2011 Canadian 25-Cent (Quarter) Value Guide
Find out what your 2011 Canadian quarter is worth. Complete price guide covering all seven designs — Caribou, Wood Bison, Orca, Peregrine Falcon (coloured and plain), plus NCLT sterling silver proof and specimen collector issues. All values in CAD, February 2026.
Most 2011 Canadian quarters found in pocket change are worth exactly $0.25 face value — including the colourized Legendary Nature designs (Wood Bison, Orca, Peregrine Falcon with green, blue, or yellow enamel). Premiums only emerge in strictly gem-uncirculated condition or for certified collector-finish issues.
- Circulated (any design):$0.25 face value
- BU Typical (MS60–MS62) — Caribou or Legendary Nature uncoloured:$0.50
- BU Typical (MS60–MS62) — Legendary Nature coloured:$0.75
- Gem Uncirculated (MS65+) — Standard Caribou:$3.50–$15.00
- Gem Uncirculated (MS65+) — Legendary Nature coloured:$5.00–$25.00
- Trophy Grade (MS67) — Coloured Orca or Wood Bison:~$78.40
- NCLT Sterling Silver Proof (Caribou, PR68):$18.00–$25.00
- NCLT Specimen — Mythological Creatures (SP67):$31.00–$37.00
All values in CAD as of February 2026.
Is yours silver? Apply a strong magnet: the standard 2011 quarter is multi-ply plated steel and will stick firmly to a magnet. If it does not stick, you likely have a sterling silver NCLT proof worth a minimum of approximately $7.02 CAD in silver melt value, and potentially $12.00–$35.00+ in collector grades. Confirm by weighing: steel = 4.40 g; sterling silver = 5.90 g.
Looks shiny or mirror-like? If your coin came from an RCM presentation set, it is likely a Proof-Like (PL) or Specimen (SP) finish — not a high-grade business strike. See the full value chart below →
The 2011 Canadian quarter stands as one of the most design-prolific years in modern Royal Canadian Mint history. Alongside the classic Caribou reverse — first struck in 1937 by Emanuel Hahn — the RCM introduced the Legendary Nature circulation program, delivering three distinct wildlife designs (Wood Bison, Orca, and Peregrine Falcon), each produced in both plain and colourized (pad-printed enamel) formats, yielding seven distinct circulation designs in a single calendar year. An extensive suite of Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) collector products in sterling silver proof and oversized base-metal specimen formats expands the 2011 program further still. All 2011 quarters carry the Fourth Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt (2003–2022). For the complete history and pricing across all Canadian quarter eras, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.
Note: Errors such as wrong-planchet strikes and die rotation anomalies exist for 2011 but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.
2011 Canadian Quarter Composition & Melt Value
NCLT Sterling Silver Proof: Weight: 5.90 g | 92.5% Ag, 7.5% Cu | Diameter: 23.88 mm | Reeded edge | Non-magnetic
NCLT Oversized Specimen (Barn Swallow, Royal Wedding): Weight: 12.61 g | Base metal | Diameter: 35.0 mm | Serrated edge | Magnetic
The two 2011 quarter compositions side by side: the plated-steel circulation coin (4.40 g, strongly magnetic) and the sterling silver NCLT proof (5.90 g, non-magnetic). Weighing is the primary non-destructive diagnostic test.
Circulation Multi-Ply Plated Steel (CLT)
All seven 2011 circulation quarter designs — the standard Caribou and the six Legendary Nature variants — are struck on the Royal Canadian Mint's patented multi-ply plated steel technology. The planchet core is 94.0% low-carbon steel, electroplated first with a 3.8% copper bonding layer, then finished with a 2.2% outer nickel coating. This outer nickel layer gives the coin its traditional silvery appearance, shields the steel core from rapid oxidation, and maintains the correct electromagnetic signature required by commercial vending and transit fare infrastructure.
These coins contain no precious metal content. The combined intrinsic value of all base metals within a single 4.40-gram plated steel quarter is negligible — an amount far smaller than the coin's $0.25 face value. The steel core renders every standard 2011 circulation quarter strongly magnetic; a neodymium magnet will attract these coins immediately and hold them firmly. Per the Order Authorizing the Issue and Determining Composition and Dimensions (Canada Gazette, 2011), the metallurgical profile of these planchets is rigorously standardized by law. Melting coins of the realm is prohibited under the Currency Act of Canada.
