In Canada, a dime is a coin worth ten cents. It has been the physically smallest Canadian coin since 1922; it is smaller even than the penny, despite its higher face value. According to the Royal Canadian Mint, the official national term of the coin is the 10-cent piece, but in practice, the term dime predominates in English-speaking Canada. It is nearly identical in size to the American dime. Unlike its American counterpart, the Canadian dime is magnetic due to a distinct metal composition. From 1968 to 1999, it was composed entirely of nickel, and since 2000, it has consisted of a steel core with plating composed of layers of nickel and copper.
A 1955 dime featuring Queen Elizabeth II
Image: CANADA, VICTORIA 1858 10 CENTS CANADA'S FIRST DIME b Flickr woody 1778a
Image: CANADA, VICTORIA 1858 10 CENTS CANADA'S FIRST DIME a Flickr woody 1778a
Image: CANADA, GEORGE V 1917 10 CENTS b Flickr woody 1778a
The Royal Canadian Mint is the mint of Canada and a Crown corporation, operating under the Royal Canadian Mint Act. The shares of the Mint are held in trust for the Crown in right of Canada.
Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint building at 320 Sussex Drive in Ottawa
Historical panel to the Mint in Ottawa, erected by the National Capital Commission
Security officer overseeing a boy with real golden bar in Royal Canadian Mint museum, Ottawa