected result for any 1992 dime in any finish.
• Does NOT stick: Stop. Do not proceed without further testing. Weigh the coin immediately.

A standard 1992 nickel dime weighs exactly 2.07 grams. If a non-magnetic 1992 dime weighs significantly more (for example, approximately 2.33 g for an 80% silver planchet or approximately 2.40 g for a Sterling planchet), it may represent an extremely rare off-metal error requiring professional authentication by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC. Such off-metal strikes are outside the scope of this standard value guide.

Magnet test applied to a 1992 Canadian dime. The coin should stick firmly — all standard 1992 dimes are 99.9% Nickel and are strongly magnetic. A non-magnetic example requires immediate weight verification. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1992 Canadian Dime Value Chart by Grade & Finish

The 1992 dime was produced in four distinct finishes, each with its own value scale. Circulated business strikes carry no premium until the MS65 Gem threshold. Collector finishes (Proof-Like, Specimen, Proof) command modest premiums even in lower certified grades, with Proof Ultra Heavy Cameo examples representing the premium tier. All values in CAD as of February 2026.

1992 Canadian Dime — Business Strike (Circulation)

Mintage: 174,476,000. The 1992 dime is abundant in all circulated grades and in lower uncirculated grades. The public's interest in the Canada 125 program led to widespread roll-saving, meaning MS60–MS63 examples are common and carry minimal premiums. The meaningful value cliff appears at MS65. Mintage data sourced from the Saskatoon Coin Club mintage reference.

Side-by-side grade comparison of two 1992 Canadian dimes: left coin (MS60/circulated — heavy bag marks visible on Queen's cheek and Bluenose hull) vs. right coin (MS65 Gem — virtually mark-free surfaces with strong cartwheel luster). The MS64-to-MS65 value jump from approximately $2.00 to $10.00 reflects how selective the market is for flawless nickel coinage. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1992 Canadian Dime — Proof-Like (PL)

Mintage: 217,597 (from pliofilm Uncirculated Sets). Proof-Like coins were sold in flat, flexible cellophane pliofilm sheets branded in Red or Blue. They exhibit mirror-like fields with brilliant (non-frosted) devices — a notably different appearance from a business strike's cartwheel luster. PL coins graded below PL65 are plentiful given the large set mintage and trade at modest premiums.

1992 Canadian Dime — Specimen (SP)

Specimen coins were sold exclusively in book-style or rigid Specimen sets. They are distinguished by a characteristic matte or lined field texture, sharp squared rims, and crisp device relief — visually quite different from both the business strike's cartwheel luster and the Proof's deep mirror fields. A Specimen coin found in circulation is considered impaired and loses its collector premium, falling to near business-strike pricing.

1992 Canadian Dime — Proof (PR)

Mintage: 147,061 (from velvet/black clamshell Proof sets). Proof coins represent the highest production quality: deep, watery mirror fields appear almost black when tilted, while the portrait and Bluenose devices are heavily frosted white — creating the cameo contrast collectors prize. Proof dimes in the Canada 125 set are nickel, not silver. Heavy Cameo (HC) examples carry a documented premium of 20–30% over standard Proof prices; Ultra Heavy Cameo (UHC) examples — with striking "black-and-white" contrast — represent the ultimate premium tier. Pricing data referenced from the NGC Price Guide for Canada 10 Cents KM-206 and Calgary Coin Canadian dime reference.

Cameo contrast comparison for the 1992 Canadian Proof dime: left (standard Proof — brilliant fields and devices); center (Heavy Cameo — moderate frosting on the Queen's portrait against mirror fields); right (Ultra Heavy Cameo / UHC — striking "black-and-white" contrast with deep mirror fields and bold frosted white devices). HC examples command a 20–30% premium; UHC examples at PR69/70 reach $30–$50 CAD. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

Values in CAD represent typical retail market prices as of February 2026. For the complete denomination price guide across all years, see our Canadian Dime Value Guide.

Most Valuable 1992 Canadian Dime Varieties

A) Trophy-Level Condition Rarities

The primary driver of exceptional value in 1992 dimes is condition rarity. Pure nickel is a hard metal, but it marks easily during the minting and bagging process. Finding a coin that passed through production without a single distracting contact mark on the Queen's cheek or the Bluenose's hull is statistically rare despite the 174-million-coin mintage. These coins require third-party certification by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC to achieve market premiums — raw, uncertified examples will not realize these values.

Auction records from GreatCollections Canada 1992 10 Cents archives and Heritage Auctions confirm that while MS68 examples can spike in realized price, trading volume is low. The 1992 dime is not a key date, but certified high-grade examples maintain a steady collector following driven by the "Canada 125" commemorative theme and Registry Set competition. See also the PCGS Population Report for Canadian Coins for current census data on high-grade survivors.