Sterling Silver NCLT Proof Quarters
A select subset of 2011 quarters was struck in sterling silver (92.5% Ag, 7.5% Cu) exclusively for premium collector products — principally the annual Double Dollar Proof Set (approximately 45,000 sets issued) and the three-coin Our Legendary Nature sterling silver conservation set (10,000 sets). As documented by the Numista catalogue entry for the 2011 Canadian silver quarter, these coins carry an actual silver weight (ASW) of 0.1755 troy ounces.
At a representative spot price of approximately $40.00 CAD per troy ounce, the intrinsic silver melt value of a 2011 sterling silver quarter is approximately $7.02 CAD. This melt floor applies to impaired, scratched, or mishandled silver proof examples that have lost their numismatic premium. The weight difference — 4.40 g (steel) versus 5.90 g (silver) — is the primary non-destructive method for identifying an unknown 2011 quarter's composition when its origin is unclear.
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Cleaning strips original luster and leaves hairlines visible under magnification, instantly relegating a coin to a "Details — Cleaned" designation. A cleaned silver proof loses its entire numismatic premium and reverts to melt value. For colourized Legendary Nature quarters, the situation is even more severe — see the preservation warning in the Variants section below.
2011 Canadian Quarter Value Chart by Design, Grade & Finish
The six Legendary Nature quarter variants for 2011: Wood Bison (uncoloured and green-coloured), Orca (uncoloured and blue-coloured), and Peregrine Falcon (uncoloured and yellow-coloured). Coloured variants command a consistent premium over uncoloured counterparts in gem uncirculated grades due to heavy public hoarding on release. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
2011 Canadian Quarter — Business Strikes (Circulating Legal Tender)
These seven designs were struck on multi-ply plated steel planchets and distributed to commercial banks via paper rolls and bulk hoppers. The colourized Legendary Nature variants received a secondary pad-printing step applying enamel to the reverse fields (green = Bison, blue = Orca, yellow = Falcon). No mint marks appear on any 2011 circulation quarter; the only mark is the RCM privy logo on the obverse, present on all issues.
| Design | Circulated / Pocket Change | BU Typical (MS60–MS62) | Gem Uncirculated (MS65+) | Mintage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Caribou | $0.25 | $0.50 | $3.50–$15.00 | 212,970,000 |
| Wood Bison (Uncoloured) | $0.25 | $0.50 | $4.00–$20.00 | 6,250,000 * |
| Wood Bison (Coloured — Green Enamel) | $0.25 | $0.75 | $5.00–$25.00 | * Included above |
| Orca — Killer Whale (Uncoloured) | $0.25 | $0.50 | $4.00–$20.00 | 6,250,000 * |
| Orca — Killer Whale (Coloured — Blue Enamel) | $0.25 | $0.75 | $5.00–$25.00 | * Included above |
| Peregrine Falcon (Uncoloured) | $0.25 | $0.50 | $4.00–$20.00 | 6,250,000 * |
| Peregrine Falcon (Coloured — Yellow Enamel) | $0.25 | $0.75 | $5.00–$25.00 | * Included above |
* The RCM's official published mintage of 6,250,000 per animal covers both the coloured and uncoloured variants combined. The precise sub-allocation between painted and unpainted production has not been officially delineated in standard catalogue resources, though market availability suggests roughly equal distribution. Sources: Coins and Canada — 25 Cents 2003–2023 (February 2026).
⚠️ The Grade Cliff: MS64 vs. MS67
A 2011 standard Caribou grading MS64 retails for approximately $2.00 CAD — a marginal premium serving mostly as a hole-filler. A flawless MS67 example of the identical coin can leap to approximately $45.00–$50.00 CAD. This dramatic cliff exists because registry-set collectors demand absolute microscopic perfection; any visible bag mark, ambient carbon spot, or edge ding relegates a coin to face value for typical retail purposes.
ℹ️ Proof-Like (PL) Finish
The 2011 Caribou quarter was also produced in a Proof-Like (PL) finish for the RCM's standard uncirculated sets, featuring brilliant mirror fields with lightly frosted devices. Separate PL-specific pricing data is not available in standard catalogue sources for the 2011 quarter. PL coins found loose from opened sets are typically valued in line with high-grade business strikes of equivalent preservation.
