Well, it seems the search results you provided are playing a bit coy, showing us the shiny storefronts of coin pricing guides but not the actual price tags in the window. Since that context is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine, let's disregard it and get down to brass tacks—or in this case, a 50% silver alloy.
The value of your 1972 Canadian silver dollar really depends on two things: the mood of the precious metals market and how much of a life the coin has lived. Its rock-bottom, can't-go-any-lower value is its silver melt value. These dollars contain 0.375 troy ounces of silver. To find its base worth, you just multiply that number by the current spot price of silver. So, if silver is trading at, say, $30 an ounce, your coin has a metal value of about $11.25.
Now, is it a rare treasure that will fund your retirement? Probably not. Canada minted over 2 million of these, so they aren't exactly scarce. A typical coin that has been circulated—meaning it has some dings, scratches, and has seen the inside of a pocket or two—is usually worth just a bit more than its silver content.
However, if you happen to have a pristine, uncirculated specimen that looks like it just rolled off the minting press yesterday, you're in for a better payday. Collectors will pay a premium for top-condition coins. A brilliant uncirculated 1972 dollar could fetch anywhere from $20 to $30, and even more if it's been professionally graded and given a high score. So, the better it looks, the more it's worth.
