2014 Canadian 25-Cent (Quarter) Value Guide
Complete 2014 Canadian quarter price guide. Business Strike Caribou, Proof-Like, Specimen, Silver Proof, and all NCLT commemoratives — Ghost Bride, Birds of Canada, NHL franchises, Tiktaalik — with current CAD values as of February 2026.
Most 2014 Canadian quarters found in pocket change are worth exactly $0.25 (face value). In top certified grades the value climbs sharply: $54.80–$75.00+ for an MS-67–MS-68 Caribou. The Ghost Bride NCLT collector coin reaches $73.50–$87.83 with original packaging.
- Circulated (pocket change):$0.25 (face value)
- BU Typical (MS-60–MS-63):$0.50–$0.90
- Choice Unc (MS-64):$7.80
- Top Grade (MS-67–MS-68):$54.80–$75.00+
- Proof-Like (PL-67):$3.00
- Specimen (SP-67):$16.60
- Silver Proof (PR-67):$16.60
- Ghost Bride NCLT (SP-67, w/packaging):$60.00–$73.50
Is it shiny or mirror-like? A brilliantly reflective 2014 quarter is almost certainly a Proof-Like (PL) coin extracted from an Uncirculated Set — not a rare high-grade business strike. Is it silver? Standard 2014 quarters are multi-ply plated steel and stick firmly to a magnet. A genuine silver proof weighs exactly 6.00 g and is non-magnetic. Is it oversized (35 mm)? That is an NCLT commemorative — values range from $24.00 to $87.83+ depending on design. All values in CAD as of February 2026. See full value chart →
The 2014 Canadian quarter occupies a bifurcated numismatic landscape: the classic Caribou reverse — Emanuel Hahn's iconic design first introduced in 1937 — struck for general commerce, alongside a prolific wave of Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) collector products from the Royal Canadian Mint. Two widespread misconceptions deserve immediate correction: the celebrated "Wait for Me, Daddy" design was issued as a $2 bi-metallic circulation coin, not a quarter, and the centenary Poppy quarter ("1914–2014") was a 2015 issue, despite the First World War's 100th anniversary falling in 2014. The sole circulation-strike 25-cent design for calendar year 2014 is the standard Caribou. For the full denomination history and cross-year comparison, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.
Note: Major mint errors such as off-center strikes and wrong-planchet coins exist for 2014 Canadian quarters but are outside the scope of this standard value guide.
2014 Canadian Quarter Composition & Melt Value
The 2014 Canadian quarter is not a single-alloy coin. Three entirely distinct metallurgical profiles apply depending on whether the coin was struck for commerce, issued in a collector set, or produced as a premium NCLT product. Identifying the correct composition is essential — and the magnet test is the fastest starting point.
Side-by-side comparison of the 2014 plated-steel Caribou quarter (left, magnetic, 4.40 g) and the 2014 99.99% fine silver proof Caribou (right, non-magnetic, 6.00 g). Despite sharing the same 23.88 mm diameter, the silver proof is noticeably heavier — a precision scale is the definitive authentication tool. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
1. Multi-Ply Plated Steel — Circulation & Base-Metal Set Issues
This is the composition of the standard 2014 Caribou circulation quarter, as well as the Proof-Like (PL) and Specimen (SP) versions of the Caribou found in collector sets. The Royal Canadian Mint's proprietary multi-ply plating process electrodeposits a layer of nickel, then copper, then a final top-coat of nickel over a low-carbon steel core. The result is a highly specific electromagnetic signature used by vending machines and automated transit systems to authenticate genuine Canadian coinage. These coins are strongly magnetic. The intrinsic scrap value of the steel core and trace metals is negligible — far less than one cent per coin — making face value the only economically relevant measure of worth for circulated examples.
2. Cupronickel — NCLT Oversized Commemoratives
The oversized NCLT collector coins — the Birds of Canada series, the Haunted Canada Ghost Bride, the Prehistoric Tiktaalik, and the NHL franchise coins — are struck on larger 35.00 mm cupronickel planchets. Cupronickel's malleability and chemical stability make it ideal for the complex colorization, lenticular overlays, and glow-in-the-dark enamel applications that define these issues. The minor weight variance across the series (12.61 to 13.80 grams) reflects the differing mass of surface applications; for example, the thick ribbed lenticular plastic overlay on the Ghost Bride adds measurably more mass than the pad-printed paint applied to the bird designs. These coins are non-magnetic. Intrinsic cupronickel value per coin is negligible; numismatic collector premium drives all secondary market pricing.