Grade comparison: a typical BU 2011 Caribou quarter (MS62, left, showing bag marks in the fields), a clean gem example (MS65, centre), and a trophy-grade flawless coin (MS67, right). The jump from MS64 to MS67 represents the market's sharp value cliff for modern Canadian coinage. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
2011 Canadian Quarter — NCLT Sterling Silver Proof
These are deep-mirror proof coins struck in sterling silver (92.5% Ag, 7.5% Cu) exclusively for premium collector sets. Any impaired, cleaned, or mishandled example reverts to its base silver melt value of approximately $7.02 CAD. Only pristine, originally encapsulated examples command the collector premiums below. Full details on the three-coin conservation set are available on the RCM's official Legendary Nature Sterling Silver Set page.
| Design | Finish | Impaired / Mishandled | Premium Collector (PR66) | Top Collector (PR68) | Mintage (Sets) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caribou (Silver) | Proof — Sterling Silver | Silver melt (~$7.02) | $12.00–$15.00 | $18.00–$25.00 | ~45,000 |
| Legendary Nature Bison / Orca / Falcon (Silver — 3-coin set, per coin) | Proof — Sterling Silver | Silver melt (~$7.02) | $15.00–$20.00 | $25.00–$35.00 | 10,000 |
Sources: NGC Price Guide — Canada 25 Cents KM-1156 (February 2026); PCGS Auction Prices — 2011 Silver Quarter (February 2026).
2011 Canadian Quarter — NCLT Specimen Collector Issues
These coins were manufactured and sold exclusively to collectors through the RCM's direct-sale channels; they never entered commercial banking circulation. Because they bypass the hopper system entirely, the market expects them to be in flawless Specimen condition when traded. Any base-metal NCLT found impaired or circulated collapses to its $0.25 face value. Pristine, originally packaged examples command the premiums below. The CDN Coin product page for the 2011 Barn Swallow illustrates a typical RCM direct-sale specimen presentation.
| Design | Finish / Format | Impaired | Premium Collector (SP66) | Top Collector (SP67) | Mintage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince William & Kate — Royal Wedding | Specimen (35 mm oversized base metal) | $0.25 face | $10.00–$15.00 | $24.00–$25.00 | Unknown |
| Barn Swallow (Birds of Canada) | Specimen (35 mm oversized base metal) | $0.25 face | $15.00–$20.00 | $34.00–$35.00 | 14,000 |
| Sasquatch (Mythological Creatures) | Specimen (standard 23.88 mm) | $0.25 face | $20.00–$25.00 | $31.00–$32.00 | Unknown |
| Memphre (Mythological Creatures) | Specimen (standard 23.88 mm) | $0.25 face | $20.00–$25.00 | $36.00–$37.00 | Unknown |
| Mishepishu (Mythological Creatures) | Specimen (standard 23.88 mm) | $0.25 face | $20.00–$25.00 | $32.00–$33.00 | Unknown |
| Tulip and Ladybug | Specimen (standard 23.88 mm) | $0.25 face | $18.00–$22.00 | $29.00–$30.00 | Unknown |
| Black-Capped Chickadee | Specimen (standard 23.88 mm) | $0.25 face | $20.00–$25.00 | $32.00–$33.00 | Unknown |
| Wayne Gretzky | Specimen (standard 23.88 mm) | $0.25 face | $20.00–$25.00 | $32.00–$33.00 | Unknown |
| Gift Set Issues (Baby, O Canada, Tooth Fairy) | Specimen / BU (standard 23.88 mm) | $0.25 face | $5.00–$8.00 | $15.00–$20.00 | Varies: 20,000–38,000 |
All values in CAD as of February 2026. Sources: Coins and Canada — 25 Cents 2003–2023 (February 2026); RCM Special Edition Uncirculated Set 2011. For the full denomination context, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.
Most Valuable 2011 Canadian Quarter Varieties
A) Trophy-Level Conditional Rarities (MS67 Business Strikes)
For the 2011 circulation quarter, the highest documented valuations are driven entirely by extreme conditional rarity at the apex of the grading scale — not by die varieties. The RCM's automated high-velocity striking presses deposit freshly struck coins into massive ballistic hoppers, ensuring virtually every example acquires rim dings, planchet scuffs, and bag marks before leaving the facility. The colourized Legendary Nature variants face an even more severe attrition: the delicate pad-printed enamel appliqué on their reverse fields is highly susceptible to flaking, scratching, and micro-abrasion during the same mechanical handling. Finding a colourized 2011 quarter with pristine steel surfaces, flawless reeding, and a perfectly intact painted field is statistically improbable. When such coins are certified by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC at MS67, they become contested registry-set trophies.
