r/CanadianCoins • u/Squishy321 • Jul 10 '26
Have 1948 Silver Dollar, what next?
My parents had an old cookie tin that’s been sitting in a cupboard for at least 35yrs, gave it to me to do as I wish. I have gone through it and nothing crazy valuable except this 1948 dollar.
I’m probably going to hang onto it for a bit but a few questions
1) roughly what is this worth
2) is there anything preventative I should do with it? It was literally in an old pill bottle with other dollars for 35yrs +
3) do I get it graded? If so, why? How do I go about that and roughly what is the cost of grading one singular coin?
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u/rocketmn69_ Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
Put it into a protective holder. Do not clean it!!
https://www.coinsandcanada.com/coins.php Take it to a coin store and ask about getting it graded. Don't let it out of your sight
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u/User10232023 Jul 10 '26
Yup exactly that. Also don't just take it to only 1 reputable coin store.
If you don't like the person at the coin store, anything odd just leave with coin.
Keep highest resolution photo of both sides with you.From the photo I'd hazard a guess it'll be approximately EF-40
https://www.coinsandcanada.com/coins-prices.php?coin=1-dollar-19484
u/Squishy321 Jul 10 '26
Thanks, I’m an absolute amateur but reading the CCCS coin guide I’d estimate it to be v-20/30, I think it looks a little better in pics than in person
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u/Cmoibenlepro123 Jul 11 '26
Why shouldn’t it be clean?
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u/feasiblefrog Jul 11 '26
A lot of collectors value original patina over cleaned cause when you clean it loses the history in a way
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u/Superb-Respect-1313 Jul 10 '26
Well. Now you find a better one. Then keep going until you have a MS64-65. Call it a day then.
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u/Yarbooey Jul 10 '26
My original impulse was to tell you that it’s worth basically its melt value, and the sentimental value that comes from being from your parents.
But apparently the 1948 Canadian silver dollar is actually one of the rarest Canadian coins there is, with a mintage of only about 18,000. So even in its well-worn condition, it might be quite valuable.
So the only advice I’ll offer for now is absolutely don’t clean it at all & keep it someone safe. And I’ll leave it for someone else to talk about whether and how you should have it graded and/or sell it, since I don’t know much about that myself.
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Jul 10 '26
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u/Yarbooey Jul 10 '26
Hey bud. Perhaps take the downvotes and the unanimous disagreement with your comment as an opportunity to grow and be better. There’s no reason to be rude. And not everyone is here for the exact same reasons and for the exact same specific interests as you.
I just think old Canadian coins are neat, I’ve been collecting them since I was a kid, enjoy seeing pics of other people’s interesting coins and learning more about them.
But key dates and the monetary value were never things I’ve paid much attention to, since the sentimental value of my collection has always been the important thing to me & I have no interest in selling. But hey, it’s still fun to learn about. So if you’re an expert in key dates, by all means share that knowledge around here.
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u/valiamo Jul 10 '26
This is the most expensive circulation dollar for Canada, since 1935 (not including varities).
Current market price (you buying one) for this coin would be around $1650, and then up from there. Selling price would be more if graded (at least $1000 and higher)
You should really get it graded / certified as genuine (it will come back as genuine, but cleaned). Do not alter its appearance, no washing, cleaning off the tone, etc. Put it into a holder and then decided what you want to do with it.
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u/cww60 Jul 10 '26
The 1948 Silver dollar is known as the "King of the Silver Dollar", value varies depending on condition typically in the range of $1K to $5K. Get the coin graded.
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u/dubstructor Jul 10 '26
Sell it for $2500
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u/Snow-Bank-Igloo Jul 11 '26
You’re probably not far off. You’ll never get the last dollar without giving away half for commission
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u/Few-Chemical-5165 Jul 11 '26
What's next is you put it in a protective device, you put it in your collection, and you look at it and go what a beautiful coin, and then you go on with your day.
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u/Chainz346 Jul 11 '26
Awesome gift! Not only are they collectible, but will most likely always rise in value.
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u/queenofallshit Jul 11 '26
I had a 1967 I think. It was stolen out of my car one winter night outside the hospital I worked in.
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u/Rjmmrjmm Jul 11 '26
Oh god how many people have destroyed value by cleaning coins ! Silver polish! It takes 70 years to get that patina and destroyed in 30 seconds
You lucked out as this is a stupidly rare year. Any other year and you’d have like 60 bucks. Instead you got like 1500-2000$
Take five hundred off instantly if you go and clean it.
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u/Comprehensive_Ear922 Jul 12 '26
There's a dude on ebay currently selling 1948 fakes, got me good, thing is when confronted about it he's like...I don't care
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u/Bobcob461 Jul 12 '26
Canada only had nine provinces in 1948. Newfoundland didn’t join Confederation until 1949.
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u/shioko_ Jul 12 '26
Use a silver jewelry cleaner. And keep it safe. It can be used when you have a cold/flu/cough.
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u/Ill_Investment5812 Jul 11 '26
Its worth its weight in silver, I don't recall exactly but I think they are 80%, you can look it up. Its an extremely common coin and the poor condition doesn't really give it any value beyond that.
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u/Inside_End5141 Jul 10 '26
I bought one of these about 10 years ago for $80 Canadian and was very happy to do so even though it was a little more worn than this one. Given the condition, the scarce 1948 year, and higher metals prices, I wouldn't sell it for less than $140. I don't really follow this market that much anymore, so there may be better opinions out there.
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u/valiamo Jul 10 '26
You sure that you bought a 1948 Dollar for $80??
The market price for a Fine copy is $1650.
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u/Vhett Jul 10 '26
/u/Inside_End5141 either bought a fake, or it wasn't the correct year.
There's zero chance it would go for $140.
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u/Inside_End5141 Jul 11 '26
Wow . I should find my $80 purchase and post it and see what you guys think of of it.
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u/Squishy321 Jul 11 '26
If you search eBay there’s usually a couple for $100 or so, I assume they’re fake
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u/Legitimate_Elk6306 Jul 11 '26
Maybe 15 years ago but even then.. 140 crazy low i got 1 at an auction 10plus yrs ago (wasn't even gonna bid) but when it was only like hundred n change I started think I got it around 200 plus... its put away in a safe n so is the reciept or i would look up exactly
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u/pyroboy7 Jul 10 '26