3. 99.99% Fine Silver — Proof Set Issues
The 2014 Fine Silver Proof Set includes a 25-cent Caribou quarter struck in 99.99% pure silver. At the same 23.88 mm diameter as the steel circulation coin, it is noticeably heavier (6.00 g versus 4.40 g for steel) and is non-magnetic — making the combined weight-and-magnet test the fastest authentication method. At a hypothetical baseline of approximately $40.00 CAD per troy ounce (commodities markets fluctuate daily), a 6.00 g fine silver coin yields an intrinsic melt value of roughly $7.71 CAD as calculated in the source data — providing a permanent precious-metal floor substantially above face value. Under the Currency Act of Canada, melting current Canadian coinage is prohibited.
⚠️ Never Clean Your Coins
The RCM's multi-ply plating on circulation quarters is microscopically thin. Abrasive cleaning, buffing, or acid dipping strips the outer nickel layer, exposing the steel core to rapid oxidation. Rust blooms — colloquially called "measles" in Canadian numismatics — will spread irreversibly and reduce the coin's numismatic value to zero over face. Silver proof coins are equally vulnerable: any hairlines visible under magnification result in a "Details" (damaged) grade designation, eliminating all collector premium.
2014 Canadian Quarter Value Chart by Grade & Finish
The two physical forms of the 2014 Canadian quarter: the standard 23.88 mm Caribou (left) alongside the oversized 35.00 mm NCLT commemorative planchet (right). The dramatic size difference immediately distinguishes pocket-change issues from collector products. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
2014 Canadian Quarter — Business Strike (Caribou Circulation)
With 97,440,000 coins struck, the 2014 Caribou business strike is among the most common Canadian quarters ever produced. Any circulated example is worth face value. A meaningful numismatic premium only engages at the MS-64 level and above, where the statistical rarity of a pristine, bag-mark-free example commands collector attention from registry-set builders.
| Design / Type | Circulated (VF–AU) | BU Typical (MS-60–MS-63) | Choice Unc (MS-64) | Top Grade (MS-67–MS-68) | Mintage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caribou — Business Strike | $0.25 (face value) | $0.50–$0.90 | $7.80 | $54.80–$75.00+ | 97,440,000 |
Sources: Coins and Canada (Feb 2026); Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins (2025 Ed.).
ℹ️ The Value Cliff
With tens of millions of 2014 Caribou quarters in existence, coins grading MS-60 through MS-63 trade at or near face value. The exponential jump from $7.80 at MS-64 to $54.80–$75.00+ at MS-67/MS-68 reflects the dramatic decrease in statistically flawless survivors from modern high-speed automated production, where blanks are ejected into large steel hoppers that cause pervasive bag marks and rim dings.
Grade comparison for the 2014 Caribou quarter: a typical circulated example (left, face value), a Choice Uncirculated MS-64 (centre, $7.80), and a top-grade MS-67 (right, $54.80–$75.00+). The dramatic value cliff between MS-64 and MS-67 is visible in the surface quality and lustre. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
2014 Canadian Quarter — Collector Finishes (PL, SP & Silver PR)
The standard Caribou design also exists in three collector finishes, each packaged directly at the Mint and never issued into circulation. Because the Mint benchmark for an undamaged collector coin is grade 67, all values below are quoted at that level. Coins broken from their original sets and placed into circulation revert to face value (steel PL/SP) or silver spot value (silver PR), regardless of their original finish.
| Finish | Product Origin | Typical Collector Grade Value | Mintage (Sets) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proof-Like (PL-67) | 2014 Uncirculated Set (pliofilm packaging) | $3.00 | 75,000 | Brilliant mirror fields; any contact marks from handling devastate value. |
| Specimen (SP-67) | 2014 Ferruginous Hawk Specimen Set | $16.60 | 50,000 | Matte parallel-lined fields; heavily frosted devices. Rarely found raw. |
| Silver Proof (PR-67) | 2014 Fine Silver Proof Set (99.99% Ag) | $16.60 | 25,000 | Deep mirror fields; heavy device frost. Non-magnetic; 6.00 g. Value floored by silver spot. |
Sources: Coins and Canada (Feb 2026); NGC Coin Explorer (Feb 2026); Charlton Standard Catalogue (2025 Ed.).
⚠️ PVC Damage Risk — Proof-Like Sets
Proof-Like coins from the 2014 Uncirculated Set are sealed in flat pliofilm (PVC-based) packaging. Over decades, PVC can leach a green, sticky residue onto the coin surface. If you observe green slime on a PL coin, it requires professional conservation with pure acetone — do not use nail polish remover or commercial jewelry cleaners. Damaged coins revert to face value regardless of their underlying condition.