| Design | Why It Commands a Premium | Grade Required | Documented High-End Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orca — Coloured (Blue Enamel) | Blue appliqué is notoriously prone to chipping; flawless paint + pristine fields is extremely scarce at population level | MS67 (Business Strike) | ~$78.40 CAD |
| Wood Bison — Coloured (Green Enamel) | Green forest motif frequently exhibits micro-scratching or paint misalignment from automated handling; perfect survivors are conditional rarities | MS67 (Business Strike) | ~$78.40 CAD |
| Peregrine Falcon — Coloured (Yellow Enamel) | Expansive yellow sun background covers the widest painted area of any Legendary Nature design, maximizing surface-area vulnerability to micro-abrasion | MS67 (Business Strike) | ~$64.60 CAD |
| Standard Caribou | Massive 212-million mintage guarantees aggressive industrial handling; flawless MS67 survivors are surprisingly scarce relative to total production | MS67 (Business Strike) | ~$47.00 CAD |
Sources: Coins and Canada (February 2026). These prices represent the absolute documented ceiling for these issues and are explicitly not typical of coins encountered in raw collections or standard bank rolls. The mechanical limitations of the multi-ply steel plating process and the rigors of circulation striking effectively cap the top population at MS67; an authenticated MS68 would likely set an unprecedented new record for the year.
Close-up of the colourized Legendary Nature reverse showing the pad-printed enamel appliqué on an Orca quarter. A red circle highlights the paint edge zone — the most vulnerable area to micro-chipping and flaking during automated handling. A pristine, intact paint field with no chips or scratches is the key diagnostic for top-grade coloured specimens. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
⚠️ Do Not Use Acetone on Colourized Quarters
While acetone is standard conservation practice for removing organic residue from pure silver or gold coins, it acts as a destructive solvent against the clear-coat seal and enamel resins used in RCM pad-printed colourized coins. Acetone can permanently cloud or dissolve the colour layer. Wiping with even a soft cloth risks irreversible micro-scratching of the enamel. A chipped or abraded colourized coin loses its entire numismatic premium and is considered permanently damaged.
B) Findable Variants Worth Checking
Modern computer-calibrated minting has largely eliminated the dramatic die varieties of earlier eras. However, several documented split points exist for the 2011 Canadian quarter that an astute collector can identify by examination.
| Variant | Charlton Ref. | How to Identify | Why It Matters | Typical Premium Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coloured vs. Uncoloured — Legendary Nature | Listed as sub-varieties | Inspect the reverse fields behind the animal for pad-printed enamel (green = Bison, blue = Orca, yellow = Falcon) | Coloured variants suffered aggressive public hoarding upon release, tightening pristine gem-uncirculated supply | +$0.25 to +$5.00 over uncoloured in strictly equivalent Mint State grades |
| Obverse Machine Doubling (ELIZABETH) | Unlisted (minor anomaly) | Look for flat, shelf-like doubling on the letters A, L, E, T, H in ELIZABETH or the G in D.G. on the obverse legend — this is mechanical die bounce, not a true hub-doubled DDO | Caused by die fatigue during high-speed striking; not a catalogued hub variety | +$1.00 to +$3.00 CAD to dedicated variety specialists only |
| NCLT Oversized 35 mm Planchets | N/A — set exclusive | Measure the diameter: standard quarters are 23.88 mm; Barn Swallow and Royal Wedding coins span 35.0 mm | Struck exclusively on specialized base-metal planchets for highly restricted RCM direct-sale sets (e.g., 14,000 for Barn Swallow) | +$15.00 to +$35.00 CAD depending on Specimen grade preservation |
| Mythological Creatures Series (Sasquatch, Memphre, Mishepishu) | N/A — set exclusive | Reverse features non-standard thematic designs executed with a frosted specimen finish; never struck for commercial circulation | Struck solely for NCLT collector sets satisfying niche thematic demand; enduring secondary market strength | +$25.00 to +$35.00 CAD in original unhandled packaging |
Physical size comparison: the standard 23.88 mm 2011 Canadian quarter (left) beside the oversized 35.0 mm NCLT Specimen quarter (right, exemplified by the Barn Swallow or Royal Wedding issue). The diameter difference is immediately visible and confirms an NCLT collector-format coin. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Obverse detail showing machine doubling on the ELIZABETH legend of a 2011 Canadian quarter. Red arrows highlight the flat, shelf-like secondary impressions on the letters — the diagnostic signature of mechanical die bounce. This is distinct from a true hub-doubled die (DDO) and commands only a minimal premium with variety specialists. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
2011 Canadian Quarter Identification Guide
The sheer proliferation of designs, finishes, compositions, and formats in 2011 makes precise identification essential before assigning any value. Follow this checklist to determine exactly what you have.
