2010 Canadian 25-Cent (Quarter) Value Guide
Find out what your 2010 Canadian quarter is worth. Complete price guide for the Standard Caribou, Remembrance Day Poppy, Specimen, and Silver Proof finishes — with current CAD market values as of February 2026.
Most 2010 Canadian quarters found in pocket change are worth exactly their face value of $0.25 CAD. In top certified grades (MS-65), value climbs to $10–$25 depending on design. Sterling Silver Proof NCLT examples carry a melt-value floor of approximately $19.04 CAD and retail for $25–$35.
- Circulated (pocket change): $0.25 face value — both Caribou and Remembrance Poppy designs
- Brilliant Uncirculated (MS60–62): $0.50–$2.50 depending on design
- Choice Uncirculated (MS63–64): $2.00–$10.00 depending on design
- Gem Uncirculated (MS65): $10.00–$18.00 (Caribou) / $15.00–$25.00 (Poppy)
- Specimen SP68–69 (from Annual Specimen Sets): $4.00–$8.00
- Sterling Silver Proof PR68–69 (NCLT only): $25.00–$35.00
Is it silver? Apply a magnet — a standard steel-core 2010 quarter clings firmly. Only the Sterling Silver Proof NCLT issue (5.90 g vs. the standard 4.40 g) is non-magnetic. From a set with mirror fields? That is a Specimen or Silver Proof, not a rare high-grade business strike — both command premiums well above face value. All values in CAD as of February 2026. See full value chart →
The 2010 Canadian quarter marks a definitive return to standard circulation output following the multi-year Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics commemorative quarter program — notably, every circulating Olympic-sport quarter was dated 2007, 2008, or 2009, meaning no 2010-dated Olympic-sport circulation quarter was ever produced. The year yielded two circulation designs: the perennial Standard Caribou (Emanuel Hahn, 1937) and the Remembrance Day Poppy (Cosme Saffioti) commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the end of World War II, alongside a range of premium Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) collector products in base metal, Sterling Silver, and Pure Gold. For a full overview of all Canadian quarter years and designs, see the Canadian Quarter Value Guide.
Note: Mint errors such as off-center strikes and wrong-planchet anomalies exist for 2010 but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.
2010 Canadian Quarter Composition & Melt Value
Left: 2010 Standard Caribou circulation quarter (4.40 g, multi-ply plated steel — strongly magnetic). Right: 2010 Sterling Silver Proof NCLT quarter (5.90 g, 92.5% silver — non-magnetic). The weight difference is the fastest physical confirmation. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Circulation Issues: Multi-Ply Plated Steel (MPPS)
The vast majority of 2010 quarters — all Standard Caribou and Remembrance Day Poppy circulation strikes — were manufactured using the Royal Canadian Mint's patented Multi-Ply Plated Steel (MPPS) technology. The alloy combines a 94% low-carbon steel core (which provides structural integrity and the pronounced ferromagnetic properties required by automated coin-sorting and vending systems), a 3.8% copper intermediate bonding layer applied during electroplating, and a 2.2% nickel outer plating that delivers the coin's bright, silver-like appearance and corrosion resistance.
There is no precious metal content in the MPPS circulation strike. The intrinsic melt value of the combined base metals in a single 4.40 g coin is negligible — well below one cent on global commodity markets. The economic baseline for any circulated 2010 MPPS quarter is strictly its $0.25 CAD face value.
ℹ️ Magnet Test: The Essential Diagnostic
Apply a neodymium magnet to any standard 2010 circulation quarter. It will snap firmly to the magnet, confirming the low-carbon steel core. This immediately identifies the coin as a standard CLT business strike or a base-metal Specimen collector coin. A non-magnetic result demands further investigation — see the Silver Proof details below.
NCLT Issue: Sterling Silver Proof (.925)
The RCM produced a Sterling Silver version of the Standard Caribou quarter for the 2010 Annual Proof Double Dollar Sets, with approximately 55,000 sets issued. Full composition and specification details are confirmed in the Colonial Acres Coins listing for the 2010 Silver Proof quarter and the Numista 2010 Silver Quarter reference.
Melt value calculation (February 2026 benchmark): Multiply total weight by purity to get pure silver content: 5.90 g × 0.925 = 5.4575 g of pure silver. Multiply by the spot price: 5.4575 g × $3.49 CAD/gram = approximately $19.04 CAD. This melt value represents the absolute commodity floor beneath the coin's numismatic retail value of $25–$35 CAD. Silver spot prices fluctuate daily; the formula above can be recalculated using any current benchmark. This coin is non-magnetic — it will not adhere to a magnet.
