Only three 1911 silver dollar patterns exist — the legendary “Emperor of Canadian Coins.” Struck at the Royal Mint in London after Canada abandoned its silver-dollar plans, they are the rarest coins in Canadian numismatics and have sold for over $1 million CAD.
Key facts
- Canada planned a silver dollar in 1910–1911 but abandoned circulation production; dies for the pattern were cut at the Royal Mint in England.
- The Bank of Canada Museum describes two silver specimens and one lead trial strike; another published account describes the third piece as bronze.
- One example sold for $1 million in 2003; a later example reportedly fetched over $1.1 million CAD — the record for a Canadian coin.
- A third specimen was acquired by the Bank of Canada Museum in 2021, described by the museum’s curator as Canada’s “greatest rarity.”
- Counterfeits of this coin exist and have appeared at auction — it has no business being bought uncertified.
Market check
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