Date & Variety Diagnostics King George VI
Melt & Numismatic Valuation
Full 4 Waterlines Reverse Diagnostic
Complete undisturbed strike showing 4 horizontal ripples on right bow of canoe.
Metallurgy, Die Polishing Physics & Mintage Chronology
80% Crown Specie Formula
The Canadian Currency Act established the 800 fine standard for silver coinage in 1920. The actual silver weight ($W_{ASW}$) is determined strictly by:
The 20% copper balance imparts structural rigidity, resisting the excessive rim deformation common in softer 90% and 92.5% sterling predecessors.
Die Basining & Basal Polishing
When press operators noticed clashing (impressions of the King's effigy onto the canoe field), they used rotary emery laps and diamond paste to polish the die faces.
Because the waterlines were delicate recessed channels only 0.04 mm deep on the master dies, polishing removed the outermost lines first. This yielded the famous 3-waterline and 2.5-waterline "Arnprior" varieties.
1947–1948 Imperial Crisis
The partition of British India in August 1947 rendered George VI's title "GEORGIVS VI D:G:REX ET IND:IMP" legally obsolete.
Because new royal cypher punches were delayed in the Royal Mint London, Ottawa modified the existing 1947 reverse with a tiny raised Maple Leaf next to the 7. Striking of the true 1948 coins was delayed until late autumn, restricting production to just 18,780 pieces.
Verified Benchmark Auction Case Studies
Superb frosty blast-white luster with zero contact bag marks on the canoe bundle.
Extremely rare curved 7 tail with needle-sharp maple leaf diagnostic punch.
Clear 2.5 waterlines showing full die polish erasure and vibrant sunset rim toning.
Frequently Asked Questions: Canadian Voyageur Silver Dollars
What is the exact silver weight and purity of a Canadian Voyageur silver dollar?
Circulation Canadian silver dollars struck between 1935 and 1967 weigh 23.3276 grams (0.75 troy oz) of 80.0% pure silver and 20.0% copper alloy. This standard delivers an Actual Silver Weight (ASW) of exactly 0.600 troy ounces (18.662 grams) of pure silver.
Why is the 1948 Canadian silver dollar so rare and valuable?
Following the independence of India in 1947, King George VI ceased to be Emperor of India, requiring the removal of "IND:IMP" from Canadian dies. While modified master dies were crafted at the Royal Mint in London, the Ottawa Mint issued 1947-dated coins with a tiny Maple Leaf. When the official 1948 dies finally arrived, production was limited to only 18,780 pieces, establishing 1948 as Canada's most sought-after regular circulation silver dollar.
What causes the "Arnprior" waterlines variety on Canadian silver dollars?
The Arnprior variety was created when mint technicians aggressively polished reverse dies to erase clash marks caused by striking without a planchet. This abrasion ground away the fine horizontal waterlines to the right of the canoe. In 1955, an order of 2,000 dollars delivered to the Arnprior Mill in Ontario displayed 2.5 waterlines. Similar die polishing varieties occur in 1950 and 1952.
Who designed the iconic Canadian Voyageur dollar reverse?
The Voyageur motif was modeled by Toronto sculptor Emanuel Hahn (1881–1957) for King George V's 1935 Silver Jubilee. It portrays a French voyageur and an Indigenous guide in a birchbark canoe carrying trade furs labeled "HB" (Hudson's Bay Company), flanked by vertical stylized Northern Lights beams.
How do you distinguish 1947 Pointed 7 vs Blunt 7 Canadian dollars?
Examine the terminal tip of the digit "7" in 1947. The Pointed 7 variant has an angular triangular point directed toward the outer bead border, while the Blunt 7 features a flat horizontal or vertical squared terminal. The Pointed 7 with the Maple Leaf and Quadruple HP initials is among the most prized Canadian rarities.
Are 1967 Canadian Centennial Confederation dollars 80% or 50% silver?
Every 1967 Centennial silver dollar struck with Alex Colville's swimming Canada Goose reverse was made from 80% silver (0.600 oz ASW). While 1967 dimes and quarters transitioned mid-year to 50% silver due to soaring silver bullion prices, the 1-dollar pieces were never struck in 50% silver.
How does die clashing appear on Canadian Voyageur dollars?
When the dies meet without a silver planchet between them, the profile of King George VI or Queen Elizabeth transfers onto the reverse die. On struck specimens, the King's neckline, collar, or ear appears faintly behind the voyageur or through the sky, creating valuable die clash varieties.