Among Canadian silver dollars, the 1945 Dollar holds a special place. With a remarkably low mintage and several sought-after varieties, it is considered one of the key dates of the George VI series. Whether you're a collector building a high-grade set or an investor interested in scarce Canadian silver coins, the 1945 Dollar is a must-have.
A Surprisingly Low Mintage
Only 38,391 circulation pieces were struck in 1945, making it one of the lowest-mintage regular-issue Voyageur Dollars ever produced. Many examples entered circulation, and finding attractive original coins today is increasingly difficult. As a result, collector demand has remained consistently strong for decades.
An Important Year for the Royal Canadian Mint
The 1945 issue marked a subtle but significant change in production. It was the first year the Royal Canadian Mint used chromium-plated, highly polished dies for silver dollars. These new dies produced coins with a different appearance than earlier issues, often displaying a softer, less flashy lustre despite excellent preservation.
Classic Voyageur Design
The reverse features the iconic Voyageur design by Emanuel Hahn, depicting a voyageur and a First Nations guide paddling a canoe. Introduced on Canada's first silver dollar in 1935, this design remains one of the country's most recognizable coin motifs.
The obverse displays King George VI, designed by Thomas Humphrey Paget, whose portrait appears on Canadian coinage from 1937 to 1952.
Key Specifications
- Composition: 80% silver, 20% copper
- Weight: 23.33 g
- Pure silver content: 18.664 g
- Diameter: 36 mm
- Edge: Reeded
- Magnetic: No
Valuable Varieties
The 1945 Dollar is especially popular because of several collectible die varieties:
- 1945 5/5 (repunched date)
- Double HP
- Double 45
- J.O.P. Counterstamp (Type 1)
These varieties can command significant premiums, particularly in certified Mint State grades. The elusive J.O.P. Type 1 is among the most desirable.
A True Condition Rarity
Although every genuine 1945 Dollar is desirable, gem-quality examples are exceptionally scarce. Certified MS64 and above become dramatically more valuable, and top-grade pieces have realized tens of thousands of dollars at major auctions. This makes the 1945 Dollar one of the premier condition rarities in Canadian numismatics.
Why Collect the 1945 Dollar?
The 1945 Canadian Silver Dollar combines everything collectors look for:
- One of the lowest mintages in the Voyageur Dollar series.
- Historic post-war issue.
- Iconic Canadian design.
- Multiple collectible varieties.
- Strong demand across all grades.
- Exceptional long-term collector appeal.
Whether you're assembling a complete George VI set or investing in premium Canadian numismatics, the 1945 Silver Dollar remains one of the finest key-date coins produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.