By 1966, Canadian silver coinage was in its final chapter. Rising silver prices had made the 80% silver quarter worth more in metal than face value, and the federal government moved swiftly — 1967 brought a reduced .500 fineness, and by 1968 the quarter had gone fully to nickel. These 1965–66 pieces were among the last Canadian quarters struck at the traditional 80% standard that had held since 1920.
The 1965 issue is notable for a documented large-bead versus small-bead obverse variety tied to the transitional refinement of Machin's second portrait of Elizabeth II.
By 1966, Canadian silver coinage was in its final chapter. Rising silver prices had made the 80% silver quarter worth more in metal than face value, and the federal government moved swiftly — 1967 brought a reduced .500 fineness, and by 1968 the quarter had gone fully to nickel. These 1965–66 pieces were among the last Canadian quarters struck at the traditional 80% standard that had held since 1920.
The 1965 issue is notable for a documented large-bead versus small-bead obverse variety tied to the transitional refinement of Machin's second portrait of Elizabeth II.