Top 5 Key Date Canadian Quarters Every Collector Should Know

Canadian quarters have been circulating in pockets and collections for more than 150 years — from Queen Victoria’s first silver issues to modern nickel pieces we still see in change today.
But among the millions minted, a handful stand out for their rarity, history, and the unique stories behind them.

These are the five Canadian quarters that every collector should know about — and the stories that make them so fascinating.

#1 1870 No Mintmark Quarter – The Beginning of It All

The story of Canadian quarters starts here.
When Canada introduced its first 25-cent piece in 1870, the coins were struck in London at the Royal Mint. Most have a small “H” mintmark, meaning they were made at the Heaton Mint in Birmingham — but a smaller batch was struck without the “H.”

Those “No Mintmark” coins are the very first of their kind.
Imagine the first Canadians to hold one — brand new currency for a brand new country, just three years after Confederation.

Today, finding one in Very Fine (VF) condition or better is a serious challenge. Most were worn down from daily use in an era when a quarter could buy a full meal.

#2 1906 Small Crown – The Mistake That Became a Legend

The 1906 Small Crown is one of those magical coins that exists because of a tiny mistake.
That year, someone at the Royal Mint used an older obverse die — one with a slightly smaller crown above King Edward VII’s head. It looked almost identical at a glance, but collectors quickly noticed the difference.

The mint corrected the die partway through the run, making the Small Crown variety extremely rare.

For decades, this coin was barely known outside serious numismatic circles. But as information spread, its legend grew.
Today, even worn examples fetch thousands of dollars, and it’s one of Canada’s “Big Five” key dates.

#3 1936 Dot Quarter – The Coin That Never Was

The story of the 1936 Dot coins sounds almost like a myth.
After King George V passed away, the Mint was waiting for dies bearing George VI’s portrait. In the meantime, they struck a few coins dated 1936 — adding a tiny dot below the date to mark them as struck in 1937.

The dies were prepared, but almost no coins ever made it into public hands.
Only five 1936 Dot quarters are known to exist today, each one worth well into six figures.

One sits in the National Currency Collection in Ottawa; another is rumored to have surfaced in the U.S. years later.
They are the stuff of Canadian coin-collecting legend — a “holy grail” for those who love both history and mystery.

#4 1947 Maple Leaf – When Canada Updated Its Identity

This one tells a story of Canada changing on the world stage.
In 1947, India became independent — but the dies for Canada’s coins still called King George VI the “Emperor of India.”
Instead of scrapping everything, the Mint kept using the same dies and added a tiny maple leaf beside the date to show that they were technically struck in 1948.

It’s a simple symbol, but an important one — marking a shift in Canada’s identity as part of a modern Commonwealth rather than an empire.

Collectors love the 1947 Maple Leaf for that reason.
It’s affordable, beautiful, and steeped in history. There are a few varieties (like the “Blunt 7” and “Pointed 7”), but every one tells the same story of Canada coming into its own.

#5 1991 Quarter – The Coin That Vanished Into Hoards

This one’s modern — but it’s got a wild backstory.
In 1991, the Royal Canadian Mint didn’t plan to make many quarters because so many 1990 coins were still sitting in bank vaults.
They struck just 459,000 pieces, mostly for circulation — and that’s it.

By the time people realized how few were out there, most had already disappeared into circulation. Word spread fast among collectors, and Canadians started checking their pockets and coin jars.
Before long, they were gone — hoarded by anyone lucky enough to find one.

Today, even circulated examples sell for several times face value, and mint rolls are nearly impossible to find.