2014 Canadian Quarter — NCLT Commemoratives (Cupronickel, 35 mm)
The following coins were sold directly by the Royal Canadian Mint in presentation packaging at retail premiums typically ranging from $29.95 to $59.95 at time of issue. They were never intended for circulation and should never be found in pocket change under normal circumstances. Values below assume Specimen-67 condition with all original RCM clamshell packaging, beauty box, and Certificate of Authenticity (COA) intact. Coins separated from original packaging suffer an immediate and significant reduction in secondary market liquidity and realized price.
| Design / Theme | Finish / Surface Technology | SP-67 Value (with original packaging) | Mintage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haunted Canada: Ghost Bride | Specimen (Lenticular plastic overlay) | $60.00–$73.50 | 15,000 |
| Water-lily & Leopard Frog | Specimen (Painted / colourized) | $35.30 | 17,500 |
| FIFA World Cup 2014 | Specimen (Painted / colourized) | $33.30 | 20,000 |
| NHL Franchises (7 Canadian teams) | Specimen (Painted, pop-up jersey packaging) | $29.40–$34.30 | 6,000 per franchise |
| Prehistoric Creatures: Tiktaalik | Specimen (Photo-luminescent glow-in-dark enamel) | $27.40–$30.95 | 30,000 |
| Birds of Canada: Scarlet Tanager | Specimen (Painted / colourized) | $24.95–$25.50 | 17,500 |
| Birds of Canada: Eastern Meadowlark | Specimen (Painted / colourized) | $24.00–$26.50 | 17,500 |
| Birds of Canada: Harlequin Duck | Specimen (Painted / colourized) | $24.50–$29.95 | 17,500 |
| Birds of Canada: Northern Pintail | Specimen (Painted / colourized) | $24.50–$29.95 | 17,500 |
Sources: Coins and Canada (Feb 2026); Charlton Standard Catalogue (2025 Ed.); RCM archived product pages. NHL franchise and FIFA values sourced from secondary market retailer aggregations (2025–2026). NHL franchise range reflects fanbase-driven premium variance — higher-demand franchises (e.g., Maple Leafs, Canadiens) consistently reach the upper end of the range.
All values in CAD as of February 2026. For the complete denomination price history, see our Canadian Quarter Value Guide.
Most Valuable 2014 Canadian Quarter Varieties
The Charlton Standard Catalogue does not recognize any traditional die varieties — such as doubled dies, repunched dates, or bead varieties — with separate pricing tiers for the 2014 Caribou circulation quarter. Modern Royal Canadian Mint quality-control protocols effectively preclude the widespread survival of major die varieties of the type that characterized mid-20th-century Canadian numismatics. Instead, value and rarity in 2014 operate on two axes: extreme condition rarity at the top end of the grading spectrum for business strikes, and thematic popularity combined with deliberately low mintages for NCLT commemoratives.
A) Trophy-Level — Highest Documented Values
The following examples represent the upper ceiling of verified market realizations for 2014 Canadian 25-cent coins. These are explicitly not typical values; they reflect peak auction or secondary market potential, often driven by competing registry-set builders on a given day.
| What | Why It Commands a Premium | Grade / Condition Required | Documented Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Caribou Business Strike (Multi-Ply Plated Steel) | Extreme condition rarity — automated high-speed production inherently limits flawless survivors. Registry-set builders compete aggressively for top-population designations. | MS-67–MS-68 (PCGS/ICCS top population) | $54.80–$75.00+ |
| 2014 Haunted Canada: Ghost Bride (NCLT) | Lenticular optical-illusion technology generated massive crossover demand well outside traditional collecting circles, vastly outstripping the 15,000-unit mintage and creating a persistent supply bottleneck. | SP-67 / Flawless original packaging & COA | $73.50–$87.83 |
| 2014 NHL Toronto Maple Leafs (NCLT) | Deeply entrenched domestic fanbase combined with a severely low per-franchise mintage of just 6,000 units creates a permanent supply constraint. Fanbase-driven demand floors the price above lower-demand franchise issues. | SP-67 / Original pop-up jersey packaging | $34.30–$40.00+ |
Sources: Coins and Canada (Feb 2026); PCGS Pop Reports (2025/2026).
