The rarest regular-issue Canadian silver dollar exists because of a constitutional technicality and a slow boat. When India became independent in August 1947, George VI stopped being Emperor of India, and the Latin ET IND IMP had to come off Canadian coinage. The new master dies had to come from London, they arrived late, and by the time the Royal Canadian Mint could strike proper 1948 dollars the year was nearly over. The count stopped at 18,780, the lowest of the series by a wide margin.
The fraud that chases this coin is date alteration, most commonly a 1949 dollar reworked to read 1948, and the premium makes the effort worthwhile for the dishonest. Canadian collectors lean on ICCS alongside PCGS and NGC, and for this date a holder from one of them is effectively part of the coin.
Canada's answer to the 1916-D: the date everyone learns first and buys last. The checklist is short because the market has already written it - certified or no deal, and the date digits under magnification before anything else. An honest, worn, certified 1948 is a landmark coin in any Canadian collection.
| Issue | Mint | Mintage |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 Canadian Silver Dollar | Ottawa | 18,780 |
Mintage figures: United States Mint (Annual Report of the Director of the Mint) and Royal Canadian Mint records, cross-checked across independent published references. Specifications: United States Mint coin specifications.