2013 Canadian Quarter (25¢) Value Guide
2013 Canadian quarter values by design and grade — Caribou, War of 1812 heroes, Arctic Expedition frosting varieties & Double Date die variety. All prices in CAD, 2024–2025 market data.
Most 2013 Canadian quarters found in circulation are worth face value ($0.25). Value climbs sharply in gem and superb gem grades, and varies significantly by design — a Laura Secord Coloured in MS-67 reaches $100+, while the rare "Double Date" die variety commands $20–$50 when certified.
- Circulated or low-grade uncirculated (Caribou, MS63): Face value to $0.75
- MS-65 Gem (Caribou):$15–$20
- MS-67 Superb Gem (Caribou):$60+
- War of 1812 Coloured (MS-65):$15–$30 depending on subject
- Laura Secord Coloured (MS-67):$100+
- Laura Secord "Double Date" variety (certified):$20–$50
- Any 2013 quarter graded MS-68+:$100–$300+ at auction
- Holiday Wreath Specimen (Gift Set only):$5–$12.95
All values in CAD as of the 2024–2025 market cycle. Is it silver? No — every 2013 quarter is Multi-Ply Plated Steel and strongly magnetic. There is no silver in any 2013 circulation quarter. Is it shiny or from a set? A bright 2013 quarter is likely from a bank roll; "shiny" alone does not indicate high grade. Identify the design first — 2013 has nine distinct circulation designs with very different value ceilings. See full value chart →
The 2013 Canadian quarter is one of the most design-rich vintages in the history of the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM), offering nine distinct circulation designs: the perennial Caribou standard issue, two War of 1812 heroes each in coloured and non-coloured variants, and four Arctic Expedition centennial frosting varieties. For the complete history of this denomination across all years and eras, visit our Canadian Quarter Value Guide. The year also marks the first full calendar year without a Canadian penny in active distribution — the penny ceased distribution on February 4, 2013 — elevating the quarter's transactional role. This guide covers all standard and variety issues for 2013; the recognized die variety for this vintage, the Laura Secord "Double Date," is addressed in the Variants section below.
2013 Canadian Quarter Composition & Physical Specifications
All 2013 Canadian circulation quarters — the Caribou, all War of 1812 issues, all Arctic Expedition issues, and the Holiday Wreath Gift Set coin — are struck on Multi-Ply Plated Steel (MPPS) planchets. There is no silver or gold in any 2013 circulation quarter. The steel core accounts for approximately 94% of the total mass and is plated in three successive layers: first nickel, then copper, then a final nickel top coat, giving the coin its characteristic appearance.
Why Composition Matters for Collectors
The MPPS construction creates unique preservation challenges that directly affect market value. The steel core is susceptible to "spidering" — the development of rust beneath the plating if the surface is scratched or breached. The outer nickel surface is prone to milk spotting and hazing, which can destroy the surfaces of an otherwise gem-quality coin. Additionally, the higher Vickers hardness of the steel planchet accelerates die wear during high-speed production, making weak strikes common; a 2013 quarter with fully struck, sharply delineated details — individual hair strands on the Queen's effigy, clearly textured Caribou fur — is a genuine condition rarity that commands premium prices.
Magnetic Test: The Essential Authentication Step
Apply a magnet to any 2013 quarter. It will be strongly attracted (ferromagnetic). This is the expected result for the MPPS steel core composition and immediately confirms the coin contains no silver or gold. A 2013 quarter that fails to attract a magnet would be anomalous and warrants specialist examination. The Holiday Wreath Specimen coin from the 2013 Holiday Gift Set is also composed of nickel-plated steel and is equally magnetic.
The source document does not provide a calculated melt value for the MPPS composition. The coin contains no precious metal, and intrinsic metal value is not a factor in the numismatic valuation of 2013 quarters. Collector grade is the sole driver of premium.
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
Cleaning the nickel surface of a 2013 quarter leaves fine hairlines visible under magnification. A cleaned coin receives a "Details" (damaged) designation from ICCS, PCGS, or NGC and loses all numismatic premium above face value, regardless of the underlying quality of the coin's detail.