The 2014 Haunted Canada Ghost Bride 25-cent NCLT coin. Its lenticular plastic overlay creates an optical illusion — the ghostly bride's eyes appear closed at one angle and spring open at another. The combination of this proprietary technology and a 15,000-unit mintage makes it the most valuable non-precious-metal 2014 Canadian quarter, realizing $73.50–$87.83 with intact original packaging. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
B) Findable Finish Variants — Escaped Set Coins
Because collectors break coins out of original Mint sets during estate sales, album-filling, or accidental spending, it is possible to encounter escaped Specimen, Silver Proof, or Proof-Like Caribou quarters in circulation. These represent the most accessible "rare variant" opportunity for the general public — if you have the technical knowledge to identify them.
| Variant | How to Identify (Key Diagnostic) | Why It Is Rare in the Wild | Typical Premium If Found Undamaged |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Specimen Strike (Caribou) | Matte, parallel-lined background fields contrasting with heavily frosted raised devices; sharply squared rims. | Escaped from the tightly controlled 50,000-unit Ferruginous Hawk Specimen Set. Almost never encountered raw. | ~$15.00+ over face value |
| 2014 Silver Proof Strike (Caribou) | Weighs exactly 6.00 g (vs. 4.40 g for steel); non-magnetic; deep liquid mirror fields with heavy device frost. | Escaped from the 25,000-unit Fine Silver Proof Set. Composed of 99.99% pure silver — compositionally distinct. | ~$15.00–$20.00+ (tied to silver spot) |
| 2014 Proof-Like Strike (Caribou) | Brilliant, highly polished mirror fields across the entire coin surface without the heavy device frosting of silver proofs. | Extracted from the 75,000-unit Uncirculated Set. Any contact marks from circulation destroy collector value. | ~$3.00 if absolutely flawless |
A 2014 NHL franchise quarter displayed in its original RCM pop-up jersey packaging. All seven Canadian franchise coins share an identical 6,000-unit mintage, but fanbase demand creates a secondary market premium range of $29.40–$34.30+ (higher-demand franchises at top). Original packaging is an integral part of the product's provenance — coins separated from packaging trade at a significant discount. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
2014 Canadian Quarter Identification Guide
Properly identifying a 2014 Canadian quarter requires more than reading the date. Multiple compositions and finishes share the same 23.88 mm diameter and Caribou design, while the NCLT commemoratives are physically different objects entirely. The following 30-second checklist triages any 2014 25-cent coin from face value to trophy in under a minute.
Standard 2014 Canadian Caribou quarter: obverse showing Susanna Blunt's mature, uncrowned, right-facing portrait of Queen Elizabeth II (Fourth Portrait, used 2003–2022), and the classic Caribou reverse sculpted by Emanuel Hahn (introduced 1937). ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA on obverse; CANADA 2014 and 25 CENTS on reverse. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
30-Second Diagnostic Checklist
- Monarch / Obverse Check: Confirm the obverse shows Queen Elizabeth II. The specific portrait is Susanna Blunt's mature, uncrowned, bare-head effigy facing right — the Fourth Portrait, used from 2003 to 2022. There are no transitional monarch variants for 2014.
- Reverse Design Check: Is the reverse the classic Caribou stag, or a colorized/lenticular image? A painted bird, a glowing prehistoric fish, a lenticular ghost bride, or a hockey logo immediately identifies an NCLT commemorative product — see the NCLT table for values.
- Size Check: Standard Caribou quarters (Business Strike, PL, SP, and Silver Proof) measure 23.88 mm in diameter. NCLT commemoratives measure 35.00 mm. Comparing directly to a standard pocket quarter instantly reveals the difference.
- Edge Check: Standard 23.88 mm Caribou issues have a reeded (milled) edge with distinct vertical grooves. The 35.00 mm NCLT commemoratives have a plain (smooth) edge.
- Magnet Test — Composition Verification:
- Coin sticks firmly to magnet: Multi-ply plated steel — a Business Strike, PL, or SP Caribou. The vast majority of 2014 quarters fall here.
- Coin does NOT stick (23.88 mm): 99.99% fine silver proof. Confirm by weighing: exactly 6.00 g confirms silver; 4.40 g would indicate an anomaly.
- Coin does NOT stick (35.00 mm): Cupronickel NCLT commemorative. Identify the design against the NCLT table above.
- Mint Mark Check: No documented mint marks exist on standard 2014 Canadian circulation quarters. There are no "W" (Winnipeg) mint mark varieties for the 2014 quarter. No documented marks — standard for Canadian circulation coins of this era.