NCLT Issue: Pure Gold Fractional (99.99%)
The RCM also issued a highly specialized miniature 25-cent piece struck in pure gold. At just 11 mm in diameter and 0.50 grams, it is among the smallest coins ever produced by the Mint. Its production was capped at 15,000 units. The official RCM archive listing for the 2010 Gold Caribou fractional confirms specifications. Value for this piece is driven by its pure gold content combined with its strict mintage limit and novelty as a micro-denomination precision strike; it trades well above its raw commodity weight at $225–$300+ CAD.
2010 Canadian Quarter Value Chart by Grade & Finish
Grade comparison for the 2010 Standard Caribou quarter: a heavily circulated example (left, face value only) versus a Gem Uncirculated MS-65 example (right, $10–$18). The Queen's cheek and the Caribou's shoulder are the primary focal areas graders examine most critically for bag marks and wear. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
2010 Canadian Quarter — Circulation Business Strikes (CLT)
| Design | Circulated (pocket change) | BU (MS60–62) | Choice Unc (MS63–64) | Gem Unc (MS65) | Mintage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Caribou | $0.25 | $0.50–$1.00 | $2.00–$5.00 | $10.00–$18.00 | 167,500,000 | Trophy condition rarity: MS67+ reaches $60–$100+. Massive mintage anchors all circulated examples at face value. |
| Remembrance Day Poppy (Colorized) | $0.25–$0.50 | $1.00–$2.50 | $4.00–$10.00 | $15.00–$25.00 | 11,000,000 | Colorized pad-printed reverse (Cosme Saffioti). Pristine, unchipped enamel places coin at upper end of each grade range. |
Sources: Coins Unlimited — 2010 Caribou BU (2024); Numista — 2010 Remembrance Poppy Quarter (2024); Calgary Coin Gallery pricing guide (2024).
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Dipping a 2010 quarter in silver solvents or polishing it with a cloth will strip the nickel plating and leave microscopic parallel hairlines across the fields. A polished coin is graded "Details — Cleaned" and permanently reverts to face value regardless of its underlying condition. The same caution applies to the colorized Remembrance Poppy: any attempt to re-paint flaked enamel with aftermarket materials is detectable under a loupe and constitutes deceptive alteration.
ℹ️ The MPPS Bag-Mark Problem
Multi-Ply Plated Steel planchets are exceptionally hard. When millions of steel blanks collide inside minting hoppers and sorting machines, the resulting gouges — known as bag marks — are deep and highly visible in focal areas. Finding a business-strike example that survived this process without a single distracting mark on the Queen's cheek or the Caribou's shoulder is statistically rare, which is why the value cliff from MS64 ($2–$5) to MS67+ ($60–$100+) is so dramatic for this issue.
The 2010 Remembrance Day Poppy quarter reverse by Cosme Saffioti, featuring a uniformed soldier flanked by two large pad-printed red poppies (65th Anniversary of the end of World War II). Mintage: 11,000,000. Pristine enamel with no chipping or paint encroachment beyond the petals' struck boundaries is essential for premium BU grades.
2010 Canadian Quarter — Specimen Finish (NCLT)
| Design | Finish | Typical Grade | Value | Mintage (sets) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Caribou | Specimen (SP) | SP68–SP69 | $4.00–$8.00 | ~35,000 | From Annual Specimen Sets only. Matte/parallel-lined fields with frosted devices. Base-metal MPPS composition — magnetic. |
Source: London Coin Centre auction and retail data (2024). The Specimen finish is a specialized presentation method: background fields are treated to produce a matte or microscopic parallel-line texture, creating stark visual contrast against the brilliantly frosted raised devices. This is entirely distinct from both the cartwheel luster of a business strike and the deep mirror finish of a proof. Specimen coins from Annual Sets are virtually guaranteed to grade in the SP65+ range as they are never touched by commerce.
2010 Canadian Quarter — Sterling Silver Proof (NCLT)
| Design | Finish | Typical Grade | Standard Value | Trophy (PR69–PR70 DCAM) | Silver Melt Floor | Mintage (sets) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Caribou | Silver Proof (PR) | PR68–PR69 | $25.00–$35.00 | $50.00–$85.00 | ~$19.04 CAD | ~55,000 |
Sources: Colonial Acres Coins — 2010 Silver Proof Quarter (2024); Century Stamps and Coins — 2010 Proof Double Dollar Set (2024). The deep-mirror fields and heavily frosted cameo devices of a Proof strike are immediately distinguishable from a Specimen. Achieving PR70 Deep Cameo — mathematical perfection at the top of the grading scale — is exceptionally rare and commands the significant trophy premium shown. This coin is non-magnetic.