2013 Canadian Quarter Value Chart by Grade & Design
The 2013 vintage is unusual among modern Canadian quarters in offering genuine value differentiation by design, not only by grade. A coloured commemorative quarter at MS-67 can be worth more than double its standard Caribou counterpart at the same grade. Identify your design before evaluating grade. All values in Canadian dollars (CAD) as of the 2024–2025 market cycle, referencing Canadian Coins — 2013 Quarter and Coins and Canada — 25 Cents 2003–2023.
Caribou Standard Issue — Business Strike
The standard Caribou is the workhorse coin of 2013 with a mintage of 118,480,000. In grades below MS-65, the coin carries only nominal value above face and is typically traded in rolls rather than as single specimens — individual MS60–62 examples trade for approximately $0.50–$1.00 CAD per coin. The value cliff begins sharply at MS-65. Coins at MS-68+ represent true population rarities for any 2013 design due to the hard steel planchet and bulk bag-handling process. Reference: Coins Unlimited — 2013 Caribou Brilliant Uncirculated.
| Design | Mintage | MS-63 | MS-65 | MS-67 | MS-68+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caribou (Standard) | 118,480,000 | Face–$0.75 | $15–$20 | $60+ | $100–$300+ |
The "investment" grade for the Caribou is MS-67 or higher. The hard MPPS planchet and bulk handling mean MS-68+ specimens are genuine auction rarities commanding $100–$300+ CAD. This ceiling applies equally to all 2013 designs at MS-68+.
War of 1812 Commemoratives — Business Strike
The 2013 War of 1812 releases honour Charles-Michel de Salaberry (released March 18, 2013) and Laura Secord (released June 22, 2013), both designed by Bonnie Ross. Each was issued in two variants: a standard non-coloured engraving and a coloured version with a pad-printed red maple leaf incorporating the year "1812." Note: the 2012-dated Brock and Tecumseh coins are not 2013 issues; they were included in some 2013 collector sets but are outside the scope of this guide. See the RCM 2013 War of 1812 Special Edition Uncirculated Set for full series context.
| Design & Variety | Mintage | MS-63 | MS-65 | MS-67 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salaberry — Non-Coloured | 6,250,000 | $0.75–$1.50 | $8–$12 | $40+ | Standard engraving; portrait of de Salaberry |
| Salaberry — Coloured (Red "1812" Leaf) | 6,250,000 | $2.00–$4.00 | $15–$25 | $60+ | Rolls (both variants): $14.95–$22.00; coloured at higher end |
| Laura Secord — Non-Coloured | 6,250,000 | $1.00–$2.00 | $10–$15 | $50+ | Portrait of Laura Secord |
| Laura Secord — Coloured (Red "1812" Leaf) | 6,250,000 | $2.50–$5.00 | $20–$30 | $100+ | Inspect for "Double Date" variety under 10x — see Variants section |
Coloured examples carry a consistent premium because the pad-printed paint is susceptible to chipping in circulation, making an undamaged coloured specimen in higher grades harder to source than the equivalent non-coloured coin. The Laura Secord Coloured is the highest-value War of 1812 design in the series.
Arctic Expedition Centennial Series — Business Strike
Marking the 100th anniversary of the First Canadian Arctic Expedition (1913–1918), the RCM released two designs, each with intentional laser-frosting variants that create distinct collectible sub-types. "Life in the North" (whales) was designed by Inuit artist Tim Pitsiulak; "Quest for the Northwest Passage" (explorers with dogsled and compass) was designed by Bonnie Ross. Each design exists in two frosting varieties, requiring visual inspection to distinguish. Full technical listings: Numista — Life in the North (25¢ 2013) and Numista — Arctic Expedition Explorers (25¢ 2013).
| Design & Frosting Variety | Est. Mintage | MS-63 | MS-65 | MS-67 | Frosting Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life in the North — Frosted Belugas (Type 1) | ~6,250,000* | $1.00–$2.00 | $12–$18 | $50+ | Matte on Beluga whales and Bowhead lower jaw; Bowhead body shiny |
| Life in the North — Frosted Bowhead (Type 2) | ~6,250,000* | $1.00–$2.00 | $12–$18 | $50+ | Matte on entire Bowhead body; Belugas shiny. Contains the "Missing Fin" sub-variety — see Variants |
| Explorers — Frosted Crew (Variety A) | ~6,250,000* | $1.00–$2.00 | $12–$18 | $50+ | Matte on explorer clothing and dogs; compass and sky shiny. Slightly more common in collections |
| Explorers — Frosted Compass (Variety B) | ~6,250,000* | $1.00–$2.00 | $12–$18 | $50+ | Matte on outer compass ring and background sky; explorers shiny. Slightly less common in collections |
*Mintage figures for individual frosting varieties are estimated splits of the 12.5 million total per design; the RCM did not publish separate production counts per frosting variant. Arctic Expedition rolls (mixed varieties) traded for approximately $21.95 CAD. The large frosted surface area of the Frosted Bowhead makes it particularly prone to surface rub in circulation, making pristine high-grade examples especially sought after at the MS-65–MS-66 tier.
Collector Issues & NCLT
Several 2013 25-cent issues were sold directly to collectors as Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) and are not found in circulation rolls. The Holiday Wreath coin is referenced on Coins Unlimited — 2013 Holiday Wreath. The Queen's Coronation coloured coin is archived at the Royal Canadian Mint official product page.
| Issue | Finish | Composition | Mintage | SP/MS-63 | SP/MS-65 | SP/MS-67 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Wreath (2013 Holiday Gift Set) | Specimen (SP) | Nickel-Plated Steel | N/A (Gift Set sales) | $5–$8 | $12–$20 | $60+ | Single broken from set: $5–$12.95. SP-68 is the registry-set target grade |
| Queen's Coronation — 60th Anniversary (Coloured) | NCLT Coloured | — | 15,000 | $20–$30 (depending on packaging condition) | Phil Richards portrait on reverse; limited coronation anniversary issue | ||
ℹ️ Gold & Oversized 25-Cent NCLT Art Coins
The RCM also issued 25-cent denomination coins in 2013 that physically deviate from the standard quarter: oversized 35 mm colourized art pieces (Purple Coneflower, Wood Duck) and 0.5-gram pure gold 25-cent coins (Hummingbird, Tradition of Hunting) retailing at $79.95+ CAD. Despite their 25-cent face value, these are produced as collector art pieces and occupy an entirely separate market from the standard quarters covered in this guide.
Values in CAD represent typical market prices as of the 2024–2025 market cycle. For the complete denomination price guide across all years, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.
Most Valuable 2013 Canadian Quarter Varieties
The 2013 vintage offers three distinct variety opportunities: a recognized die variety with a documented market premium, a laser-frosting sub-variety within the Arctic Expedition series for the specialist, and the condition rarity of any MS-68+-graded specimen across all designs. Understanding these tiers is the key to maximizing value from 2013 quarters.
Trophy-Level Varieties
1. MS-68+ Graded Specimens (Any Design)
At the top of the 2013 hierarchy sits any coin — regardless of design — certified MS-68 or higher by ICCS, PCGS, or NGC. The combination of hard MPPS planchets and high-volume bag handling makes this grade level genuinely rare across all 2013 designs. Market realizations for certified MS-68+ examples have reached $100–$300+ CAD at auction. These are true population rarities.
2. Laura Secord "Double Date" — Coloured Variety Only
This is the premier documented die variety of the entire 2013 vintage. Found exclusively on the coloured Laura Secord quarter — not the non-coloured version — the "Double Date" is caused by a slight shift during the hubbing process or machine doubling during the strike. Under 10x magnification, the "2013" on the obverse or the "1812" commemorative date displays a distinct shelf-like secondary image of the numerals.
Value: Standard coloured Laura Secord coins trade for $2.50–$5.00 CAD at MS-63 and $20–$30 CAD at MS-65. The certified Double Date variety commands $20–$50 CAD depending on the severity of the doubling.
How to find it: Inspect every coloured Laura Secord quarter with a 10x loupe. Focus on the "2013" date numerals on the obverse and the "1812" commemorative date. If you see a secondary shelf-like image running alongside the numbers, you have a candidate for third-party certification.
3. Life in the North "Missing Fin Frosting" Sub-Variety (Frosted Bowhead Only)
Within the Frosted Bowhead (Type 2) population of the "Life in the North" coin, numismatists have identified a further sub-variety involving the small fin protruding from the belly of the Bowhead whale. On standard Frosted Bowhead coins, this fin tip shares the matte frosted finish of the whale body. On the "Missing Fin Frosting" sub-variety, the fin tip lacks frosting — it was either missed by the laser during die preparation or polished away — leaving it shiny against the matte body. This is a niche specialist variety sought by advanced Arctic Expedition collectors.
How to find it: First confirm you have a Frosted Bowhead (the entire large Bowhead body is matte and the Beluga whales are shiny). Then examine the small fin protruding from the belly under magnification. If that fin tip is shiny while the rest of the whale body remains matte, you have the "Missing Fin" sub-variety.
Frosting Varieties: Findable in Rolls
The four Arctic Expedition frosting varieties are intentional RCM production variants distributed across standard circulation rolls. They require visual inspection to distinguish but are accessible to any collector willing to examine rolls. Collector community data indicates the Frosted Crew variety appears slightly more frequently in user collections than the Frosted Compass variety; both designs track closely in market value at current grade tiers.
| Variety | Design | Key Diagnostic | Relative Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frosted Belugas (Type 1) | Life in the North | Beluga whales and Bowhead lower jaw: matte. Bowhead body: shiny | ~Even split with Type 2 |
| Frosted Bowhead (Type 2) | Life in the North | Entire Bowhead body: matte. Belugas: shiny. Check belly fin for Missing Fin sub-variety | ~Even split with Type 1 |
| Frosted Crew (Variety A) | Quest for Northwest Passage | Explorer clothing and dogs: matte. Compass and sky background: shiny | Slightly more common |
| Frosted Compass (Variety B) | Quest for Northwest Passage | Outer compass ring and sky background: matte. Explorers and dogs: shiny | Slightly less common |
All four frosting variants share the same documented market value tiers: MS-63$1–$2; MS-65$12–$18; MS-67$50+. Distinction between them is primarily for completeness-oriented set collectors rather than price arbitrage.
2013 Canadian Quarter Identification Guide
With nine distinct circulation designs plus collector-only issues, correctly identifying your 2013 Canadian quarter is the essential first step before any valuation. Use this 30-second checklist.
30-Second Identification Checklist
Monarch Check (Obverse): The obverse shows a bare-headed Queen Elizabeth II facing right, designed by Susanna Blunt. There is no crown or tiara. This is the Fourth Portrait, used from 2003 to 2022. A coin with a crowned or tiara portrait is from an earlier year and is not a 2013 quarter.
RCM Logo Check: Look for the RCM stylized maple leaf/"M" logo on the obverse. In 2013, this logo served as a standardized mint mark and security feature. Its presence confirms a genuine RCM product. See Numista — 25¢ Elizabeth II (RCM logo) for reference specifications.
Date Check: Confirm "2013" on the obverse. War of 1812 coins also bear the commemorative date "1812" on the reverse. Arctic Expedition coins bear no secondary date.
Reverse Design — Which of the Nine?
- Caribou: Large caribou in profile facing left — the Emanuel Hahn design first introduced in 1937. This is by far the most common 2013 quarter.
- Salaberry: Portrait of Charles-Michel de Salaberry; bilingual inscription "The War of 1812 / La guerre de 1812." Available in plain or coloured (red maple leaf with "1812") variants.
- Laura Secord: Portrait of Laura Secord; same bilingual War of 1812 inscription. Available in plain or coloured variants. If coloured, inspect with a 10x loupe for the "Double Date" die variety.
- Life in the North (Whales): Large Bowhead whale and two smaller Beluga whales with Inuit cultural motifs designed by Tim Pitsiulak. Determine frosting variant: Frosted Belugas (Type 1) or Frosted Bowhead (Type 2). If Frosted Bowhead, check the belly fin.
- Quest for Northwest Passage (Explorers): Three explorers with dogsled superimposed over a compass rose, designed by Bonnie Ross. Determine frosting variant: Frosted Crew (Variety A) or Frosted Compass (Variety B).
- Holiday Wreath: Festive wreath design. Found only in the 2013 Holiday Gift Set as a Specimen finish — never in circulation rolls.
Edge Check: All 2013 circulation quarters have a reeded (milled) edge. This is consistent across all nine circulation designs.
Magnet Test — Composition Verification: Apply a magnet. The coin must be strongly attracted (ferromagnetic). This confirms the MPPS steel core and immediately rules out precious metal content. A 2013 quarter that is not magnetic is anomalous and warrants specialist examination. The Royal Canadian Mint's official 25-cent page confirms the ferromagnetic MPPS specification for this era.
Finish Identification:
- Business Strike (MS): Bright cartwheel luster with the minor contact marks typical of mass production and bag handling. Found in circulation or bank rolls.
- Specimen (SP): The Holiday Wreath coin carries a Specimen finish — brilliant relief against a lined or matte background field, with sharp, squared rims. Produced exclusively for the 2013 Holiday Gift Set; never found loose in circulation.
- Proof-Like (PL) finish is not documented for the 2013 quarter in this guide.
Variety Check: For Arctic Expedition coins, use a 5–10x loupe to determine the frosting pattern (see Variants section). For the coloured Laura Secord quarter, inspect the date numerals under 10x for the "Double Date" doubling.
⚠️ Steel Core Preservation Warning
The oils in human skin are acidic and can permanently etch the nickel surface of an MPPS quarter, potentially downgrading a MS-65 specimen to face value with a single careless fingerprint. Handle high-grade 2013 quarters by the edge only, using cotton or nitrile gloves. Store in low-humidity environments with inert, acid-free holders to prevent rust from developing beneath the plating — a process called "spidering" that is irreversible. The frosted surfaces of Arctic Expedition coins are especially susceptible: matte finishes show handling rub far more visibly than polished fields.
2013 Canadian Quarter Value FAQs
What is a 2013 Canadian quarter worth?
It depends heavily on the design and grade. The most common 2013 quarter — the standard Caribou — is worth face value ($0.25) when circulated and only nominal amounts in grades below MS-65. Value rises significantly in gem grades: MS-65 Caribou trades for $15–$20, while a Laura Secord Coloured at MS-65 reaches $20–$30, and at MS-67 it hits $100+. Any design certified MS-68+ can realize $100–$300+ CAD at auction. The first step is identifying which of the nine circulation designs you have.
Is a 2013 Canadian quarter silver?
No. All 2013 Canadian quarters are composed of Multi-Ply Plated Steel (MPPS) — there is no silver or gold in any 2013 circulation quarter or Holiday Wreath Gift Set coin. The simplest confirmation is a magnet test: 2013 quarters are strongly ferromagnetic, which silver is not. Canada's last silver circulation quarter was struck in 1968. Any silver-content 25-cent Canadian coin must bear a date of 1968 or earlier.
Is a 2013 Canadian quarter rare?
The standard Caribou, with 118,480,000 struck, is among the most common modern Canadian coins. The War of 1812 and Arctic Expedition commemorative variants had mintages of approximately 6,250,000 per variety — significantly fewer, but still common by numismatic standards. Rarity in 2013 is entirely condition-dependent: the hard steel planchet and bulk bag-handling process make pristine, bag-mark-free examples statistically difficult to find. In superb gem grades (MS-67+), any 2013 quarter design is genuinely scarce, and MS-68+ examples are true rarities.
What makes a 2013 Canadian quarter valuable?
Three factors drive value. (1) Design: Coloured commemoratives carry inherently higher premiums than the standard Caribou, with the Laura Secord Coloured leading the series at MS-67. (2) Grade: The value cliff starts at MS-65 and rises steeply; the hard MPPS planchet makes a fully struck, surface-pristine example rare even in new rolls. (3) Variety: The Laura Secord "Double Date" die variety commands a certified premium, and the Arctic Expedition frosting variants can be cherry-picked from rolls by collectors seeking completeness.
What is the "Double Date" variety and how do I find it?