The 2011 Canadian quarter obverse (left): Susanna Blunt's bareheaded Queen Elizabeth II portrait facing right, with the RCM privy mark logo highlighted below the bust truncation, and the legend ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA. Standard Caribou reverse (right): Emanuel Hahn's 1937 design with CANADA 25 CENTS. These are the reference features for initial identification.
30-Second Rapid Identification Checklist
- Monarch / Obverse Verification: Confirm the coin features the Susanna Blunt Fourth Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II — bareheaded (no crown or tiara), facing right, with a confident mature profile. The legend reads ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA. This portrait appeared on Canadian coins from 2003 through 2022; the 2011 issue is a standard example of this series.
- RCM Privy Mark Check: Look directly beneath the Queen's bust truncation. A small Royal Canadian Mint logo appears as a privy mark on all 2011 Canadian quarters, confirming RCM production. This mark is present on all designs and finishes for this year.
- Reverse Design Alignment: Identify which reverse design your coin carries:
- Standard Caribou — the classic wildlife design, CANADA 25 CENTS
- Legendary Nature — Wood Bison
- Legendary Nature — Orca (Killer Whale)
- Legendary Nature — Peregrine Falcon
- NCLT Specialty Design (e.g., Barn Swallow, Royal Wedding portrait, mythological creature, sports figure)
- Colour Appliqué Check: If the coin features a Legendary Nature animal, inspect the reverse background fields carefully for pad-printed enamel paint: green = Wood Bison coloured variant; blue = Orca coloured variant; yellow = Peregrine Falcon coloured variant. Absence of colour = uncoloured circulation strike of the same design.
- Diameter Measurement: Measure across the coin's widest point. A standard 2011 quarter is 23.88 mm. If the coin is visibly and significantly larger — approximately 35.0 mm — you have an oversized NCLT Specimen issue (Barn Swallow or Royal Wedding). These two formats are physically incompatible and cannot be confused once measured.
- Edge Architecture: Examine the rim. Standard circulation quarters and the sterling silver proofs have a reeded (milled) edge. The oversized 35 mm NCLT Specimen issues use a serrated edge. Edge type provides a secondary dimensional confirmation.
- Composition / Magnet Test: Apply a strong neodymium magnet to the coin.
- Sticks firmly to the magnet: Multi-ply plated steel — a standard 2011 circulation quarter (or an oversized base-metal NCLT). Contains no precious metal. Base floor = $0.25 face value.
- Does not stick to the magnet: Almost certainly a sterling silver NCLT proof (92.5% Ag). Confirm immediately by weighing: steel = 4.40 g; sterling silver = 5.90 g. A non-magnetic 2011 quarter carries a minimum silver melt floor of approximately $7.02 CAD.
- Finish Identification (The Critical Step): Surface character determines collector grade potential.
- Business Strike: Standard cartwheel luster across both fields and devices. Bag marks, planchet scuffs, and rim dings are normal and expected from bulk handling. No special contrast between fields and devices.
- Proof-Like (PL): From RCM standard uncirculated sets. Fields are brilliant and highly reflective; devices exhibit only a slight, mild frost. Very similar in appearance to a high-grade business strike but found in flat pliofilm cellophane packs from uncirculated sets.
- Specimen (SP): The RCM's internationally recognized specialty finish. Devices are brilliantly struck against uniquely lined or matte (satin) fields, providing elegant contrast without deep mirroring. Square-shouldered rims and exceptional device sharpness are hallmarks. Found in themed gift sets and prestige packaging.
- Proof (PR/PF): Exclusively on sterling silver NCLT issues. Profound dark mirror fields with snow-white heavily frosted devices. Struck multiple times on polished dies. Originally encapsulated in velvet or leather-bound clamshell presentation cases.
Four-way finish comparison for 2011 Canadian quarters: Business Strike (standard cartwheel luster, visible bag marks), Proof-Like (brilliant reflective fields, mild frost on devices), Specimen (brilliant devices against lined/satin matte fields, crisp square rims), and Sterling Silver Proof (dark mirror fields, stark white-frosted devices). Identifying your finish is the single most important step in determining value. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
ℹ️ The Parks Canada Confusion: There Is No 2011 "Parks Canada Quarter"
The 2011 Legendary Nature quarter series (Wood Bison, Orca, Peregrine Falcon) was launched alongside Parks Canada's centennial celebrations of environmental conservation. However, the explicit Parks Canada Centennial commemorative design — featuring a stylized hiker surrounded by mountains and indigenous flora — was applied exclusively to the $1 Loonie coin, not the 25-cent denomination. If you are looking for a 2011 quarter that "celebrates Parks Canada," you are seeking the Legendary Nature Bison, Orca, or Falcon designs. No 2011 quarter bears the hiker motif. The official RCM Parks Canada 100th Anniversary Proof Set page confirms this distinction.
The magnet quick-test for 2011 Canadian quarters: the standard plated-steel circulation coin (left) is strongly attracted to a neodymium magnet; the sterling silver NCLT proof (right) shows no magnetic attraction and falls away. This is the fastest non-destructive method for separating steel from silver — always confirm with a precise weight check as a secondary step.
2011 Canadian Quarter Value FAQs
What is a 2011 Canadian quarter worth?
The value depends entirely on design, finish, and condition. A circulated 2011 quarter — regardless of whether it shows a Caribou, a Wood Bison, an Orca, or a Peregrine Falcon — is worth exactly $0.25 face value. In strictly uncirculated BU grades (MS60–MS62), typical values rise to $0.50–$0.75 depending on design. Gem Uncirculated (MS65+) examples trade for $3.50 to $25.00 depending on design and colour status, while trophy-grade MS67 examples peak at approximately $78.40 CAD for the coloured Orca and Wood Bison. Sterling silver NCLT proofs trade from their silver melt floor of approximately $7.02 CAD up to $25.00–$35.00 in top certified grades.
Is a 2011 Canadian quarter rare?
For the standard Caribou design, no — 212,970,000 were struck, making circulated and even typical uncirculated examples extremely common. The Legendary Nature animals are more limited at 6,250,000 per design, but still widely available in circulated and lower BU grades. True rarity for 2011 quarters is conditional: a gem-grade MS67 colourized Legendary Nature specimen with a flawless paint field is genuinely scarce. Specialty NCLT issues such as the Barn Swallow (14,000 struck) and the three-coin sterling silver Legendary Nature set (10,000 sets) are legitimately low-mintage collector items with limited secondary market supply.
What makes a 2011 Canadian quarter valuable?
Three factors drive premium value: (1) Grade — only coins certified at MS65 or higher by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC attract meaningful collector premiums; the market cliff between MS64 and MS67 is steep. (2) Finish and format — Specimen and Proof coins from NCLT collector sets carry structural premiums regardless of design. (3) Paint integrity for colourized variants — for the Legendary Nature coloured designs, a flawlessly preserved enamel appliqué with no chips, scratches, or misalignment is the single most critical value driver; any paint damage permanently eliminates numismatic premium.
Is my 2011 Canadian quarter silver?
The vast majority of 2011 quarters are not silver — they are multi-ply plated steel (94% steel, 3.8% copper, 2.2% nickel). Apply a magnet: steel quarters stick firmly. If your coin does not respond to a magnet, it may be a sterling silver NCLT proof (92.5% silver, 7.5% copper), struck exclusively for premium collector sets such as the Double Dollar Proof Set or the three-coin Legendary Nature conservation set. Confirm by weighing: steel = 4.40 g; sterling silver = 5.90 g. A non-magnetic 2011 quarter with the correct 5.90 g weight carries a minimum silver content value of approximately $7.02 CAD at a representative spot price of ~$40.00 CAD per troy ounce (ASW = 0.1755 oz).
What is the difference between the "Legendary Nature" quarters and a "Parks Canada" quarter?
This is one of the most frequent sources of collector confusion for 2011. The Legendary Nature series — three quarter designs featuring the Wood Bison, Orca, and Peregrine Falcon — was launched alongside Parks Canada's centennial anniversary celebrations and shares a conservation theme. However, the explicit Parks Canada Centennial commemorative design (a stylized hiker surrounded by mountains and diverse foliage) was applied exclusively to the $1 Loonie coin, not the 25-cent denomination. There is no 2011 quarter bearing the hiker motif. If a seller or catalogue reference describes a 2011 "Parks Canada quarter," they are referring to the Legendary Nature Bison, Orca, or Falcon designs.