ℹ️ Silver Melt Value Floor
The ~$19.04 CAD melt value is calculated at the February 2026 benchmark of $3.49 CAD/gram silver spot: 5.90 g × 0.925 purity × $3.49/g. Silver spot fluctuates daily — if the price has moved significantly, recalculate using the same formula. Under normal market conditions a Silver Proof quarter will not trade below its raw silver melt value.
2010 Canadian Quarter — NCLT Colorized & Thematic Issues (Including Gold)
| Design | Finish / Product | Value (Gem / Proof) | Mintage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Maple Leaves (Oh! Canada) | Colorized PL/BU (NCLT) | $15.00–$35.00 | Unlimited | From "Oh! Canada" gift sets. Unlimited mintage — value reflects theme appeal, not scarcity. |
| Goldfinch (Birds of Canada) | Colorized Specimen (NCLT) | $20.00–$40.00 | 13,991 | Strictly limited mintage adds meaningful collectibility above the gift-set issues. |
| Holiday / Seasonal (Santa, Heart & Roses) | Colorized PL (NCLT) | $15.00–$25.00 | Varied | Thematic gift-market items. Values stable near original issue price. |
| Standard Caribou (Gold Fractional) | Proof, 99.99% Gold, 0.50 g (NCLT) | $225.00–$300.00+ | 15,000 | 11 mm diameter — smallest 25-cent piece produced by the RCM. Value driven by gold content plus novelty rarity. |
Sources: London Coin Centre — 2010 Goldfinch Quarter (2024); NGC Price Guide — Canada 25 Cents KM 493 (2003–2012).
All values in CAD represent typical market prices as of February 2026. For the complete denomination price guide, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.
Most Valuable 2010 Canadian Quarter Varieties & Trophies
Two 2010 Canadian NCLT quarter designs: the Goldfinch colorized Specimen (left, mintage 13,991) and the Oh! Canada Three Maple Leaves colorized BU/PL (right, unlimited mintage). The dramatic mintage difference directly explains their respective premium ranges.
A. Trophy-Level Examples (Condition Rarity & Precious Metal Premiums)
The highest 2010 quarter valuations are reached through two distinct routes: extreme condition rarity on Multi-Ply Plated Steel business strikes surviving the automated sorting process with near-flawless surfaces, and the precious metal content plus mintage caps of NCLT issues.
| What | Why It Commands a Premium | Grade / Finish Required | Typical High-End Value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Standard Caribou Business Strike MS67+ | Extreme condition rarity. MPPS steel planchets sustain severe bag-mark attrition during high-speed automated sorting, making an essentially flawless high-grade example a heavily contested registry coin. | ICCS or PCGS MS67 or higher | $60–$100+ | Calgary Coin Gallery / ICCS historicals (2024) |
| 2010 Standard Caribou — Pure Gold Fractional (0.50 g) | 99.99% fine gold content combined with a strict 15,000-unit mintage cap. Novelty as the RCM's smallest-ever 25-cent coin (11 mm). | Proof finish, original RCM packaging | $225–$300+ | CDN Coin Retail Archive (2024) |
| 2010 Silver Proof PR69–PR70 Deep Cameo | Mathematical perfection at the absolute apex of the proof grading scale. Deep Cameo contrast is the defining characteristic demanded by registry set collectors. | PCGS or NGC PR69 or PR70 Deep Cameo | $50–$85 | Market observation, 2024 graded proof data |
B. Findable Identification Split Points
The following checkpoints are not traditional die varieties but represent critical identification splits that directly determine whether a coin is worth $0.25 or significantly more.