The "Double Date" is a die variety found exclusively on the coloured Laura Secord quarter (not the non-coloured). It manifests as a shelf-like secondary image of the date numerals — visible on the "2013" obverse date or the "1812" commemorative date — under 10x magnification. It was likely caused by a slight shift during the hubbing process. Standard coloured Laura Secord coins trade for $2.50–$5.00 CAD at MS-63; a certified Double Date example can command $20–$50 CAD depending on doubling severity. Examine every coloured Laura Secord quarter with a loupe before spending it.
How do I distinguish the Arctic Expedition frosting varieties?
For "Life in the North" (whales): identify which element carries the matte finish. If the two small Beluga whales and the lower jaw of the Bowhead are matte while the Bowhead's body is shiny, you have the Frosted Belugas (Type 1). If the entire large Bowhead body is matte and the Belugas are shiny, you have the Frosted Bowhead (Type 2) — then inspect the belly fin for the "Missing Fin" sub-variety. For the Explorers coin: if the explorer clothing and dogs are matte, you have Frosted Crew (Variety A); if the outer compass ring and sky background are matte, you have Frosted Compass (Variety B). A 5–10x loupe makes the distinction straightforward.
What is the "Missing Fin Frosting" sub-variety?
Within the Frosted Bowhead (Type 2) population of the "Life in the North" coin, some dies had the small fin tip on the Bowhead's belly also frosted, while on others the fin tip lacks frosting — appearing shiny against the matte whale body. This "Missing Fin Frosting" sub-variety is a niche find sought by advanced Arctic Expedition variety collectors. To identify it: first confirm you have a Frosted Bowhead (entire large Bowhead body is matte), then examine the small belly fin under magnification. A shiny fin tip against a matte body indicates the sub-variety.
Should I get my 2013 Canadian quarter graded?
Only if the potential certified value significantly exceeds the grading cost. At MS-65, most 2013 quarters trade for $12–$30 CAD — potentially close to or below grading fees from ICCS, PCGS, or NGC. Grading is most economically justified for coins that appear to be MS-67 or above, for certified Double Date variety examples, or for any coin that might reach the MS-68+ tier. ICCS (the International Coin Certification Service) is the Canadian grading standard and is generally preferred by Canadian collectors; PCGS and NGC are US-based services widely accepted in the international market.
What is the difference between a Business Strike and a Specimen finish?
A Business Strike (MS) is produced at high speed for general circulation, with cartwheel luster and the inevitable light contact marks from bag handling. A Specimen (SP) coin — such as the 2013 Holiday Wreath — is struck at lower speed with specially prepared dies, resulting in a brilliant device relief set against a lined or matte background field, and characteristically sharp, squared rims. Specimen coins are produced exclusively for collector sets and are never found in circulation rolls. The visual distinction is clear: a Specimen's fields have a textured or lined appearance, while a Business Strike has either a luster-bloom or mirror-field appearance.
How should I store 2013 quarters to preserve their value?
Store in a low-humidity environment to prevent the steel core from developing rust beneath the MPPS plating — known as "spidering" — which is irreversible and destroys numismatic value entirely. Use inert, acid-free coin holders or hard plastic flips; avoid soft PVC materials. Handle only by the edge with cotton or nitrile gloves — a single fingerprint from bare skin can permanently etch the nickel surface. The matte-frosted surfaces of Arctic Expedition coins are especially vulnerable, as rub on frosted areas is highly visible and degrades grade substantially.
Methodology & Sources
Values in this guide are drawn from dealer listings and market data spanning the 2024–2025 cycle. Primary pricing references: Canadian Coins — 2013 Quarter and Coins and Canada — 25 Cents 2003–2023. Technical specifications sourced from the Royal Canadian Mint official 25-cent page and Numista — 25¢ Elizabeth II (RCM logo). Arctic Expedition variety data from Numista — Life in the North and collector community documentation. Dealer market reference: Coins Unlimited — 2013 Caribou BU. NCLT reference: RCM — Queen's Coronation 2013. Values represent typical transaction ranges; individual realizations may vary with market conditions. This guide covers non-error standard and variety issues only. Consult the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins for exhaustive variety attribution. All prices in Canadian dollars (CAD).
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.