Should I get my 2011 Canadian quarter professionally graded?
Grading economics must be considered carefully for modern base-metal coins. Professional grading at ICCS, PCGS, or NGC typically costs $20–$50+ CAD per coin including submission fees and shipping. Given that a 2011 Caribou at MS65 is worth only $3.50–$15.00, grading only makes financial sense if your coin is a genuine MS66 or MS67 — where values jump dramatically. For colourized Legendary Nature variants, grading in MS67 with intact paint can be worthwhile given the documented ~$78.40 CAD ceiling. NCLT Specimen and Proof coins, particularly the Mythological Creatures series and Barn Swallow with values reaching $34.00–$37.00 in SP67, may also justify the cost. ICCS (the Canadian domestic standard) is generally regarded as more conservative on modern base-metal issues than PCGS or NGC.
What is the difference between a Specimen (SP) finish and a business strike (MS) finish?
A Business Strike is produced at high speed for commercial distribution. The coin exhibits standard cartwheel luster across both the fields and the raised devices, with no intentional contrast between them; bag marks and handling marks are routine. A Specimen (SP) finish is the RCM's signature collector technique: devices are struck with brilliant, sharp, squared profiles against uniquely lined or matte (satin) fields, creating elegant contrast. Specimen coins come exclusively in themed gift sets and prestige packaging — they never enter commercial circulation. A Specimen coin found with wear or handling damage has been broken out of its protective set and instantly loses its collector premium, reverting to face value.
What are the Mythological Creatures quarters and why are they valuable?
The 2011 Mythological Creatures series comprises three Specimen-finish quarters featuring Canadian indigenous and folkloric creatures: the Sasquatch, the lake serpent Memphre, and the underwater panther Mishepishu. These were struck exclusively for RCM direct-sale NCLT collector sets — never distributed to banks — and command robust secondary market premiums of $20.00–$25.00 CAD at SP66 and up to $31.00–$37.00 CAD at SP67. Their enduring popularity reflects the strong thematic appeal of indigenous mythology among specialized Canadian specimen collectors. Memphre leads the trio at the SP67 level with documented values of $36.00–$37.00 CAD.
I have a shiny or mirror-like 2011 quarter from a set — is it worth a lot?
A mirror-like or especially brilliant 2011 quarter from a set is almost certainly either a Proof-Like (PL) coin from a standard uncirculated set or a Specimen (SP) coin from a gift or prestige set — not a rare high-grade business strike. The distinction matters: PL coins found loose from opened sets are typically valued in line with high-grade business strikes. Specimen coins in their original packaging hold the collector premiums listed in the NCLT table above. Assess the packaging (was it pliofilm cellophane for PL, or a dedicated themed gift box for SP?) and examine the fields: PL fields are brilliant and mirror-like with mild device frost; SP fields are distinctively lined or matte/satin with brilliantly struck devices.
How do I tell if a colourized Legendary Nature quarter still has value?
Examine the enamel appliqué under good lighting and at least a modest magnifying glass. Any chips, flakes, scratches, or paint misalignment visible on the coloured surface permanently eliminates numismatic premium — the coin then reverts to its $0.25 face value regardless of the sharpness of the metal fields. Never attempt to clean, wipe, or apply acetone to a colourized coin; even a soft cloth can introduce irreversible micro-scratches. A pristine coloured Legendary Nature quarter with intact paint, sharp device detail, and no surface marks represents the genuinely scarce, high-value item described in the trophy-level section of this guide.
Methodology & Sources
Values presented in this guide reflect typical secondary market prices as of February 2026 in Canadian dollars (CAD). Pricing was aggregated from: Coins and Canada — 25 Cents 2003–2023 (primary pricing aggregator for modern Canadian decimal variations); the NGC Price Guide for Canada 25 Cents KM-1156; PCGS Auction Prices Realized; Numista — Canada 25 Cents (Peregrine Falcon) and Numista — Canada 25 Cents (Silver) for dimensional and compositional specifications; official Royal Canadian Mint product pages including the Special Edition Uncirculated Set (2011) and the Legendary Nature Sterling Silver 3-Coin Set; and the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins for variety attribution and NCLT set composition verification. All prices represent broad market ranges, not guarantees. Individual coin values vary based on specific grade, surface quality, packaging, and demand at time of sale.
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.