1968 Canada Elizabeth II, silver .500 10 Cents

About the 1968 Canada Elizabeth II, silver .500 10 Cents

Struck at the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa, this short-lived composition bridges the long tradition of sterling-era Canadian coinage and the base metal coins that followed. The obverse features the second portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin, which depicts a more mature monarch wearing a tiara, a significant departure from the youthful laureate effigy of earlier issues. The reverse retains Emanuel Hahn's celebrated depiction of the Bluenose, the legendary Nova Scotian racing schooner that had become a national symbol of Canadian maritime heritage and seafaring skill. Because the .500 silver pieces share an identical design with their nickel counterparts, collectors must distinguish them by composition, typically through a magnet test, since the nickel coins are attracted to a magnet while the silver ones are not. This subtle distinction gives the type particular appeal to specialists assembling complete type sets and to those interested in the history of Canada's transition away from silver coinage.