| Variant / Split Point | Catalogue Ref | How to Identify | Premium Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| "2010 Olympic Quarter" Date Anomaly | N/A | Check the obverse date on any Olympic-sport quarter (Speed Skating, Ice Hockey, Bobsleigh, etc.). All circulating Olympic-sport designs are dated 2007, 2008, or 2009. A circulating 2010-dated Olympic-sport quarter does not exist. Confirming a 2010 date guarantees the coin is either a Standard Caribou or a Remembrance Day Poppy. | Eliminates false premiums; prevents misidentification of a 2009 coin as a scarce 2010 variant. |
| 2010 Silver Proof Non-Magnetic (KM# 493a) | KM# 493a | Apply a strong neodymium magnet. Standard steel quarters snap firmly; the .925 Sterling Silver Proof is diamagnetic and will not adhere at all. Confirm with weight: silver proof = 5.90 g vs. 4.40 g for steel. | Immediately elevates value from $0.25 pocket change to a ~$19 silver melt floor, with full numismatic retail of $25–$35 if proof surfaces are intact. |
| Pristine Colorized Poppy — High Enamel Preservation | RCM# 113637 | Examine the pad-printed red poppies under magnification. Flaking or chipping enamel is common on circulated examples. Fully intact paint with no encroachment beyond the petals' struck boundaries places the coin at the upper end of the BU value range. | Supports the higher end of the $1.00–$2.50 BU range; heavy paint damage reverts coin to face value. |
2010 Canadian Quarter Identification Guide
2010 Canadian Standard Caribou quarter: obverse (left) featuring the Susanna Blunt uncrowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the legend "ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA," and reverse (right) with the left-facing Caribou design engraved by Emanuel Hahn (1937). All genuine 2010 quarters have a reeded (milled) edge.
30-Second Numismatic Diagnostic Checklist
Step 1 — Verify the Monarch & Portrait: The obverse must show Queen Elizabeth II facing right in the mature, bare-headed (uncrowned) Fourth Portrait designed by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt. This portrait was introduced in 2003 and remained in use until 2022, covering the full 2010 date range. The legend reads ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA. If you see an older crowned portrait — such as the Dora de Pédery-Hunt diademed Third Portrait (1990–2003) — the coin is not from 2010. If you see King Charles III, the coin is from 2023 or later.
Step 2 — Verify the Date and Reverse Design (The Olympic Caveat): The date must clearly read "2010." Identify the reverse: a left-facing caribou head (Standard Caribou design) or a bowed uniformed soldier flanked by two large red poppies (Remembrance Day Poppy — 65th Anniversary of WWII). If you see an Olympic sport design such as Speed Skating, Ice Hockey, or Bobsleigh, check the date carefully. All circulating Olympic-sport quarters were dated 2007–2009, not 2010. Confirm this through the Saskatoon Coin Club Canadian mintage records. An Olympic-sport coin in your hand is almost certainly dated 2009 or earlier.
Step 3 — The Magnet Quick-Test (Critical Composition Diagnostic): Apply a neodymium magnet to the coin.
- Snaps firmly to the magnet: The coin has a low-carbon steel core. It is a standard MPPS circulation strike or a base-metal Specimen collector coin — the vast majority of 2010 quarters behave this way.
- Does not adhere to the magnet: Non-magnetic. This is the strongest indicator of the .925 Sterling Silver Proof NCLT issue. Confirm with weight: the silver proof weighs 5.90 g versus 4.40 g for the steel standard — a palpable difference when the two are compared side by side.
Step 4 — Verify the Edge: All genuine 2010 Canadian quarters have a reeded (milled) edge — continuous serrations running around the circumference. A smooth edge would indicate a non-genuine coin or a foreign denomination.
Step 5 — Identify the Finish:
- Business Strike (Circulation): Standard frosty or slightly dull luster. Expect visible bag marks in primary focal areas — the Queen's cheek and the Caribou's shoulder. Circulated examples will show flattening on the highest points of the design.
- Brilliant Uncirculated (BU): Harvested from Mint-sealed pliofilm sets or undisturbed bank rolls. Strong, unbroken cartwheel luster with crisp details; minor bag marks may still be present but should not distract from the overall eye appeal.
- Specimen (SP): Matte or microscopic parallel-lined background fields contrast with brilliantly frosted raised devices — an immediately distinctive visual effect. Originates exclusively from Annual Specimen Sets.
- Proof (PR): Deep mirror-like background fields with heavily frosted cameo devices, producing a dramatic contrast sometimes called "cameo" or "deep cameo." Struck multiple times at low speed. In 2010, Proof finish is found only on the NCLT Sterling Silver and Pure Gold issues. These originally came in protective leather or velvet presentation cases and are non-magnetic.
Step 6 — Check for Documented Marks: No mint marks appear on 2010 Canadian circulation quarters. The "W" mark for the Winnipeg facility is not documented for 2010 quarter issues. Standard identification relies entirely on date, design, finish, and composition testing.
