Coinage of Canada has changed quite a few times over the years, after first being introduced in 1858. The ten cent coin, or dime, is one coin that is used everyday by individuals visiting the country or those who call Canada home. Ten cent coins can be quite collectible, with coin collectors seeking out the most unique ten cent coins from the 1800s to 1900s and today.
The Canadian dime is almost identical in size when compared to the American counterpart and is the smallest coin produced in Canada. The Canadian dime is actually magnetic due to the metal composition. From the years 1968 until 1999, the coin was comprised of almost all nickel, which made the coin magnetic. From 2000, the composition of the coin changed to a high steel content.
Currently, the ten cent coin has an image of Her Majesty the Queen on the obverse side and a Bluenose schooner on the reverse. The schooner image was designed by Emmanuel Hahn with the coin being produced by the Royal Canadian Mint facility in Winnipeg today. Get to know the history of the coin from 1910 to 1919 below.
1911 10 Cent Coin
In 1911, the ten cent coin would change its look on the obverse side as George V came into power. The coins featuring George V would show a left facing portrait. The term DEI GRATIA in Latin which means ‘God’s Grace’ would be eliminated from the obverse side which caused an outrage with the public. The coins were referred to by the public as Godless coins and by 1912, the term would be applied to the coin once again. The coins from 1911 actually have value due to the heated controversy.
1913 10 Cent Coins
The early ten cent coins produced in 1913 have a broad leaf design which is the same design that was used in 1909 until 1912. Later on in 1913, the Royal Canadian Mint would decide to use a new design of the wreath leaves where the leaves are smaller and have less veining. There is also a wider gap from the rim to the leaves. This new design was used until 1936. The broad leaf design from 1913 is much rarer than the coins that were produced with the smaller leaf design.
Composition of 10 Cent Coins
During this decade, the composition of the ten cent coins would change ever-so slightly. The coins would still be composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper but the weight would change from 2.32 grams to 2.33 grams. The diameter would remain the same at 18.034 mm.
Mass Production
The ten cent coins would be mass produced from 1910 until 1919 where the Royal Canadian Mint created millions of dimes each year except for 1915 when production numbers were lower.
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Year
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Number of Mintages
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1910
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4,468,331
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1911
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2,737,584
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1912
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2,234,557
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1913
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3,613,937
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1914
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2,549,811
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1915
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688,057
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1916
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4,218,114
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1917
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5,011,988
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1918
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5,133,602
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1919
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7,877,722
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As you can see, the dime changed quite a bit during this time frame. Coins can have quite the value from 1910-1919 if in quality condition and meeting certain specifications.
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