Magnet test for 2014 Canadian quarters: the plated-steel Caribou (left) snaps firmly to a neodymium magnet, while the 99.99% fine silver proof Caribou (right) shows no magnetic attraction. If a standard-size 2014 quarter fails the magnet test, weigh it — 6.00 g confirms silver proof; 4.40 g is standard steel. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
In-Depth Finish Identification
Distinguishing between the four finishes of the 23.88 mm Caribou quarter is the most frequent point of confusion for collectors. Examine the coin under a direct, single-source halogen or LED light and slowly tilt it to observe surface behaviour:
- Business Strike (Circulation): Rolling, swirling "cartwheel" lustre — the luster rotates across the coin as you tilt it. Even coins pulled directly from a mint-sealed bank roll will almost universally display microscopic bag marks and planchet chatter. Any visible wear means face value.
- Proof-Like (PL): Highly polished, brilliant mirror-like background fields (the flat areas between the design). The raised devices (Queen's portrait, Caribou) are also brilliant, with a very faint natural frosting from the polished dies. Found natively in transparent flat pliofilm packaging from the 2014 Uncirculated Set.
- Specimen (SP): The most distinctive finish in modern Canadian numismatics. Background fields are intentionally matte, often displaying fine parallel laser-etched lines — they do not produce a mirror reflection. The raised devices are heavily frosted, creating a stark, elegant contrast. Found in the 2014 Ferruginous Hawk Specimen Set in a leatherette case.
- Silver Proof (PR): Deep, liquid, black-and-white mirror fields with thickly frosted devices — the most dramatic contrast of any finish. In 2014, all Proof 25-cent Caribou quarters are struck in 99.99% fine silver and found only in premium clamshell presentation cases. The non-magnetic test and 6.00 g weight confirm silver composition.
Finish comparison for the 2014 Caribou quarter across all four types: Business Strike (cartwheel lustre, bag marks), Proof-Like (brilliant mirror fields + brilliant devices), Specimen (matte parallel-lined fields + heavily frosted devices), and Silver Proof (deep black-and-white mirror fields + heavy frost). Finish identification is the most critical step in assigning collector value. (Illustration — not a photo of your exact coin)
Common Misidentification Warnings
Two persistent misconceptions require active correction: (1) If a coin features the "Wait for Me, Daddy" image of a young boy reaching for a marching soldier, it is a $2 bi-metallic coin, not a quarter — check the denomination legend. (2) If a circulation quarter features a Red Poppy with centenary dates, check the date carefully — the commemorative Poppy quarter belongs to 2015, not 2014, despite the First World War's 100th anniversary falling in the latter year.
2014 Canadian Quarter Value FAQs
What is a 2014 Canadian quarter worth?
A circulated 2014 Canadian Caribou quarter is worth its face value of $0.25. In Brilliant Uncirculated condition (MS-60–MS-63), it trades for $0.50–$0.90. The value escalates sharply at Choice Uncirculated (MS-64: $7.80) and reaches $54.80–$75.00+ for top-certified MS-67/MS-68 examples. Collector-set versions (PL, SP, Silver Proof) and NCLT commemoratives carry their own separate value scales — see the tables above for specific grades and designs.
Is a 2014 Canadian quarter rare?
The standard circulation Caribou quarter is not rare — 97,440,000 were struck, making high-quality survivors statistically improbable but not impossible. Truly flawless examples at MS-67 or higher are genuinely condition-scarce due to the mechanical bag-marking inherent in modern high-speed production. NCLT commemoratives are far rarer by design, ranging from just 6,000 (individual NHL franchise coins) to 30,000 (Tiktaalik). The Silver Proof was capped at 25,000 sets, and the Specimen at 50,000 sets.
What makes a 2014 Canadian quarter valuable?
Four variables govern value: (1) Condition rarity — business strikes only earn meaningful premiums above MS-64; below that, they trade near face value; (2) Finish and packaging isolation — PL, SP, and Silver Proof coins carry premiums tied to their specialized production and original sealed packaging; (3) Silver content — the 99.99% fine silver proof carries a permanent bullion floor above face value; and (4) NCLT thematic demand — the Ghost Bride's lenticular technology and the NHL franchise coins' ultra-low mintages create sustained collector demand that can substantially exceed original retail pricing.
Is my 2014 Canadian quarter silver?
Standard 2014 circulation quarters are multi-ply plated steel — they contain no silver and will firmly stick to a magnet. Only coins from the 2014 Fine Silver Proof Set are struck in 99.99% pure silver. To confirm: a silver proof is non-magnetic and weighs exactly 6.00 grams. A standard steel quarter weighs 4.40 grams. When in doubt, apply a magnet first; if non-magnetic, use a precision jeweller's scale as the definitive secondary check.
