With gold and silver prices reaching all-time highs, Canada Gold locations from Vancouver to Halifax are busier than ever. People are digging into safety deposit boxes, cleaning out attics, and finally tackling those inherited coin collections they’ve been meaning to evaluate. And they’re showing up at our stores in record numbers.
With so much interest in selling precious metals, it’s not uncommon to find lineups or busy waiting rooms at Canada Gold stores. But with just a little preparation before your visit, you can help speed up the process – and may even walk away a little more informed about your own collection.
You Don’t Need to Be an Expert – But a Bit of Prep Helps
At Canada Gold, you don’t have to be a collector, hobbyist, or appraiser to sell your items. Our expert buyers are trained to evaluate both common and rare coins quickly and professionally. But if you’re looking to get in and out as efficiently as possible, taking a few minutes to organize your collection before you come in can go a long way.
One of the biggest time-savers? Sorting coins by silver content.
Why Silver Content Matters
Most Canadian silver coins from the 1940s through the 1960s are valued primarily on their silver content, not on individual collector value. With today’s historically high silver prices, these coins are usually assessed by weight based on the current spot price of silver, rather than their individual dates or denominations.
So instead of spending hours sorting coins by year, a better strategy is grouping them by silver fineness. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you:
- .800 Fine Silver: Silver dollars (1935–1967), half dollars (1920–1967), dimes and quarters (1920–1966)
- .630 Fine Silver (average): 1967 dimes and quarters
- .500 Fine Silver: 1968 dimes and quarters (non-magnetic only)
- .925 Fine Silver: All dimes, quarters, and half dollars dated 1919 and earlier
Even if you’re unsure of the exact fineness, sorting by denomination and era can still help streamline the process.
Spotting the Standouts: Rare Coins and High Grades
Some coins from older decades may have special attributes that give them a higher value than their metal content alone—such as a low mintage year or a minting error. While our team at Canada Gold is trained to spot these rarities and document them appropriately, having your collection somewhat organized makes it easier to isolate anything special during the evaluation. That means a faster experience for you, with fewer bottlenecks – and no chance of missing something important.
It’s All About Making It Seamless
A bit of preparation on your part can mean:
- Faster service, with fewer delays at busy stores
- Clearer evaluation, as items are easier to inspect
- A better experience overall, especially during peak times
At Canada Gold, our nationwide team of expert buyers is committed to making sure you’re treated fairly, professionally, and efficiently—whether you’re selling a small bag of coins or an entire estate collection.
With the market this hot, now is a great time to turn those old coins into cash. And with a few quick steps to get organized before you visit, you’ll help make the transaction faster, smoother, and potentially even more rewarding.