Three-way finish comparison for the 2010 Caribou quarter: Business Strike (left, standard cartwheel luster with typical bag marks visible in the fields), Specimen (center, matte parallel-lined fields with frosted devices), and Silver Proof (right, deep mirror fields with dramatic cameo frosting). These are three fundamentally different manufacturing outcomes. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
The definitive 2010 quarter composition test: the standard Multi-Ply Plated Steel (MPPS) circulation quarter (left) clings firmly to a neodymium magnet; the Sterling Silver Proof NCLT quarter (right) is diamagnetic and will not adhere. Always confirm a non-magnetic result with weight — the silver proof is noticeably heavier at 5.90 g versus 4.40 g for the steel standard. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
⚠️ Colorized Poppy Re-Paint Warning
The pad-printed enamel on the 2010 Remembrance Poppy flakes off with normal circulation friction. Some sellers attempt to re-apply aftermarket paint to restore a worn coin's appearance. Examine the boundary between the poppy petals and the coin's field under a 10× loupe: genuine pad printing is contained precisely within the struck boundaries of the design. Any paint extending over struck relief lines or onto the field indicates post-mint alteration and permanently destroys numismatic value.
2010 Canadian Quarter Value FAQs
What is a 2010 Canadian quarter worth?
Most 2010 Canadian quarters found in everyday circulation are worth exactly their face value of $0.25 CAD. A Choice Uncirculated (MS63–64) Caribou example with minimal bag marks trades for $2.00–$5.00, while a Gem (MS65) Caribou reaches $10–$18 and a Gem Remembrance Poppy reaches $15–$25. Sterling Silver Proof NCLT examples — identifiable by their non-magnetic response and heavier 5.90 g weight — carry a melt-value floor near $19 CAD and retail for $25–$35 in typical proof grades. All values are in CAD as of February 2026.
Is a 2010 Canadian quarter rare?
The Standard Caribou business strike is not rare — 167.5 million were produced for circulation. The Remembrance Day Poppy, at 11 million pieces, is more frequently extracted from circulation by collectors because of its colorized design, making pristine uncirculated examples somewhat harder to find in rolls. True rarity exists at the absolute top of the grading scale (MS67+ for steel business strikes) and within the limited-issue NCLT products: the Pure Gold fractional (15,000 units), the Goldfinch colorized Specimen (13,991 units), and the Sterling Silver Proof (approximately 55,000 sets).
What makes a 2010 Canadian quarter valuable above face value?
Three factors drive value above $0.25: (1) Grade — a business-strike example preserved in pristine, uncirculated condition at MS65 or higher, escaping the severe bag-mark attrition typical of MPPS steel planchets; (2) Finish and product origin — Specimen and Silver Proof coins from Annual Collector Sets carry premiums tied to their packaging and intentionally limited production; (3) Precious metal composition — the Sterling Silver Proof and Pure Gold fractional carry intrinsic commodity floors that no standard steel quarter can match.
Is my 2010 Canadian quarter silver?
Standard 2010 circulation quarters — both the Caribou and the Remembrance Poppy — are not silver. They are multi-ply plated steel (94% steel, 3.8% copper, 2.2% nickel plating) with zero precious metal content. Only the NCLT Sterling Silver Proof issue — never distributed through commerce, found exclusively in premium collector sets — contains silver (92.5% Ag). The fastest test: apply a magnet. Standard steel quarters cling firmly; the silver proof is non-magnetic. Secondary confirmation: weigh it — the silver proof is noticeably heavier at 5.90 g versus the 4.40 g steel standard.
Should I get my 2010 Canadian quarter graded?
Grading economics matter here. A standard ICCS or PCGS submission costs $25–$50+ CAD per coin (plus shipping and insurance). For a Gem MS65 Standard Caribou worth $10–$18, the economics are unfavorable. Grading makes stronger economic sense for coins that appear to be MS66 or higher — where values escalate sharply — and is well justified for Silver Proofs that appear to be PR69 or PR70 Deep Cameo ($50–$85 range) or for the Pure Gold fractional ($225–$300+). The International Coin Certification Service (ICCS) is the preferred domestic Canadian grader; its conservative, technically rigorous standards mean an ICCS MS66 carries significant weight in the Canadian market.
What is the difference between a Business Strike, a Specimen, and a Proof?
These are three distinct manufacturing methods producing visually different results. A Business Strike is produced at high speed for commerce — fields carry standard cartwheel luster and surfaces commonly show bag marks from automated sorting. A Specimen (SP) is struck on specially prepared planchets at controlled speeds, producing matte or parallel-lined background fields contrasting with brilliantly frosted devices — from Annual Specimen Sets only, never found in circulation. A Proof (PR) is struck multiple times on highly polished dies and planchets, producing deep mirror-like fields with heavily frosted cameo devices; in 2010, Proof finish is reserved exclusively for the Sterling Silver and Pure Gold NCLT issues. A Proof is not simply a "shiny business strike" — the deep mirror finish is unmistakable under direct light, and the coin will be non-magnetic if it is the silver version.