B) Findable Die Variety — Rotated Die

The most significant catalogued die variety for the 1992 dime is the Rotated Die, listed in the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins. The Royal Canadian Mint normally aligns dies in Medal Alignment (↑↑): if you flip the coin vertically from top to bottom, the reverse should appear upright. A Rotated Die escaped quality control with one die turned relative to the other, causing the Bluenose to appear sideways or inverted.

The Rotated Die is a genuine catalogued variety, not an error in the traditional sense. Premium value depends on the degree of rotation: a 180° coin rotation is more dramatic and commands a higher premium than a minor 20°–30° rotation. For attribution resources, see George Manz Coins Canadian silver dime reference and the Charlton Standard Catalogue.

Rotated Die diagnostic for the 1992 Canadian dime: left coin shows standard Medal Alignment (↑↑) with Bluenose upright after flipping vertically; right coin shows a 90° Rotated Die with Bluenose appearing sideways. A 180° rotation (coin alignment, Bluenose inverted) is the most dramatic — and most valuable — form of this variety, worth $10–$50 CAD depending on degree. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1992 Canadian Dime Identification Guide

Use this 30-second checklist to determine exactly what you have before consulting the value tables above. This process resolves the most common identification errors — particularly finish confusion and the silver misconception.

30-Second Forensic Checklist

1. Monarch Check: The obverse should show Queen Elizabeth II wearing a diamond diadem (crown), with the portrait facing right. This is the Third Portrait by Dora de Pédery-Hunt, used from 1990 to 2003. The legend reads ELIZABETH II D GRATIA REGINA CANADA.
2. Reverse Check: The reverse shows the Bluenose schooner under sail, designed by Emanuel Hahn — the same design used on all Canadian 10-cent pieces since 1937. The date inscription reads "1867–1992".
3. Date Check: Both "1867" and "1992" must appear. A coin with only "1992" is not a confirmed standard issue.
4. Edge Check: The edge is reeded (milled) — you should feel and see fine ridges around the circumference. A plain-edge 1992 dime would be anomalous.
5. Magnet Test (Composition Verification): Hold a strong magnet near the coin.
   • Coin sticks: Standard 99.9% Nickel — correct for all 1992 dimes in all finishes.
   • Coin does NOT stick: Weigh the coin immediately. If it weighs materially more than 2.07 g, seek professional authentication — this is outside the scope of this guide.
6. Mint Marks: No mint marks appear on standard 1992 circulation coins or standard collector-set coins, regardless of whether they were struck in Ottawa or Winnipeg. There is no documented "W" Winnipeg mark variety for this year's dime.
7. Finish Identification (Critical Value Step): See the Finish Matrix below.
8. Variety Check: If the coin passes all the above, flip it vertically top-to-bottom. If the Bluenose appears sideways or inverted rather than upright, you may have the Rotated Die variety (see Most Valuable Variants above).

Finish Identification Matrix

The finish determines the value scale. Identifying it correctly is the single most important step for a set-coin holder.

Four-way finish comparison for the 1992 Canadian dime: Business Strike (cartwheel luster, visible bag marks), Proof-Like (mirror fields, brilliant devices, moderate contrast), Specimen (matte/lined fields, sharp squared rim), and Proof (deep black mirror fields, bold frosted white portrait and Bluenose — Heavy Cameo shown). Finish identification is the critical first step in determining value. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)

1992 Canadian Dime Value FAQs

Methodology & Sources

Values in this guide reflect typical Canadian retail asking prices as of February 2026 and represent what a collector should expect to pay for a coin in the stated grade — not record-breaking auction peaks. All prices are in Canadian Dollars (CAD).

Primary sources consulted:

• Numista — 10 Cents Elizabeth II (Confederation), Canada: Historical context, varieties, and specification reference.
• Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian Circulation Coin Physical Specifications: Weight, diameter, edge, and alignment data.
• Saskatoon Coin Club — Canadian Circulation Coin Mintage Quantities: Mintage data for Business Strike, PL, and Proof finishes.
• Calgary Coin — Canadian 10-Cent Dime Pricing Reference: Retail pricing trends for PL and Proof finishes.
• NGC Price Guide — Canada 10 Cents KM-206 (1867-1992): Supplementary pricing and specification confirmation.
• PCGS Population Report — Canadian Coins: Census data for high-grade certified survivors (MS67/MS68).
• GreatCollections — Canada 1992 10 Cents Auction Archive: Realized prices for high-grade certified examples.
• George Manz Coins — Canadian Dime Reference: Variety attribution reference for Rotated Die.
• Royal Canadian Mint — 10 Cents: Official confirmation of Canada 125 program composition details.
• Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins: Primary reference for variety attribution and NCLT pricing.

Market values are typical retail prices and may vary with spot market conditions, regional demand, and individual coin eye appeal. Values shown are not guarantees of purchase or sale price. This guide covers standard (non-error) varieties only.