Silver Dollars By The Numbers - Update

About two years ago, I put together a breakdown of the RCM's NCLT commemorative silver dollars (36mm size) that listed the number of different designs that have been issued as well as the total number of releases once all versions (i.e., proof, brilliant uncirculated, specimen, etc.) are included. You can see the original tally and ensuing dialogue here: https://goccf.com/t/112883

In the original post, I identified 58 design types and 103 total coins. Since then, the RCM has released 6 new silver dollar design types and the total number of releases/versions has climbed to 114.

Following is the updated breakdown:

Available Individually

• Annual Standard Edition, Specimen: 10 (1971-1980) - features 10 distinct design types


• Annual Standard Edition, BU: 34 (1981-2014) - features 34 distinct design types


• Annual Standard Edition, Proof: 34 (1981-2014) - same design types as BU coins


• Annual Standard Edition, Enameled: 2 (2005, 2007) - same


• Special Edition, Proof: 16 (1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 [2], 2011, 2012 [2], 2013 [2]) - 16 distinct design types, 2 in high-relief (2008, 2010)


• Special Edition, Enameled: 2 (2006, 2010) - 1 distinct design type (2010), 1 same (2006)


• Special Edition, Selectively Gold-Plated: 2 (2008, 2009) - 2 distinct design types

Available Only As Part of a Set

• Special Edition, Gold-Plated, Full: 1 (2002) - same design as BU coin


• Special Edition, Proof: 1 (2003) - 1 distinct design type


• Annual Standard Edition, Privy-Marked: 1 (2004) - same


• Annual Standard Edition, Selectively Gold-Plated: 10 (2005-2014) - - " same


• Annual Standard Edition, Specimen: 1 (2013) - - " same

Note: Bold highlight denotes a number that went into overall totals (either 64 design types, or 114 total coins)


This attractive, ongoing series celebrates Canadian history and carries on the tradition of Canada's first commemorative coin - the 1935 silver dollar that marked the 25th anniversary of King George V's ascension to the throne of England. The RCM considers the annual silver dollar to be its "flagship" coin and one that is targeted to the more traditional collectors among its customers.

I enjoy keeping my set up-to-date each year and plan on doing so as long as I'm around to enjoy them!