What is the Ghost Bride coin, and why is it so valuable?
The 2014 Haunted Canada Ghost Bride is a 35.00 mm cupronickel NCLT quarter sold by the Royal Canadian Mint in a clamshell case. It features a lenticular plastic overlay that creates an optical illusion: the ghostly bride appears with closed eyes at one viewing angle and with eyes suddenly open at another. Its secondary market value of $60.00–$73.50 (with original packaging intact) — and trophy realizations documented up to $87.83 — stem from its innovative technology, massive crossover appeal beyond traditional coin collectors, and a relatively tight 15,000-unit mintage. Coins separated from original packaging trade at a significant discount.
What is the difference between a PL, SP, and Proof finish?
All three are collector-only finishes, but they look very different. A Proof-Like (PL) coin has highly polished, brilliant mirror-like background fields; it was packaged flat in pliofilm from the 2014 Uncirculated Set ($3.00 at PL-67). A Specimen (SP) coin has intentionally matte, parallel-lined fields contrasting with heavily frosted raised devices — a stark, elegant aesthetic; it came from the 2014 Ferruginous Hawk Specimen Set ($16.60 at SP-67). A Silver Proof (PR) has deep black-and-white mirror fields with the heaviest device frosting — and is additionally distinguished by 99.99% fine silver composition and non-magnetic properties ($16.60 at PR-67).
Should I get my 2014 Canadian quarter graded by ICCS or PCGS?
Grading submission fees typically run $30–$50 CAD per coin depending on the service and tier chosen. For business strikes, this cost is only justified for examples that appear to be MS-65 or higher — since grades below that level trade near face value. In the domestic Canadian market, ICCS and CCCS are the benchmark services for strict technical grading and are well-respected within Canadian collecting circles. PCGS and NGC (US-based) utilize sonically sealed hard-plastic slabs and often drive aggressive premiums at international auctions, particularly for top-pop MS-67 and MS-68 designations sought by registry-set builders. For NCLT commemoratives, professional grading adds provenance credibility but is not always necessary for standard resale if the coin is in original mint packaging.
Did a Poppy quarter come out in 2014?
No. Despite the 100th anniversary of the First World War beginning in 2014, the commemorative Poppy circulation quarter bearing centenary dates was released in 2015, not 2014. Previous 25-cent circulation Poppy issues occurred only in 2004, 2008, and 2010. The sole circulation-strike 25-cent design for calendar year 2014 is the standard Caribou. If you have a Poppy quarter dated to the First World War centenary period, check the date carefully — it will read 2015.
What was the "Wait for Me, Daddy" coin in 2014?
The "Wait for Me, Daddy" coin — commemorating the iconic 1940 photograph of a young boy reaching for his marching father in New Westminster, British Columbia — was issued in 2014 as a two-dollar ($2) bi-metallic circulation coin with a mintage of five million, not as a quarter. This is a widespread misconception, particularly because the image was heavily publicized. If you hold a coin depicting this scene, check the denomination legend: it will confirm $2, not 25 cents.
Methodology & Sources
Values in this guide represent typical consensus market prices as of February 2026 in Canadian Dollars (CAD), cross-referenced against the following primary numismatic authorities:
- Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins (Volume 1, Numismatic Issues, 2025 Edition) — mintage data, variety classification, Specimen/Proof-Like categorization protocols.
- Coins and Canada (coinsandcanada.com) — real-time retail tracking, condition pricing, and NCLT secondary market trends (February 2026).
- NGC Coin Explorer — comparative international market values and Silver Proof specifications (February 2026).
- PCGS CoinFacts / PCGS Price Guide — top-population auction realization data and grade-ceiling metrics for MS-67/MS-68 business strikes (2025/2026).
- Royal Canadian Mint (mint.ca) — official specifications, original issue mandates, audited mintage closures, and NCLT product archives.
- ICCS and CCCS Population Reports (2025 data) — domestic grading scarcity metrics and survival rates for high-grade plated steel.
- Numista Global Catalog — secondary confirmation of NCLT physical dimensions and cupronickel specifications.
Prices represent typical market values and may vary based on grade interpretation, packaging integrity, and current market conditions. Silver melt value calculations are illustrative and tied to spot prices that fluctuate daily. This guide covers standard and collector issues only; mint errors are outside scope. All values 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.