Why don't 2010 quarters feature Olympic sport designs?
The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics circulating commemorative quarter program was released proactively across 2007, 2008, and 2009 to build public anticipation for the Games. Each design — including Speed Skating (Cindy Klassen), Men's Ice Hockey, Bobsleigh, and others — was dated in those years, not 2010. No circulating 2010-dated Olympic-sport quarter was ever produced. The 2010 calendar year returned to the standard Caribou design and introduced the one-year Remembrance Day Poppy. If you have an Olympic-sport quarter, check the date — it will be 2007, 2008, or 2009.
How do I preserve the color on a Remembrance Poppy quarter?
The pad-printed enamel on the 2010 Remembrance Poppy is vulnerable to physical abrasion, chemical solvents, and prolonged contact with other coins. To preserve the paint: store the coin in an inert, acid-free coin flip, 2×2 holder, or sealed capsule — never loose in a drawer or pocket alongside other metal. Avoid all cleaning products, solvents, and polishing cloths, which will immediately flake or dissolve the enamel. Handle the coin by the edge only. A perfectly intact enamel poppy is what separates a premium BU example ($1.00–$2.50) from a damaged, face-value circulated coin.
What are the Oh! Canada set and the Goldfinch quarter?
Both are NCLT collector products sold directly by the RCM and never intended for commercial circulation. The "Oh! Canada" gift set contains a colorized Three Maple Leaves quarter alongside other small-denomination coins; its mintage is unlimited, meaning no scarcity premium exists — value reflects theme appeal and original issue price ($15–$35). The "Birds of Canada" Goldfinch quarter is a colorized Specimen-finish piece with a strictly limited mintage of 13,991 units, giving it a more meaningful collectibility premium ($20–$40). Neither coin was designed to facilitate daily commerce.
I found a 2010 quarter that looks unusual — could it be an error coin?
Mint errors such as off-center strikes, brockages, and wrong-planchet anomalies occasionally occur during the RCM's high-speed production process. However, error coins are entirely outside the scope of this standard value guide. If your coin appears to be struck on the wrong-sized planchet, shows significant design misalignment, or is missing elements, it may warrant examination by a professional numismatist or a grading service (ICCS or PCGS). Do not clean it under any circumstances — cleaning destroys the evidence that makes an error coin valuable.
Methodology & Sources
Values in this guide represent typical secondary-market retail prices in Canadian Dollars (CAD) as of February 2026. Data was aggregated from the following primary sources:
- Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) Archives — Confirmed mintage figures, official alloy specifications, and MPPS technology documentation. See the RCM official 25-cents page.
- The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins — Primary taxonomic baseline for CLT/NCLT separation, variety attribution, and pricing continuums.
- Coins and Canada / Numista Numismatic Databases — Granular retail pricing across uncirculated grade tiers and detailed variety descriptions. Specific references: Numista — 2010 Remembrance Poppy Quarter; Numista — 2010 Silver Quarter.
- NGC Price Guide — Canada 25 Cents KM 493 (2003–2012) — cross-reference for certified grade valuations.
- Calgary Coin Gallery — Canadian 25-cent retail pricing guide — used for MS67+ condition-rarity benchmarks and ICCS historical data.
- Colonial Acres Coins & Century Stamps and Coins — Sterling Silver Proof retail pricing benchmarks.
- London Coin Centre — NCLT thematic issue pricing and Goldfinch Specimen data.
- CDN Coin Retail Archive — Pure Gold fractional retail price benchmark.
- Geoffrey Bell Auctions & Heritage Auctions — Upper-bound condition-rarity and trophy auction price data.
- Saskatoon Coin Club Mintage Records — Verification of the 2007–2009 Olympic quarter dating program.
- Global Silver Spot Price Benchmark (CAD) — February 2026 silver spot price of $3.49 CAD/gram used for melt value calculations. Silver spot prices fluctuate daily and should be verified before any transaction involving silver NCLT issues.
Market disclaimer: All prices represent typical retail values and are subject to change with market conditions. Trophy-level results (MS67+, PR70 DCAM) may vary significantly based on population data and market demand at the time of sale. This guide does not constitute 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.