Expert: Brad Swain - 3/10/2010

Question
I have a collection of ~100 Canadian $2.00 bills Pre-'70s. They are in fair - excellent condition. Is there a significant market for the? I also have a bag of ~200 Canadian silver quarters Pre-'70s (before they started using nickel). I understand they are worth significantly more, even for silver value alone. Suggestions on value?

Answer
Hi Gary, Collector value of a note depends on date, signatures and condition, including amount of wear, any folds, tears or stains as well as collector demand.
The early 1954 issues have a 'devil's face' in the hair by the queen's ear. These are worth a bit more than the corrected version with the same date depending on signature, amount of wear and collector demand.
Let me know which you have and the signature names and I can give you an estimate of its value.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.

Canadian silver quarters were last dated 1968. Quarters made of nickel also began in 1968 and are magnetic.
Quarters thru 1967 contain .15 of an ounce of silver while the 1968 silver quarters contain .094 of an ounce of silver.
Current gold and silver values: http://www.kitco.com/market/ .
Collector value depends on date, number minted and condition of a coin, including amount of wear, any dents, scratches or cleaning as well as collector demand for it.
Ones in the 1950's begin to have more collector value than just the silver value.
You might also try a library for copies of the Standard Catalog of World Coins, Coins of Canada, or Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad