1953 – 10 Cents Dime Canada – NSF

The 1953 Canadian 10 cents coin, known as the NSF variety, was minted with a mintage of 17,706,395 pieces and is composed of 80% silver and 20% copper, weighing 2.33 grams. It features on the obverse a bust of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a laurel wreath, designed by Mary Gillick, with the inscription “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA.” The reverse side shows a stylized sailing schooner, the Bluenose, with tall sails flying as it sails the open sea, designed by Emanuel Hahn, and includes the inscriptions “CANADA,” the year “1953,” and the denomination “10 CENTS.” The coin is non-magnetic with reeded edges and has a diameter of 18.03 mm and a thickness of 1.16 mm. The NSF variety is distinguished by serifed I’s on the obverse inscription. The coin was struck by the Royal Canadian Mint with both circulation and specimen finishes available, and its silver content gives it a melt value around 3.70 CAD as of September 2025.